My fellow vapers HOW TO PUT DOWN THE ANALOGS?

[Recycled Roadkill]

Not making suggestions here, just sharing my experience. I started with EVODs and quit the analogs after 1 1/2 days at 18mg nic. Later I got the MVP 2 and continued at 18nic. I was so buzzed on nic I couldn't sleep even though I'm taking Ambien as a sleep aid. Now I'm vaping at 6mg. Rough calculation here but I figure I was getting about 3 times the nic puffing away all day with the MVP as I've done with the EVOD.

I'm likely getting in the same neighborhood of nic as I did with the EVOD but much better hits and maybe that'll help the OP too. Even if I've learned nothing else here I've learned that everyone's experience is different and those of us that have successfully quit the analogs have taken out own path to get there. Find the path that works for you thru experimentation. And besides, it's fun.

 

[Grad]

I've had the misfortune good fortune to work with a bunch of addiction psychologists over the past few years. They rather enjoy annoying me engaging me in a conversation when they see me outside puffing away, and they've actually told me a few things that you may find useful. They told me the average intense craving (OMG OMG I WANT TO SMOKE NOW) only lasts 3-5 minutes. So if you can just make it through those few minutes, you will not want to smoke nearly so bad. The goal is just to do something during that time that will distract you or prevent you from smoking. vaping during that time may be a really great thing, or it may actually intensify the craving because it reminds you too much of smoking. If that's the case, try doing something that you can't do with a cigarette in your hand like taking a shower, cleaning, snorkeling, or placing tacks on the chairs of the addiction researchers.

Another thing to keep in mind that a lot of our addiction is actually habit. Change your routine a bit. As an example, if you normally sit at the kitchen table to drink your morning coffee and smoke a cigarette, take your coffee in the living room, or if you normally keep your smokes in one place, move them somewhere else so you have to think about it a little more. If you find yourself leaning over and taking one from your partner's pack, ask him if he would be willing to move them to a slightly different place.

I wish you the best. You're still doing awesome just because you've cut down, but if your goal is to get off them completely, it may take some work.

 

[Funk Dracula]

Can I ask the OP what gear they are using?

-B

 

[MD_Boater]

I suggest buying American Spirit cigarettes in the light blue box instead of whatever brand you are smoking now. Why? Because they are natural organic tobacco without all of the other chemicals that are in commercial cigarettes. You aren't addicted ONLY to nicotine. It is just one of the many chemicals in commercial cigarettes that are keeping you addicted. You get the nic when you vape, but none of the other chemicals that the tobacco companies add to keep you hooked. Remember, commercial cigarettes are chemically engineered for maximum dependency. The reason that I say this is that I switched from Marlboro Lights to rolling my own cigarettes using the AS light blue organic tobacco (in the pouch or can) 3 years before I started vaping. I had bad withdrawals when I did that even though I was STILL smoking. It took a few weeks to get past them. After that, I couldn't even stand to smoke a commercial cigarette again. They all just tasted nasty to me and gave me a sore throat. When I switched to vaping, I had NO cravings whatsoever. I started at 18mg, and could tell right away that it was too much nic, so I switched to 12mg. I just bought several bottles in 6mg last week. I'm even vaping less now. It is now 4:30pm and the "puff counter" on my MVP2 is only at 215. I have been up since 6:15AM. A week ago, I was at about 400 this time of day, and that was with double strenght nic.

So... Do yourself a favor and switch to organic tobacco. It will help rid your system of all of the other chemicals that are keeping you hooked to the stinkys.

 

[patkin]

^ +1 I agree and had the same experience... switched from Pall Malls to organic, chemical-free, smokes (not RYO though and found them on the Reservation smoke shops) and went thru withdrawal... so a huge part of the physical addiction is the chemicals. I still had to battle the mental obsession to smoke when I started vaping though.

 

[Mark Anthony]

I started vaping at 24mg of nicotine using an 80/20 pg/vg ratio.... It has enough nicotine to kill the cravings and good throat hit to be satisfying.

 

[Jay-dub]

I was smoking more than my wife for the last 15 years, up until last year. I could smoke 2 or 2 1/2 packs a day while my wife was 1 to 1 1/2 a day. She hasn't been able to transition and I don't recall it being an issue for me whatsoever. Her continued habit is a daily reminder of how gross it is. Point being, if you can shake the cigs you'll be happier for it. You may even get to a point where you're in disbelief that you ever did such a thing. Try to mentally project yourself into that future when you're tempted.

 

[Dreaswi]

I have the same problem. I can't seem to give up my last 4. Hubby is an indoor smoker as well. I seem to notice that these last few are out of habit than actual need, if that makes any sense.

