Some things I found out

[pearlyvictoria]

I was frantic trying to plan a vacation a couple of weeks ago. What if I don't take enough juice? Should I take both my battery chargers? What about all my batteries and atts? I got the TSA approved liquid transport kit, measured out how much each bottle held and made ejuice accordingly. I mistakenly vaped once in the airport (the airlines told me I couldn't but I forgot). After arriving at my destination, guess what? I don't think I vaped 20 times in all 8 days! I was very happy about that because it seemed like I had kicked the nicotine/hand-to-mouth thing at last.

So, what happened? I get home and start wanting nicotine! Even more than I had before. Also, the quitting smoking analogues reactions started while on vacation. Sneezing, random pains, night sweats, mini headaches and the slight ........... plus I eliminated tons of water my body was holding.

What do you think?

 

[NicLiq]

I think you disrupted your routine and went through some nicotine withdrawal while you were on vacation. We tend to do things when we're on vacation that we don't normally do, such as eat differently, be more active, change our sleep patterns, etc.

Smokers are really good at "making up" missed nicotine, so I suppose the same thing could happen with vapers?

 

[pearlyvictoria]

I think you disrupted your routine and went through some nicotine withdrawal while you were on vacation. We tend to do things when we're on vacation that we don't normally do, such as eat differently, be more active, change our sleep patterns, etc.

Smokers are really good at "making up" missed nicotine, so I suppose the same thing could happen with vapers?

I'm not sure I understand the first part of what you wrote, Nic. For sure my routine was totally different and definitely not what happens at home, lol. But the whole time there I did not crave nicotine and most of the time forgot I had my e-cig. That is what I can't figure out. Can you go a little deeper in your answer? I really want to know why. Maybe I can recreate the "no crave" at home.

 

[NicLiq]

I just meant that on vacation, people are often busy and occupied doing other things, and since the nicotine in vaping doesn't seem to be as addictive as it is in cigarettes, it's probably a lot easier to not do it or forget to. I don't know about you, but I would often smoke less on vacation too because I didn't always know where the smoking sections were and I didn't want to miss out on something (excluding cruises and trips to Mexico because smokers are welcome there lol).

A change in your routine at home might really help. If you typically vaped in the morning before work, or whatever, then you could use that time to take a quick walk or something. We have a lot more stress at home, or at least the types of stress that seem to trigger wanting nicotine.

 

[KirtBacken]

I dont really understand why havent you feel the crave during the trip and now you are feeling it even more when you are back at home!!! I would suggest you to keep vaping with some flavors you like and I think everything will be just fine again.

 

[grandmato5]

Different routine while on vacation with other things to occupy your mind accounts for the lack of feeling like you needed your nic. You state that you started the nic withdrawal effects while you were there even though crarving the nic wasn't one of them. I'd bet that if you'd stayed on vacation longer the craving for nic would have hit you there too it just happened to wait until you got home. If it is your wish to stop using nic then vape when you feel you MUST have some nic right now but refrain from vaping just to vape. Reduce the level of nic that you are using for those craving moments over time.

 

[jj2]

I do the same thing when I'm at my daughter's. I'm so busy cramming in time with her and family (I only see them 1-3 times a year), I pretty much forget about vaping. Let's put it this way, in a week, I'd go through one 14500 battery and juice that got me though one day when at home.
After all this time off analogs, when at home, and out shopping, I vape very little. In fact, I've accidentally left it at home and by the time I notice it, I didn't want to turn around and go back to get it. When smoking I would have or I would've stopped at the nearest place and bought a pack.
I concluded that now it is more of an act of enjoyment and relaxation than anything. Nic is also a great stress reliever and that is a big plus in my life.
I've even come to the point of where I could probably give it up if I really wanted to. I also know that eventually (from past experience and temporarily quitting), that I'd most likely eventually go back to it. Then I'd be back to the beginning and vaping my head off.
So I've just settled into my routine of vaping a small amount of time compared to what I did at the beginning. I'm happy and basically you have to find your happy place with it.

 

[Apocalypse*Meow]

Routine has a LOT to do with addiction. For example, did you know that a ...... addict can OD on the exact same amount of the drug that they normally do, if they do it at a different time of day or in a different setting? The brain has a *huge* effect on the body. Huge. Changing your routine- vacation- was IMO the one and only reason you didn't crave nicotine at the time. And then you went home, back to your routine, and voila! You wanted your drug back.

Honestly, the if you really want to get off the nicotine, the best way to do it is not to just try to stop cold turkey but to slowly step down the amount in your juice, week by week. I think as long as you're at home, in your regular routine, you're going to crave nicotine.

