Quitting the analogs - I need to hear it FOR ME

[BreilaRose]

I know that no one likes a teal dear, so here it is short and sweet - started with a basic vape pen last year, almost immediately quit for more than two weeks and was perfectly happy until I was in a social situation where vaping was "weird" and I bummed smokes off of someone. Not a perfect story, but have been a dual user since.

For a long time, I smoked when I had the opportunity, and vaped when I didn't.

Then, I got serious. I upgraded my equipment, bought some good juice, and made a serious go at it.

These days, I do really enjoy vaping over smoking. Frequently, I will step outside to light a smoke, get halfway through and think to myself "Why? My whatever flavored vape is SO much better than this!" I put it out, sometimes only partially smoked, and return to my vape.

Though I won't deny that there are other times that I smoke, I find that there are specific barriers that elude me. That first and second smoke of the day are so much a part of my routine that I almost do it without thinking (at 5 am, that first smoke is definitely without coherent though, I can guarantee you that!) The others are those where I've just gotten off work or are just going to work, it is that feeling of either "I haven't had one in so long," or "I won't get one for so many hours" that kills me.

I've gone from over a PAD to less than half a PAD, and sometimes less than that. But I really, really want to get to that point where I don't feel like I need to have one on hand "just in case." I'm so jealous of those who were able to step down from it immediately and I want their wisdom and willpower.

 

[AndriaD]

I know that no one likes a teal dear, so here it is short and sweet - started with a basic vape pen last year, almost immediately quit for more than two weeks and was perfectly happy until I was in a social situation where vaping was "weird" and I bummed smokes off of someone. Not a perfect story, but have been a dual user since.

For a long time, I smoked when I had the opportunity, and vaped when I didn't.

Then, I got serious. I upgraded my equipment, bought some good juice, and made a serious go at it.

These days, I do really enjoy vaping over smoking. Frequently, I will step outside to light a smoke, get halfway through and think to myself "Why? My whatever flavored vape is SO much better than this!" I put it out, sometimes only partially smoked, and return to my vape.

Though I won't deny that there are other times that I smoke, I find that there are specific barriers that elude me. That first and second smoke of the day are so much a part of my routine that I almost do it without thinking (at 5 am, that first smoke is definitely without coherent though, I can guarantee you that!) The others are those where I've just gotten off work or are just going to work, it is that feeling of either "I haven't had one in so long," or "I won't get one for so many hours" that kills me.

I've gone from over a PAD to less than half a PAD, and sometimes less than that. But I really, really want to get to that point where I don't feel like I need to have one on hand "just in case." I'm so jealous of those who were able to step down from it immediately and I want their wisdom and willpower.

The first time I switched over to vape-only, it was very easy, almost didn't notice the cigarettes just going away.

However, the 2nd time, after my relapse, was a great deal harder. It really took a huge effort of will, and of constantly reminding myself that I really did want to return to being a non-smoker. As long as I permitted myself ANY possibility of a smoke, my stupid brain drove me crazy, plaguing me to go smoke, go smoke, just about constantly. But as soon as I said ENOUGH! and took even the possibility completely off the table... that 2 yr old in my head shut the hell up and quit bothering me. I finally laid them down again while I was still at 5 per day, simply because a) I knew it was possible, I'd done it before, and b) I knew that the longer I allowed myself to keep smoking, the harder it would become to ditch them.

You just have to decide, and stick with it. An e-cig isn't a magic wand, or a substitute for a firm commitment -- it just makes the commitment easier to live with.

Andria

 

[57chilicat]

You are on your way! It took me 6 years to make the complete switch but I did it! You will too!

 

[Jugband]

You can do this. I was there once also.

For me it was stress. I made the switch to vapeing immediately (just lucky) but a stressful situation was my downfall every time. I felt like I had to have a cigarette. More than once, I was back at a bad habit. Everyone is different, but for me anyway, I didn't beat myself up over it. I knew I was going down the right road. And most importantly my choice was to commit to vapeing. Slowly but surely, I found myself not being satisfied with a gross, stinky cigarette. Surprisingly even to me,I really just wanted to vape.

It's been years now since I smoked. Not interested at all anymore. Something else that helped me during the transition, I always kept a tobacco flavor with me. A "just in case I need a smoke" vape. That helped me a lot!

Stick with it! Don't get discouraged, and don't ever give up! You'll be smoke free before you know it!

 

[Ryedan]

It took me about two weeks to switch completely to vaping. That was in April 2012 and I have not had one since. I smoked for 37 years and tried everything to quit before that and nothing else ever worked for me.

I really wanted to quit. My doctor had told me I was showing symptoms of COPD. My dad had died of complications from COPD a few years earlier so I had a really good idea about what living with that can be like. That was enough motivation for me to get me through the first few months after making the switch. I struggled for a while, vaping is not the same as smoking, but I hung in. I envy the folks who make the switch easily, but it is what it is

There are a lot of people who dual use for a while. Some take a couple of years before they completely leave smoking behind. It's a pretty personal journey.