I have been vaping seriously since April and was a 2 pack a day smoker. For the past 2 days I've been able to give up my morning smoke and it has been with some ease. I do have to argue a little with myself though.

I think it is a combination of breaking a habit and your body knowing when it's just the right time. Send me a PM and I will give you my support as our stories are very similar. I wish you the best.

It only takes one person to start a revolution.

 

[MonicaRae]

Wow thanks for all the replies..maybe I sound stupid but what's WTA?? The idea of the whole mind game of wait 10 mins then 20 and so on is actually a good idea.. LOL it's what I do to get through the work day sometimes!

Me and my boyfriend have talked about quitting SO many times. I think if I really approach him SERIOUSLY and say I really want to quit and want him to quit he may just try. I don't know how but over the years he's quit a bunch of times.

I do good when there aren't any cigarettes around. I think my first step will be when he leaves for work (I work from home) for him to take all the cigarettes with him...at least that will cut me down.

Morning is hard - I do have one when I wake up but then I chain vape -- like a mad woman but hey I used to chain smoke so I think it's better no matter what anyone says!

I started out with a V2 starter kit -- then I bought a Volt Spinner and some clearo's along with some little Volt batteries. At this point the little 808's do NOTHING for me its like sucking on air! So I've just been using the Spinner but I did just place an order on Sunday for an itaste VV 3.0 and it came with 5 iclear 16's. I'm not playing with these cigalikes anymore..they're okay when I'm walking to the bus stop to get my son or something (I hate when people stare at me like what the heck does she have in her mouth??) but honestly they don't satisfy me at all!

I'm hoping with the itaste and the spinner as my back-up that'll help me into the world of the non-smokers...

 

[MonicaRae]

Can I ask the OP what gear they are using?

-B

Sorry had a late shift at work -- But that's a great question because I completely agree it has a lot to do with my gear. I'm basically fully dependent right now on my Volt Spinner. I'm no where near new but I put a lot of stupid money into v2 and the smaller Volt batt's. I liked that they were like cigarettes but gosh when I try to use them I don't feel a thing!

I can't really stand carto's anymore although I do fall back on them, I have quite a few diff kind of clearo's, some I like some I don't. I need to learn how to rebuild because I have a couple T3's with brand new heads that leak like crazy.

I just odered an itaste VV 3.0 -- everyone I asked for an opinon said to go MVP but I like the feel of my spinner so I went with the itaste. I don't have a bunch of money to throw into gear right now so hopefully the itaste and the iclear's that are coming will help. But again I do need to learn to rebuild -- I know it's on youtube but I'm not a tinkerer so IDK how great that's gonna go!

 

[trunk]

i started about 2 months ago,... got the ego kit as a tester starter thing and while great,.. i too couldnt stay off the analogues.

then i got the mvp,... mostly because i was tired of the ego batteries always dying on me, which meant that i had to carry a pack with me incase i was out and about and ran out of power. so it was a battery life decision and not a variable power one,... that just seemed like a bonus.

then i got it and,... for lack of a better way of saying it,.. i got it!

the problem i had was that with e-cigs there is no "end of the cig" ritual. you find a voltage you like, vape, then you just stop or run out of juice or power. with analogues it starts off cooler, gets hotter and stronger as you get closer to the ..... and when your're down to the end, the hit is so hot and strong that you pretty much dont want to smoke anymore.

sure, you can up your nicotine for the harder hit but its not the same. i would still feel the need for an analogue to finish off the me having a smoke/vape routine.

variable wattage/voltage allowed me to get the same feeling when i needed it,.... so when i'm chilling, the voltage is low, when i want to "finish" i bump it up. when i have a rough day and need the kick and the hit, i max out the mvp and that makes me feel like i'm having a heavier analogue. 5 mins on it and i'm like " yeah ok thats enough, my throat is burning" so it feels like the end like it did with analogues.

so i'd go form 3.8 for a couple of minutes, then 4 and a bit, then 5 for the ending not always, sometimes i just stick to 3.8 indoors, more outdoors,..

i think i've been off of the analogues for about two weeks now, going on three,... i actually cant recall my last one.

i even sat through a big business meeting with heavy smokers,... i just vaped away and didnt feel the slightest need to bum one off of them.... i actually couldnt wait to get out for some fresh air,.. their smoke was spoiling my vape

that's not to say i dont get urges,... i did today, and on other days,.. but when i do i crank it up to five and take a loooooong ... drag. the urges tend to go away after that

 

[MonicaRae]

Trunk: I HAVE NEVER thought about it like that!! The whole start off cool thing then as the cigarettes at its end its hot.... I think it's a mind **** thing honestly.

