Why does Stress do this?

[tnt56]

Why does stress make us revert back to what we've been trying to stop. Anxity does the same thing to me. When I'm calm and the world is good, I can vape and not smoke cigarettes. (i'm not going to use different terms for this thread, I'm going to call em what they really are). This week has been one of the most stressfull weeks I've had since I've started to vape. For a while I was really proud of myself in what I've been able to do. Go from 2.5-3 packs of cigarettes a day.(50-60) down to 10 or less. Then reality hit and everything went to puppy poo. I've taken out my frustrations on all the wrong people, but at work I just tried to stay under the radar. Some calls I'm forced to respond to and I always do. People with chest pains, (I'm on the run for them), A Seziure patient, I'm there carring 50 pounds of med gear. Active shooter drills, I'm running my tail end off to find the suspect. (Practice drill). I've been through an active shooter on campus and it's not fun. When the stress hits I can't just vape. I always go back to my old crutch. I just don't understand why. I guess after I've read what I've typed I'm just needing to vent to people that understand the addiction. What is it about stress and anxiety that makes some of us revert back? I guess I really do need to talk to a head doc and find out. Maybe they are right that I'm just wired different than others? I don't know now. I really like my vapeing time when I get it. Finally finding juice and a delivery system that works. But the darn crutch is still there.

 

[noi_max]

One thing that has worked for me personally, is to carry a stronger nic juice with me for such times as these. I normally chain a 12mg nic juice, but hit the 24mg when I need it.
Now if you're already on 24, maybe step down what your daily vape is and use stronger stuff when you need a kick?

Also have you looked into WTA juice? There's a thread about it suggesting it might help some folks drop the stinkies if those extra tobacco alkaloids are in the mix. Just some thoughts.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/general-e-liquid-discussion/230570-wta-e-liquid-issues.html

 

[DizGrizz]

Dude, your not miss-wired, your Human! Stress is a real power and you have to see it that way. You can do relaxation rituals, suck on lollipops, work out, whatever helps...just don't dismiss stress as "it's just me" 'cause it's not.
Mayhaps, you should try to find a really wicked strong in-your-face juice that almost makes you cough and keep a carto or two for those high stress times. I could suggest Cowboy Killer from ... ah crap ... oh, here it is AllAboutVapor.com. Maybe even throw in some menthol in a few cartos. Idonno, might help.

 

[Butters78]

I've been taking L theanine, happy camper, and passion flower supplement and it's seemed to help.

 

[I Shall Not Recant]

Many people are dual users.

It is not the cigarettes that we smoke that are important but the cigarettes that we don't smoke that are important. Don't beat yourself up about having a smoke. That just leads to more stress. Vicious circle.

Concentrate on and be happy at all the ones you avoided.

 

[RosaJ]

Stress was a major factor for me when I used to smoke. The whole ritual was to diffuse the level of stress such as going outside away from the people/triggers, that would cause the stress, being by myself, and then puffing away at a cigarette showing my rebellious side. I definitely don't have that kind of stress since I retired, it is just different. Also with age comes a marked detachment from drama kings/queens.

It sounds like you work in a hospital setting. So did I in the last 10 years of work life. Yes, you are a very important part of responding to an emergency, but also remember you're not the only one there. You're going to burn out and get yourself sick and then you won't be able in any shape or form to help anybody.

 

[Thrasher]

what did we do before we found vaping man? we smoked. we smoked more when we stressed, it;s what we trained ourselves to do in these situations. in times like these reason and situational analysis fail us, the brain is working overtime on the situation on hand, and we revert to old habits.

it's different in times of relaxation, we take a deep breath, sit down and think " i should vape instead" when running on empty there is no time to think about our new crutch, so the brain falls back on what it knows how to do and what it can attain easily. it's far easier to light a smoke and take 3 puffs, toss it and get back to what we were supposed to be doing.

I will not sit here and tell you what will work for you, but in the past when i couldnt stop running long enough to light a cig or even vape, i chewed the gum, the 4mg mint from walgreens (dont know why but it seems stronger then a lot of others) screw the chewchew wait crap - i went to town nom nom nom nom and suddenly it was like whoa, 36 mg juice hit.... boing! and got on with my day.

be strong, dont beat your self up over this, but you know this rap already huh. hang in there bro it will always be something that was a strong part of your life and you may just have to accept that it always will........... peace...................

8 months later of straight vaping and i still feel it calling to me, that tiny little voice sometimes, every day i wake up and fear... will this be the day I fail?

 

[tnt56]

Many people are dual users.

It is not the cigarettes that we smoke that are important but the cigarettes that we don't smoke that are important. Don't beat yourself up about having a smoke. That just leads to more stress. Vicious circle.

