What do you do when you have a craving for an analog?

[ADCarter1]

The title kinda says it all but I'll elaborate a little...

I'm four days into just vaping, haven't cheated once and had an analog, thought I was doing great, never had a craving for one. Until today....

I'm a teacher and my students' picnic was today and it rained (Thanks TS Andrea) so we had 115 fifth graders inside playing games, running around, acting like well, like they were 11 years old and three days from summer vacation. It was mayhem. Normally I go out to my truck at lunch and take a few quick drags on my e-cigarette but today, since all the kids were together with their parents and I had to eat with them, I couldn't go. I finally got a chance to go at 2:30 (last vape before that was at 9:30am) and was practically ripping my hair out. When I smoked I dreaded days like this because I couldn't run out at lunch and have one. I only got out today because I can vape faster than smoke and I don't have to drive around the block (no smoking on school property), just sit in my car and it takes 2 minutes vs. 10.

ANYWHO, given all of this it's not surprising that, by 4:00, I was dying to have a real analog cigarette. And even though the dreamer in me imagined stopping at a gas station and buying a pack and packing it and ripping off the plastic and the foil and opening it and taking the smoke out and lighting it and inhaling it and watching the tip glow red, the realist in me knew that this wasn't even a possibility and that I wasn't going to do it. So I resisted and pulled out the strongest tobacco flavored liquid I had and just vaped. I also had a large, strong cup of coffee and this seemed to do the trick.

But I am curious as to what you all do when you are craving a smoke or a vape and just can't have one. Do you chew gum? Meditate? Call the "I'm ripping my hair out, please help me" hotline?

 

[Myrany]

Vape the tar out of my menthol juice that has a slightly higher nic level that what I normally vape

Actually I do sort of look at what is happening to see if it is THE HABIT of smoking rather than the addiction screaming at me. For example Lately I have been feeling it some and I realized it was the HABIT of going outside not the analog I wanted. So I just grabbed my vamo and headed to the porch.

Edit: If I was still teaching I would have a small PV in my pocket (maybe a small penstyle so no one would think anything of it). The teachers bathroom would be my emergency vape spot. Around here they are one seaters so go in lock the door a couple of fast toots and its a done deal. But that is just emergency not recommended to break rules on a regular basis.

 

[Snicks]

When this happens to me I just deal with it till I can sneak away. Get a palm mod...easy to sneak even with people around.

 

[jam*her*some]

I keep a huge bag of jolly ranchers in my purse. I suck on those like CRAZY when I can't vape and am in serious need of nicotine.

 

[soba1]

Vape like there is no tomorrow, and hang out here......
Will be two weeks tomorrow, I have been kinda craving a smoke today...

 

[soba1]

When this happens to me I just deal with it till I can sneak away. Get a palm mod...easy to sneak even with people around.

Nice, u think some of us my get away with calling them inhalers.....hummmmm

 

[Uncle Willie]

In the 3 or so years I've used a PV, I have had a total of six analogs .. mainly when Jack Daniels weakened my resolve .. and I admit, I liked them .. I have not bought a pack, I have bummed ..

Make sure the PV is with you and ready to use at all times .. and if you seem to be using it constantly, you're like many of us ..

Whether we want to admit it or not, many of us are just one battery charge away from picking up a real smoke ..

 

[glasseye]

Well, I think mostly what you just did. This IS the 'I'm ripping my hair out, please help me" hotline.

You can do this! Just look at what you accomplished today. Go you!!! If there comes a time that you do slip, don't beat yourself up. Sorry about the storm, that stinks for you and the kids. We got some here too.

 

[Leoleoleo]

Go to higher nic... or on one occasion go outside for a smoke.

Congrats to OP for resisting. There is a key concept that could help you next time: stealth vaping in bathroom stalls.

 

[ADCarter1]

I thought about stealth vaping. Will I really get away with this or will the tell tale smell of Chunky Monkey in the bathroom give me away? Of course, I could always spray the school approved air freshener but after awhile I'm afraid people will think I have some serious stomach issues and not serious vaping issues!

 

[iceman68]

Maybe try some nic gum to get you through the times you can't vape.

What a horror story though. I would have burst out the door, ran away and never looked back.

Have you considered a career change?

 

[MamaTried]

keep a 3 or 5ml bottle of tobacco eliquid in pocket or purse. if the cravings get too bad squirt a drop or two into your mouth. that should SHOCK the craving away and leave you not wanting to anyway near an analog...

 

[twiggums]

vape..... and then vape some more! myself, i've been able to fend off any craving with some chain vaping menthol juice.

honestly if you break down and need an analog then that's life, do it to it! you're on the right path and that's the important part. I've not had many cravings since quitting two weeks ago. But my wife on the other hand has had quite a bit of stress lately and caved a few times, and it's ok as far as i'm concerned. she's had like 3 analogs in the last two weeks, compared to nearly a pack a day, that's a vast improvement in my eyes.