IMO don't force it too hard or too fast. I would think about making a plan to slowly reduce the number of smokes you have and see how it goes. You know yourself and when a smoke is still really important for you. Give yourself permission to have those for a while and work on the others during the day. One step at a time. I think it will get easier the more you reduce smoking and the longer you vape. IMO the important thing is to keep moving in the right direction and not get frustrated with it. It doesn't matter if it takes you a week or a year.

Best of luck with it

 

[WindyCityJoe]

You didn't mention what nic level you're at, maybe you need to bump it up a bit and just grab that new Radius every morning instead of a stinky. Try not buying anymore cigs and just grab your vape when you feel the urge, afterall whats more important, your health or feeling a little awkward around other smokers? Who knows, maybe you can convert a couple other smokers.

 

[BreilaRose]

You didn't mention what nic level you're at, maybe you need to bump it up a bit and just grab that new Radius every morning instead of a stinky. Try not buying anymore cigs and just grab your vape when you feel the urge, afterall whats more important, your health or feeling a little awkward around other smokers? Who knows, maybe you can convert a couple other smokers.

Thanks for the advice! I've found that no matter what nic level or device I'm using, the first hit of the morning induces a massive coughing fit if I don't have a smoke first. Yes, I know that logically if I fully quit the cigs, this will eventually go away, but I haven't been able to get past it.

Oddly enough, almost no one I know smokes anymore. The incident I spoke of earlier involved a trip to visit people I rarely see. I don't work with any smokers (and only one vaper that I know of), and my husband quit for the most part almost two years ago. It is all on me at this point, I just have to find the willpower.

 

[WindyCityJoe]

I just realized you didn't win the new Radius, sorry for the confusion, trusted my memory again.

Sometimes in the morning I just take smaller vapes until my throat gets back to handling a full vape. HTH
You'll get there though!!

 

[Grimwald]

That morning cigarette or three was the hardest. I just decided one day that I was going to vape instead. I recommend you allow yourself plenty of time because it took me about 45 minutes to vape thru the cravings. As windycityjoe said, make sure you have high enough nic for those times of cravings. Quitting is not for sissies.

 

[Darkstarncw]

I relapsed for a good long while, but when I came back to vaping I immediately quit smoking. I still let my friends smoke in my already abused house, but every time I see a cigarette, I want nothing more than to light that thing on fire. I immediately start thinking about the reasons I quit, and the urge goes away within seconds. It won't work for everyone, but if you can condition yourself, the fight becomes a lot easier. Good luck!

 

[Ablonz]

Mine was that first morning smoke as well. It took me 3 and a half months of dual use before I was able to make the switch completely. One day at a time, and remember: It is not how many you smoked, it is how many you didn't that count. Each person is different. You will get there one day!!!!

 

[r77r7r]

Breaking' up is hard to do

 

[AndriaD]

My biggest trouble spot was also the first one in the morning; what fixed that for me was not trying to vape as if I was smoking -- those short hard drags and fast inhales just will not deliver enough nicotine fast enough to make any difference to a craving. If you slow it down, take long, slow drags, let it hang around in the mouth and throat for a while before inhaling, then exhaling slowly via the nose as much as the mouth... the first day I did that, was my first smoke-free day in 39 years. What Grimwald said is very true -- it could take a half hour of vaping that way, or even longer, but the more slowly you do it, the more nicotine you will absorb.

Andria

ETA: I also used a juice with a softer TH in the morning, at first -- now I don't need to, but yeah at first the TH first thing in the morning just about killed me.

 

[smacksy]

My biggest trouble spot was also the first one in the morning; what fixed that for me was not trying to vape as if I was smoking -- those short hard drags and fast inhales just will not deliver enough nicotine fast enough to make any difference to a craving. If you slow it down, take long, slow drags, let it hang around in the mouth and throat for a while before inhaling, then exhaling slowly via the nose as much as the mouth... the first day I did that, was my first smoke-free day in 39 years. What Grimwald said is very true -- it could take a half hour of vaping that way, or even longer, but the more slowly you do it, the more nicotine you will absorb.

Andria

ETA: I also used a juice with a softer TH in the morning, at first -- now I don't need to, but yeah at first the TH first thing in the morning just about killed me.

For me I didn't get that nicotine fix I needed until I started sub ohm vaping... Instead of sucking on a little 1.8 ohm protank a dozen or more times now I either drip on a dual coil build at 75-80w or vape the awesome Crown subtank at 65-70w..with 5mgs of nic I get a good nic hit in two good deep lung pulls, total satisfaction!...something I could only dream about tootle puffing on a protank at 11w..just saying what works for me that keeps my acquired nicotine addiction instantly in check...and tobacco free, lol

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[AndriaD]

For me I didn't get that nicotine fix I needed until I started sub ohm vaping... Instead of sucking on a little 1.8 ohm protank a dozen or more times now I either drip on a dual coil build at 75-80w or vape the awesome Crown subtank at 65-70w..with 5mgs of nic I get a good nic hit in two good deep lung pulls, total satisfaction!...something I could only dream about tootle puffing on a protank at 11w..just saying what works for me that keeps my acquired nicotine addiction instantly in check...and tobacco free, lol

Sent from my QTAQZ3 using Tapatalk

Can't relate at all.... I did it the first time with a cigalike using 6mg ejuice. Vaping the long slow way provided enough nicotine to give me the sharp stabby abdominal pains. I think it has a lot to do with how much you want it to work. If there's still any part of you resisting it, it never will work.