Concentrate on and be happy at all the ones you avoided.

Trust me there is no beating myself up. I've got severe COPD to the point that I've had to have an ambulance crew pick my limp .... off the kitchen floor and carry me to the ER. I've tried a 24mg menthol but where I work at it's impossible to sit and relax and get my fix. I've even tried snus along with vape. Just a really big stumble for now. I kinda fell like my signiture. I've fallen and it's taking me longer to get back up this time. I live my signature. I'll never quit.. (unless they pee me off bad enough to throw away everything but then what the heck, go for broke at that time).

 

[Faylool]

I'll second the L theanine. Not sure of spelling. I vape 24 mg as my vape vape but when I feel I need a fix I do 36mg. I like nicotine. Hate smoke. Try the gum if things are too hectic to ape and it seems more convenient to smoke. Also. Go ahead and smoke like somebody else said. I'm not out to prove anything to myself. I just hate smoke now.

 

[tnt56]

It sounds like you work in a hospital setting. So did I in the last 10 years of work life. Yes, you are a very important part of responding to an emergency, but also remember you're not the only one there. You're going to burn out and get yourself sick and then you won't be able in any shape or form to help anybody.

Not a hospital but a college campus. I'm part of the armed force there. I deal with things I didn't even know existed till I went to work there. We happen to be one of the top 5 campuses in OK so yea there's a lot of people to deal with. I found an office that is an off shoot of our main one. Went in there the other day to relax and get on ECF, maybe order some carto's or juice or just dream for a bit. Vaped for about 20 minutes. Thinking the world is all good again. Back on ECF with friends and family (at least to me everyone is family). Get up to leave and OMG they put a camera in the darn room. I was on video the whole time. Now let's talk about big brother is alive!!!!!

 

[noi_max]

You gotta give yourself full credit to getting to where you are now. I've got family that will never give up the stinkies, or try an alternative. Their attitude is "damage is already done..." Too set in their ways.
Not everyone is as open minded. So give yourself a pat on the back and know that you're making an effort to do something healthier for yourself.. and know that you have a big support group on these forums. Who could understand better than peeps like us that gave most of our lives to tobacco?

Hang in there!

 

[tnt56]

One thing I might mention is the fact that I HAVE TO STOP SMOKING. The COPD was literally killing me. That's why I'm so desperate. I've bought some of that nasty Camel snus to try and help. Least it don't tear up my tummy like the gum and other stuff did. I've tried the mints, gum, patches, pills, NO GOOD DADDY> I got to have the hand to mouth and my fix. I should have never gotten rid of my kick bag. At least after about 10 minutes going at it I was to exhausted to do anything. LOL. It didn't hurt near as bad as the wooden work bench either.

 

[TheAngryBovine]

It happens to me, too. As a chef, my kitchen is high stress/ high energy/ long hours. I know it's not life and death, but believe me, it's not easy especially getting into holiday season. At home I don't even think about having a stinky except first thing in the morning. At work.. well, a cig hits immediately while a vape takes time to kick in.

 

[tnt56]

You gotta give yourself full credit to getting to where you are now. I've got family that will never give up the stinkies, or try an alternative. Their attitude is "damage is already done..." Too set in their ways.
Not everyone is as open minded. So give yourself a pat on the back and know that you're making an effort to do something healthier for yourself.. and know that you have a big support group on these forums. Who could understand better than peeps like us that gave most of our lives to tobacco?

Hang in there!

Oh I do give credit but it just makes me angry when I start to stumble. I feel like they are winning and I'm just holding my ground. I want to be the winner. One day I will be. I know that but sometimes you just got to vent.. know what i mean vern? At least when I vent here everyone has been there and done that and understands. Out there everyone just wants to condem ya. That's why I'm here as much as I can be. Just not as much as I need to be. And these old eyes don't do the phone thing to good. Heck I got to enlarge the iPhone screen so big I can't read what everyone else is saying. "The golden years are coming fast. The golden years can kiss my _____________fill in the blank.

 

[noi_max]

You have any stealth vaping stuff? I'm thinking for Christmas I'm gonna get myself a couple SD keyrings and some cartos for them. That way I can pop a little stealth vape wherever I am

Gotta love technology!

 

[RosaJ]

Not a hospital but a college campus. I'm part of the armed force there. I deal with things I didn't even know existed till I went to work there. We happen to be one of the top 5 campuses in OK so yea there's a lot of people to deal with. I found an office that is an off shoot of our main one. Went in there the other day to relax and get on ECF, maybe order some carto's or juice or just dream for a bit. Vaped for about 20 minutes. Thinking the world is all good again. Back on ECF with friends and family (at least to me everyone is family). Get up to leave and OMG they put a camera in the darn room. I was on video the whole time. Now let's talk about big brother is alive!!!!!