 

[ADCarter1]

Iceman, Well, I would but I honestly and truly LOVE what I do. Seriously, teaching math and science is my gig. But, as with every job, there are some things that just suck. A few weeks ago, before I quit smoking and switched, we took the kids on a LONG field trip to Philadelphia (from 7:30am to 7:30pm). The rides up and back were the longest hours of my life (3 1/2 hours up, 4 hours back). I was also in a total panic over how I was going to get away from the kids and smoke and not be seen by anyone. I eventually did but I never enjoyed those cigarettes because you're smoking fast and always looking over your shoulder, trying to blow the smoke in another direction, praying someone doesn't smell it in the air and on your clothes. It was a nightmare.

 

[iceman68]

Iceman, Well, I would but I honestly and truly LOVE what I do. Seriously, teaching math and science is my gig. But, as with every job, there are some things that just suck. A few weeks ago, before I quit smoking and switched, we took the kids on a LONG field trip to Philadelphia (from 7:30am to 7:30pm). The rides up and back were the longest hours of my life (3 1/2 hours up, 4 hours back). I was also in a total panic over how I was going to get away from the kids and smoke and not be seen by anyone. I eventually did but I never enjoyed those cigarettes because you're smoking fast and always looking over your shoulder, trying to blow the smoke in another direction, praying someone doesn't smell it in the air and on your clothes. It was a nightmare.

My suggestion about a career change was tongue-in-cheek anyway. I envy you being in a job that you love.

I also remember all the times when I couldn't smoke for whatever reason. Always looking for an opportunity to sneak away and suck down a quick cig. And, as you say, constantly fearing getting caught, being on the lookout and such. As if we are criminals and outcasts just because we smoke. These days that's how society sees us. I grew tired of all that and don't miss those aspects of smoking at all.

Keep up with the vaping and I think you'll find future cravings easier to manage. The cravings for a cigarette were always so strong but now, if I'm not able to vape, it seems it's not so bad. Hopefully over your summer vacation you can use the time to get accustomed to vaping and put smoking, and all the related hassle that goes with it, behind you.

 

[Leoleoleo]

I thought about stealth vaping. Will I really get away with this or will the tell tale smell of Chunky Monkey in the bathroom give me away? Of course, I could always spray the school approved air freshener but after awhile I'm afraid people will think I have some serious stomach issues and not serious vaping issues!

Get some mint or menthol flavours and nobody will ever know. Blow the vapor up your sleeve.

 

[SASmith]

First of all, congrats on quitting analogs and welcome to the forum. Normally when I can't vape I just suffer, I have vaped in the washroom, I mean people do have to use the washroom. I have wondered if people can smell it, I don't smell it but after years of smoking I don't smell much. I can say that I have been vaping for about 7 weeks and the urge for an analog has faded fast, the urge to vape has not. When I did get an urge for an analog I just vaped like a madwoman and it would pass. If you continue to have a strong urge to have an analog you may need to up the nicotine in your juice. I was a 2 pad a day smoker and started at 24mg, I am now okay with 18mg and hoping to go lower.

 

[ADCarter1]

Iceman, I, too, just got tired of being considered a horrible person because I smoked. I also got tired of being lectured about smoking and all the terrible things it does to you. As if I started smoking because it was healthy. Being a teacher and a smoker is double awful to some people. I honestly had a woman ask me once how I got my job.She said, "If I knew you were a smoker I would never had hired you because I would always wonder what other horrible habits you were hiding." Because my other habits of knitting and training Bloodhounds are just beyond the pale.

SAS- 7 weeks in and you dropped down to 18mg? Congratulations!!! That's my goal- to just keep dropping down. I'm at 24mg now and don't want to go up. I figure if I can just keep going, I will eventually get used to this and then be able to step down. Especially since summer vacation begins Thursday for me, I will have a whole summer to vape, get over the cravings for analogs and step down.

 

[Rat2chat2]

Get some emergency juice. Higher in nic than you usually vape. If I get stressed... instead of wanting a real one, I just grab my high octane and vape my troubles away. Troubles don't really go away, but I can deal with them easier. Just my You did the right thing by getting on this forum and starting a thread. Support and a hug when you need it. Good luck.

 

[Smokachino]

I thought about stealth vaping. Will I really get away with this or will the tell tale smell of Chunky Monkey in the bathroom give me away? Of course, I could always spray the school approved air freshener but after awhile I'm afraid people will think I have some serious stomach issues and not serious vaping issues!

I've retained my sanity at work for quite some time by vaping in the bathroom stall. The the only time I ever heard a comment was when I was vaping Buttery Nipple and someone said "it smells like maple syrup in here!" I almost gave myself away by laughing hysterically, but waited until I was out of earshot to do that I've since tried to vape juices that don't smell like breakfast at IHOP, but have my wide-eyed puzzled look and "Really? I don't smell anything" line ready just in case

Hey, I figure if stealth vaping keeps me from lighting up it's worth it!