Quitting Vaping

[CaptMilkdud]

I'm 59 years old and began smoking in 1966. I quit analogs and began vaping in November of 2013. When I quit analogs I was a 2-3 pack a day smoker. I found it a very easy switch, which amazed me. I started with 25 mg of Nicotine in my juice and shortly afterwards dropped down to 16, then tried 10 but it was too much too fast so I went back up to 16.

About two months ago I bought a 0 mg Nic bottle of the same flavor juice I use and began adding it to my 16. At first I added 2/3rds 16 to 1/3 0 and could tolerate it so continued. I kept adding less 16 and more 0 until it was 50/50. At that point I switched to 8 mg and began adding my 0 to it at the same rate as with the 16 and am now only using 0. This whole process has taken about two months and was very easy. I've been vaping Nicotine free for about three weeks.

I've been trying to quit vaping altogether but feel withdrawal symptoms similar to analogs but not as intense. I was wondering if anyone else has had this experience and if so how long does it last? Could it be psychosomatic or is there something in the liquid that is addictive?

 

[Robert Cromwell]

In vaping you only have the habit and nicotine to contend with. In smoking there are lots of other tobaconids I believe they are called that add to the addiction.
Good luck on your quitting vaping. Vaping cannot be as healthy as not vaping.
fyi I intend to keep on vaping.

 

[Hans Wermhat]

For me, the addiction was as much the physical habit of sticking something in my mouth and puffing on it (no wise cracks, please ) as it was the nicotine. I tried everything to quit and it never worked until I started vaping for that reason. It could be that you are just so used to smoking on something that your brain feels a need to keep doing it.

 

[HauntedMyst]

I would guess its more psychosomatic than any addictive additive. You can call the "actions" of vaping addictive, just as they were with cigarettes. Going through the motions, being used to having it in your hands for me were every bit a part of smoking as was the smoke itself. I find when I am away from vaping, I don't need it. I miss the flavor and having something in my hands but I don't crave it like a junky the way I did with cigarettes.

 

[Racehorse]

I was wondering if anyone else has had this experience and if so how long does it last? Could it be psychosomatic or is there something in the liquid that is addictive?

My "addiction", as yours, is *behavioral*. I really don't use nic anymore, sometimes 3mg but most of time 0%......I just have gotten so used to carrying things, puffing, blowing out smoke/vapor.....relaxing to me.

Just leave them at home most of time and see what happens .... it is mostly just "habit" if you are not using nic anymore.

I found no difference between vaping 6mg, 3mg or 0mg for whatever reason LOL

 

[Sir2fyablyNutz]

I would think that it is psychosomatic. I have 30 yrs of habit and am working on being 100% zero nic. I know for a fact I can go long periods of time without my vape and do well, but at the same time when I get my vape back it is a relief. I know when I am fully zero I'll be keeping a vape close to hand for a long time because I know the addiction to the cigs can strike down the road. Congrats on your reaching zero!

 

[Baditude]

I've been trying to quit vaping altogether but feel withdrawal symptoms similar to analogs but not as intense. I was wondering if anyone else has had this experience and if so how long does it last? Could it be psychosomatic or is there something in the liquid that is addictive?

Addiction to smoking is more than an addiction to just nicotine.

The hand-to-mouth behavior, as well as the "inhaling/exhaling" something, is all part of the addiction phenomenon.

When I made the switch to vaping from smoking, I had no intentions of quitting vaping. I enjoyed smoking, but was looking for a healthier alternative. Over 3 years vaping, I've cut my nicotine concentration down from 18 mg to 3 or 6 mg. I've vaped 0% nic, but I really miss that nic. I'm comfortable with that.

Good luck with your attempts to quit vaping.

 

[Robert Cromwell]

I would guess its more psychosomatic than any addictive additive. You can call the "actions" of vaping addictive, just as they were with cigarettes. Going through the motions, being used to having it in your hands for me were every bit a part of smoking as was the smoke itself. I find when I am away from vaping, I don't need it. I miss the flavor and having something in my hands but I don't crave it like a junky the way I did with cigarettes.

It is those danged flavors that are addictive!

 

[WonderDude32]

I've been trying to leave my mod in a different room so I have to go get it to vape. This makes me wonder if I need it or just want it. If I really need it, I use it. I don't keep it within reach often as I tend to vape way too much. The more distance I have, the less I find myself wanting. This works for me. I don't plan on quitting yet, just cutting back. Best wishes to you for making it to the finish line.