Have they said anything to you about it? If they haven't, just go about your business, you're not doing anything that is illegal. Maybe it's not their policy to allow vaping, but you didn't do any harm because you weren't doing it in public. You have COPD, if they do say anything about it tell them you're trying to stop smoking because of health reasons (which you are) and do it with a smile on your face (if you can manage it). Maybe your doctor can give you a note for work saying you need to be able to vape for your health.

I'm not a doctor/psychologist, but it may not hurt to see a health counselor to help you through the stress. Good luck to you!

 

[tnt56]

Actually I was thinking about getting with my lung doc. We do have a very strict policy about "tobacco products which includes e-cigs. I walked in one day with a twist and a vivi nova on top. Hanging on a neck lanyard. I was decent and tucked it into my underarmor t shirt. Well those things are skin tight so there was a very funny bulge. Major asks what it was. I told him it was a "personal vaporizer". What the heck is that?.." I'ts a nicotine inhaler. You mean a e-cig. "Call it what you want".. Your not allowed to use that on campus. "Then I guess I can't use my breathing treament either". The fight was on. I lost. I did stand my ground about the whole thing and when the time comes I'm sure I'll find a lawyer that will back me up if I need to. We got into the whole thing about I'ts not a cigarette cause if it was I couldn't hold it in my shirt like I do. I'm sure your familiar with these types of people. My lung doc was thrilled when he found out I was trying to switch over the the PV.

 

[Butters78]

I was thinking about this. As some as you know I quit smoking in June 2010. I picked up vaping in January. The hand to mouth and the visual of the clouds in itself is relaxing to me.

 

[JazzyTech]

Actually I was thinking about getting with my lung doc. We do have a very strict policy about "tobacco products which includes e-cigs. I walked in one day with a twist and a vivi nova on top. Hanging on a neck lanyard. I was decent and tucked it into my underarmor t shirt. Well those things are skin tight so there was a very funny bulge. Major asks what it was. I told him it was a "personal vaporizer". What the heck is that?.." I'ts a nicotine inhaler. You mean a e-cig. "Call it what you want".. Your not allowed to use that on campus. "Then I guess I can't use my breathing treament either". The fight was on. I lost. I did stand my ground about the whole thing and when the time comes I'm sure I'll find a lawyer that will back me up if I need to. We got into the whole thing about I'ts not a cigarette cause if it was I couldn't hold it in my shirt like I do. I'm sure your familiar with these types of people. My lung doc was thrilled when he found out I was trying to switch over the the PV.

The AMA is not the "end all - be all"(imo) of the medical world. There's so much money at stake; I fear we are beyond getting any straight answer due to the medical/political/financial aspect. Other countries have been doing their own vape tests and they may be of use in your endevour. See the wiki link in my sig for more info. Cigarettes are a horrible thing to have to move away from. But fight the good fight! Respect to you for doing all you can to better yourself and help those around you! Hang in there man!

 

[volume control]

Why does stress make us revert back to what we've been trying to stop. Anxity does the same thing to me. When I'm calm and the world is good, I can vape and not smoke cigarettes. (i'm not going to use different terms for this thread, I'm going to call em what they really are). This week has been one of the most stressfull weeks I've had since I've started to vape. For a while I was really proud of myself in what I've been able to do. Go from 2.5-3 packs of cigarettes a day.(50-60) down to 10 or less. Then reality hit and everything went to puppy poo. I've taken out my frustrations on all the wrong people, but at work I just tried to stay under the radar. Some calls I'm forced to respond to and I always do. People with chest pains, (I'm on the run for them), A Seziure patient, I'm there carring 50 pounds of med gear. Active shooter drills, I'm running my tail end off to find the suspect. (Practice drill). I've been through an active shooter on campus and it's not fun. When the stress hits I can't just vape. I always go back to my old crutch. I just don't understand why. I guess after I've read what I've typed I'm just needing to vent to people that understand the addiction. What is it about stress and anxiety that makes some of us revert back? I guess I really do need to talk to a head doc and find out. Maybe they are right that I'm just wired different than others? I don't know now. I really like my vapeing time when I get it. Finally finding juice and a delivery system that works. But the darn crutch is still there.

Its simple psychology is the biggest thing. Its all about triggers. You have to force yourself to change your response to dealing with these triggers. I didnt smoke like you but i had a hell of a time convincing myself to drop that morning cig. Id go on vacation and not even smoke, once i was in a different place and situation the triggers didnt exist and it was easy to fight the urge. You have to take control of your triggers, even if you can a little bit at a time