Andria

 

[smacksy]

Can't relate at all.... I did it the first time with a cigalike using 6mg ejuice. Vaping the long slow way provided enough nicotine to give me the sharp stabby abdominal pains. I think it has a lot to do with how much you want it to work. If there's still any part of you resisting it, it never will work.

Andria

I'm sorry to hear that Andria... I was a two pack a day smoker for over 20 years and have developed a strong nicotine addiction. Because of the dangers of smoking tobacco I got into vaping 3 yrs ago.. as a newbie I never used a cigalike but started with a Provari and protank. But I soon realized I needed something better in my nicotine delivery if I was to remain tobacco free. I got into mechs, learned how to build an RDA safely, and found that sub ohm vaping satisfied my nicotine addiction better than anything I've had tried up to that time. I still sub ohm vape to this day, using high powered box mods and various RDA's/subtanks... I've never had abdominal pain like you describe, but since I started vaping I can taste my food, sense of smell came back and I've lost 25lbs as vaping also cuts my appetite, not to mention I don't get short winded anymore either. So yeah, I guess you can say I wanted vaping to work for me and I'm thankful it really has...

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[quittingvegas]

Keep at it...
I was a fulltime dual user for 2 years. Just recently quit the analogs for good 45 days ago. It was tough especially that morning cig and breaks at work. Finally one weekend I just decided I'm gonna see how long I last without getting a pack. So far so good. It is true what they say. A person will only give up smokes when they're ready.

 

[ChildWithATemper]

I was dual using for 4 months before I completely quit the analogs. I had no intentions of quitting - tried it several times before and couldn't do it, so I thought i would let "nature" take its course. I almost instantly went from a pack a day to 1-2 analogs when I was stressed and that was good enough for me at the time. Over the time strange thoughts started popping into my head, like "I need a cigarette. Wait, wow, what? Would I really rather light up something that stinks like f... or do I want some blueberry/strawberry/chocolate goodness?"... eventually that was the reason, I was able to quit completely - taking the "obvious" choices

 

[evan le'garde]

What helped me the most was financial commitment, and i threw all the spare money i had at vaping hardware and juice. Buy backups for my back up and then buy some more. Bought myself something special, a Provari, a nice shiney polished stainless steel Provari. Then bought an authentic Kayfun V4, cost an arm and a leg, then a Russian 91%. Then went on to buy some high powered box mods. Bought an 150 watt IPV3, then a 100 watt IPV4 and also a Sigelei 100 watt plus box mod and bought some decent RTA's. Got into D.I.Y e liquids. Bought loads of flavourings (not cheap), bought a load of Vegetable Glycerine from ebay (pretty cheap), then some Propylene Glycol, and half a litre of nicotine base liquid, loads of empty plastic dripper bottles, some syringes and blunt needles.

Haven't smoked in nearly three years after doing so for 30.

 

[WharfRat1976]

I know that no one likes a teal dear, so here it is short and sweet - started with a basic vape pen last year, almost immediately quit for more than two weeks and was perfectly happy until I was in a social situation where vaping was "weird" and I bummed smokes off of someone. Not a perfect story, but have been a dual user since.

For a long time, I smoked when I had the opportunity, and vaped when I didn't.

Then, I got serious. I upgraded my equipment, bought some good juice, and made a serious go at it.

These days, I do really enjoy vaping over smoking. Frequently, I will step outside to light a smoke, get halfway through and think to myself "Why? My whatever flavored vape is SO much better than this!" I put it out, sometimes only partially smoked, and return to my vape.

Though I won't deny that there are other times that I smoke, I find that there are specific barriers that elude me. That first and second smoke of the day are so much a part of my routine that I almost do it without thinking (at 5 am, that first smoke is definitely without coherent though, I can guarantee you that!) The others are those where I've just gotten off work or are just going to work, it is that feeling of either "I haven't had one in so long," or "I won't get one for so many hours" that kills me.

I've gone from over a PAD to less than half a PAD, and sometimes less than that. But I really, really want to get to that point where I don't feel like I need to have one on hand "just in case." I'm so jealous of those who were able to step down from it immediately and I want their wisdom and willpower.

CONGRATS! my advice is VAPE MORE! Get great gear and superb tasty JOOSE. Post pics of said joose and gear. Participate in forums and ask questions than VAPE MORE! Rinse and repeat! Keep us posted and you can do it[emoji13]