 

[Hitcat44]

Given what I have heard and read from others here and that I have known personally I'd say Vaping has provided you with much more than simply the Nic.
Obviously so or the mere reduction to zero Nic would have triggered these negative Feelings.

It gives you a Routine, a Distraction, an Act which is the physical Representation and Manifestation of the Chemical Process of your Mind and Body "relaxing".
It is Pavlovian in a Sense. The Vaping is your "Bell" that triggers your Mind to either be relaxed or "believe" it is relaxed which in and of itself leads to actual Satisfaction and Relaxation.
Humans are Creatures of Habit. They resist altering those Habits and Change in general with great zeal and vicious passion. So much so that they can actual make themselves physically Ill as a Result in order to return to the "Bell".
It has also become a Hobby. Hobbies are "enjoyable" because of the above Psychosomatic Reasons as well as the overwhelming Desires to be Productive and Accomplish. Peace of Mind is the ultimate Accomplishment & Product.

So yes, it's All in your Mind and the "Withdrawal-Symptoms" are your Mind resisting the lack of it's Routine/Hobby/Relaxation/Pavlov's Bell.

 

[Hans Wermhat]

It is Pavlovian in a Sense.

So that's why I start to slobber when I reach for my mod!!! Lol!

 

[WickedSick]

I hope it works out for you Cptn I think that if you have been vaping a nicotine free e-liquid for such a period and you get the withdrawal symptoms only after stopping vaping, that it is a more of psychological thing. Except the nicotine there is nothing really addictive in e-liquids in the real sense of the word.

 

[Hitcat44]

So that's why I start to slobber when I reach for my mod!!! Lol!

No. Not really. But, if it makes the Slobbering easier to deal with to think so,,,, Then Yes. Sure it does

 

[Robert Cromwell]

I got those diketone monkeys on my back!

 

[DingerCPA]

Yup, I'm still addicted. I'm addicted to yummy-tasting vapes. A li'l chocolate, a li'l banana, a li'l peach, etc. I'm also still addicted to the "hand-to-mouth" aspect of smoking/vaping. I haven't had a cigarette in over 15 months, but I do get anxious if I don't have easy access to my vape.

I have ADD/OCD/whatever - I must constantly be playing with something. If I'm on the phone with a client, I'm playing with a twist tie or a paper clip or a pen. I enjoy vaping too much at this time to even fathom quitting....

 

[Steelgirl]

When I smoked I felt like a reluctant smoker. It wasn't fun, just did it cuz I was addicted. I started vaping almost 2 yrs ago and I just love it. But before I knew it I had about a dozen mods going all with different flavors. I thought I was gonna need a wheeled cart to carry all my mods, juices around the house. Plugging in every night was a 10 min ordeal. Then another ordeal next morning. That all got tiring! I'm down to just 4 mods now and 1.6 mg/ml nic. I'm at the point where beginning to feel like a reluctant vapor. I keep telling myself I need to slow down on the vape, but I'm weak! Plus I really love vaping. But going thru 30 + mil in 3 days ain't good. Even if I diy , it ain't good. I need to get psyco. stronger about vaping. Leave it further away, leave at home for quick trips in car, etc.

 

[Robert Cromwell]

When I smoked I felt like a reluctant smoker. It wasn't fun, just did it cuz I was addicted. I started vaping almost 2 yrs ago and I just love it. But before I knew it I had about a dozen mods going all with different flavors. I thought I was gonna need a wheeled cart to carry all my mods, juices around the house. Plugging in every night was a 10 min ordeal. Then another ordeal next morning. That all got tiring! I'm down to just 4 mods now and 1.6 mg/ml nic. I'm at the point where beginning to feel like a reluctant vapor. I keep telling myself I need to slow down on the vape, but I'm weak! Plus I really love vaping. But going thru 30 + mil in 3 days ain't good. Even if I diy , it ain't good. I need to get psyco. stronger about vaping. Leave it further away, leave at home for quick trips in car, etc.

You will need to get your nic a lot lower before you ever consider quitting vaping/nic.
For myself I have no plans to quit, I like it too much.

 

[Steelgirl]

Can't get much lower then 1.6. It's almost zero as it is. Maybe I have the decimal in wrong place. 2 mil of 24 per 30 mil diy. Close to zero. Started at 24.

 

[eyerhere]

(no wise cracks, please )

ok I won't say it but I am gonna think it!

 

[Robert Cromwell]

Can't get much lower then 1.6. It's almost zero as it is. Maybe I have the decimal in wrong place. 2 mil of 24 per 30 mil diy. Close to zero. Started at 24.

AHH I was thinking % or not thinking as the case may be. My errer.