Just my opinion, of course!

 

[madmartyr72]

Our homes are our comfort zones. It is where we relax and brainlessly watch the hours pass by. It is the base from where we plan and launch our daily routines. For anyone who smokes/smoked, we know all about the 'smoking triggers' associated with the addiction. As I have stated in other posts, smoking is a 20% physical addiction and a 80% mental one, which is why it is so hard to quit. When I lived alone, I smoked indoors and would smoke a pack a day with no problem. It was because it was my comfort zone and I was in a routine of smoking whenever I sat down at the computer, after each meal, watched a movie, before bedtime, first morning cig, etc. But when my girlfriend and I moved in together, I smoked outside (she doesn't smoke) and a lot of the triggers I had to smoke while I lived alone was no more and as a result I smoked much less. Our minds fall into routines we don't even realize because a nicotine addiction is sneaky one (80% mental).

I believe what you experienced was a conflict of both physical and mental. You said you craved less nicotine while on vacation and that could be a good sign. It could mean that vaping is gradually kicking your need for as much nicotine your body feels like it needs to function properly (good thing), but on the other hand, you were on vacation (i.e. away from your comfort zone). There are a lot of things that preoccupy our perceptions when we are on a vacation, otherwise there would be no point in taking one. When you got home and your cravings kicked into overdrive, your mental addiction took hold of your physical and punched it in the face! No matter how nice it is to get away on a vacation, we all breathe that sigh of relief when we walk back through the door of our homes and so too did your addiction. While you were feeling that 'good to be home' feeling inside, your brain was going "Ahhhhhhh...HOME! There's my comfy chair, there's my remote, Fluffy lying on his mat, the birds are...oh wait! There is my good ol trusty 55hp 110v VapeBox Mod-of-the-Gods 6000GT sitting on the end table bathed in a shimmering soft beam of heavenly light with little cherubs holding hands and dancing around it!!! Gimmie a kiss baby!!!". Okay, maybe a little dramatic, but you get the idea.

 

[AttyPops]

Although I think nicotine is addictive, it's not the only addictive thing in tobacco. Then there's the habit too. So when we switch to e-cigs, after a while, we find that the nicotine addiction is different. IDK. I don't crave nic 1st thing in the morning the same way I craved a cig. But I still crave it.

It is totally feasible that you vaped less when you were busy on vacation. Like mentioned above...routine plays a part too. And the addiction to just nicotine is different.

As far as the physical stuff above... next time you go on vacation... don't drink the water! jk

 

[pearlyvictoria]

I just meant that on vacation, people are often busy and occupied doing other things, and since the nicotine in vaping doesn't seem to be as addictive as it is in cigarettes, it's probably a lot easier to not do it or forget to. I don't know about you, but I would often smoke less on vacation too because I didn't always know where the smoking sections were and I didn't want to miss out on something (excluding cruises and trips to Mexico because smokers are welcome there lol).

A change in your routine at home might really help. If you typically vaped in the morning before work, or whatever, then you could use that time to take a quick walk or something. We have a lot more stress at home, or at least the types of stress that seem to trigger wanting nicotine.

Thanks for your follow-up, Nic. That makes sense. And you are right about changing the routine at home. I notice that if I suddenly want to vape but, say, the phone rings and distracts me, the craving goes away.

 

[pearlyvictoria]

Absolutely love all the analysis offered! Thank you all so much.

@grandmato, that's worth a try. When I first bought ejuice I didn't know I couldn't handle the VG, had no idea what nic level I would need, etc, so right kind of having to start over with much lower doses. 18 is too much so I am doing some diy. I can only do about 12 without getting the flutters.

@Meow, your opinion is a reasonable conclusion.

@madmartyr- "While you were feeling that 'good to be home' feeling inside, your brain was going "Ahhhhhhh...HOME! There's my comfy chair, there's my remote, Fluffy lying on his mat, the birds are...oh wait! There is my good ol trusty 55hp 110v VapeBox Mod-of-the-Gods 6000GT sitting on the end table bathed in a shimmering soft beam of heavenly light with little cherubs holding hands and dancing around it!!! Gimmie a kiss baby!!!". Love this!

@attypops, LOL at the water statement!

 

[NicLiq]

Good luck! Keep looking for distractions and pretty soon you might get that vacation feeling at home too. I know Dormouse posts about keeping your vaping stuff in another room so you have to make an effort to go do it. We are lucky to be able to lower nic amounts slowly too - with the right schedule, someone would barely notice the transition.