It makes sense though because when I vape there is really no end in sight. I only put it down when I get almost a sickly feeling then I'm like ok Monica enough for awhile or sometimes I give myself a headache.

I'm using my spinner right now (itaste on its way just checked tracking should be in the mailbox today CANNOT WAIT) but most of the clearo's I use u can't crank it up too far.

What are u using on the MVP? I have yet to venture in to the tank world...and I don't know how to fix my T3 but that's for another forum lol. Since I just bought my first ego/510 threaded battery it's time to buy something new for it soon -- after the holidays anyways the iclear's its coming with are gonna have to do for now. Just wondering what you use.

And of course what anyone else suggests!

 

[DC2]

One of my favorite things about being a dripper is that it provides a "start" and an "end" like a cigarette experience.
It also helps provide a new "ritual" to replace the rituals you may be missing from no longer smoking.

And it also helps that it produces the best vapor and taste.
That's a nice bonus.

 

[gingersnaps]

Hubby and i tired for 3 years before it worked. The number one issue was getting some gear that we did not have to fiddle with through the day except for an occasional fill. We have evics which take 18650 bats and last all day and some t3s clearos that work very well.

The second issue we had to overcome was that we both smoked and every time one of us smoked the other wanted one. So we first disallowed smoking in the house. Then we went about our own way. He stopped first but it was harder on me because I'm always dealing with stress. One day i decided no matter what I was not going to buy anymore smokes. The urge comes sometimes but if I wait it out it passes. Also I never go into the store i used to buy them at for anything if I'm having a bad day for fear i might cave. When its real bad i use some strong snus like Odens or thunder

 

[David Muffmucher]

I haven't had a chance to read all the posts ahead of me, but I'd like to add my own experience of how to quit smoking. The one thing that really helped was getting a RDA. The amount of nicotine vaporized is so much higher than a clearomizer it actually gave me a nicotine rush like I have not experienced in years. Using a Pro-tank on a battery style device never gave me much of a nicotine rush. Now when I drip, I feel that 6 mg can be too much if I chain vape.

 

[Christa Marshall]

i only have my experience to share with you, but there are some good suggestions already listed in this thread. It is worth mentioning that i smoked for years, about 11 give or take... I have tried EVERYTHING, and i mean EVERYTHING to quit, and nothing ever worked. I started vaping and liked it. i thought it might work, but my fiance was a smoker too. First plan of action was to get him to try a yummy flavor. Once we both were on the same page about how great vaping tasting compared to analogs we were both on the band wagon. We smoked for a while slowly decreasing the analogs and vaping as much and as often as either of us wanted to. There was absolutely no regulating our vaping because that was part of the appeal (vaping inside, different flavors...) We kind of turned it into a competition of sorts. "how many did you smoke at work today? I only had 1..." that sort of thing. I personally had to play mind games with myself though. Part of it was the competition aspect, and part of it was telling myself i'd really rather taste some delicious butter pecan, or strawberries and cream instead of an analog. it worked for me. I never told myself i couldn't have an analog because it would make me want one more!! i just took the pressure off. After a while of doing this i had cut down a lot, and was down to 1 or 2 a day. At that point, i would get half way through an analog and find i couldn't finish it. it tasted like... well you know I ended up just giving them away to a friend because i just didn't them. do what works for YOU. I work with someone who just stopped once her starter kit came in the mail. I couldn't do that. I had to look at vaping as completely different then an analog. I didn't want to feel like i was vaping because i couldn't have an analog... idk if that makes sense to you but hope it helps. best of luck!!!

 

[Christa Marshall]

the MVP really changed thing for me too.

 

[MonicaRae]

Lots of good info & its funny how most of our experiences are similar. I can say I got my itaste vv yesterday & counting from the time I started this post & so far this morning - now that's at least 12 hours I've only had 2 cigarettes.

So messed up how our heads work cuz just the thought of not having one makes me want one!

I must say getting the itaste was like a whole new world - I can't even take it...my throats hurting!
The experiences & suggestions are great..def gonna use some.

 

[MonicaRae]

One of my favorite things about being a dripper is that it provides a "start" and an "end" like a cigarette experience.
It also helps provide a new "ritual" to replace the rituals you may be missing from no longer smoking.

And it also helps that it produces the best vapor and taste.
That's a nice bonus.

I've been so interested in dripping! I followed a vid on YouTube and made a makeshift atomizer from an old carto!.I Was Gonna Buy What They Call A Drip O Mizer From Nhaler But after talking with them they basically.talked me into just getting the Aspire.

AnY suggestions on what to get to drip...there's so much available I'm kinda lost with it.

 

[danca90]

24 nic, and will power to not smoke. I gave mine a stern talking to, called them a holes, and what not.