Why It's Hard For Some and Easy For Other's

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alisa1970

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I'm not too sure why it has been so easy for me. Since the day I accepted that I was "a smoker" sometime in the late 1980's, I never went a day without them. For the last 15 years or so, I would generally have 6 cigarettes between waking up and leaving for work. I didn't want to quit and this was purely an accident (a good one, but still...). I'm not saying this to brag because I never thought I would ever be able to quit, so I never tried.

I think the mind thing is a huge factor. I'm not thinking of myself as really "quitting". I still do everything I did in the same way I did it with a cigarette--only now I'm doing it with an e-cig. My rituals haven't changed (except now I'm vaping in the house, which I never did with smoking) and my e-roll and juice gives me so much of a cigarette-like experience that I don't miss it.

I have noticed that now and then I do think how nice it would be to have a cigarette, but then I tell myself that it's just as nice with the e-cig, so why ruin the progress that I've made so far? Then I pick up the eRoll and start vaping. Then that urge is gone and I'm off to do whatever it is I normally do.

I guess the trick is not to think about it too much and try to live your life as normally as you always have.
 

stefania123

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And what device exactly do you use? Looking at your avatar picture, your whole room is filled with vapour! you must have a beast of a device! no wonder it was easy for you :p

lol :laugh:

well, i started out with a blu cigalike which wasnt cutting it.. an eGo-T did the trick. but i may get a Provari mini soon.. if my picture goes completely white out you will know! lolll
 
Got to always be on point. After around a month or so, the novelty of vaping wears off, then the cig demons return.

Be strong and VAPE ON!!

Be strong and vape on! so many catchy little sayings and phrases on this forum. Lots of inventive new vocabulary used to describe Vaping and techniques. "the condom method" LOL
 

mkbilbo

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Be strong and vape on! so many catchy little sayings and phrases on this forum. Lots of inventive new vocabulary used to describe Vaping and techniques. "the condom method" LOL

Early on, I found a video where the guy wasn't just talking "condom method" but mentioned the ".... plug".

Wasn't sure what I'd gone and gotten myself into. :)
 

jenmurray116

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I'm one that had it easy....this time around. I tried last summer with a nuvo - didn't cut it. I tried again in January with an ego kit but the juice I bought was too high in pg and too syrupy sweet - all I did was cough every single time I tried to vape. It was not fun. And I did want to quit - I've always wanted to quit. And there were times I did quit - when I was pregnant with my son, and several times after that, though the longest was only about 3 months. I've come to realize that while I am addicted to nicotine, it is much more psychological for me - and a lot of it came down to fear. 18 years of being a pack and a half a day smoker, I didn't know what life was like as a non-smoker anymore - and I am not one for change. Every quit for me was like an emotional train wreck - when my Mom died, my cigs were there; when my sister died; my smokes were there; when I needed 5 minutes of peace, or had a bad day, the smokes were there. We had been together too long and went through too much - very hard to let go of that. But the thing was, I knew vaping would work - I knew it was working for others, and I knew it would fill what I needed most - the action of smoking and some nicotine. Yes, I was used to having a crutch and I still needed a crutch - but hopefully a crutch that wouldn't kill me. That's why I kept trying with vaping - I just knew. So, I ordered some more juice, knowing I would try again soon.

One Sunday it was freezing in NJ - I was warm and comfy at home....but out of cigs. I had zero desire to get dressed and go out. My husband and I were arguing and I knew I was not going to be able to convince him to go to the store for me. So, I remembered the juice and decided to give it whirl - it was a lower pg and a peppermint flavor. And that was it - I had found what I needed. It had enough throat hit, I didn't cough, I loved the flavor, huge vapor - I didn't realize I wasn't smoking, really. By the next morning I just thought "I made it almost 24 hours, I'm not going to go buy any now", and I didn't. I never told anyone, and never really talked about it - it really just kind of happened. (that time!!) Some people close to me still don't know I've quit - almost 5 weeks later. There was none of that emotional letting go/drama that I normally tortured myself with - this I....enjoyed! I did miss that first cig of the morning for a while but the peppermint was strong enough that it went away quickly.

So, depending on what keeps someone smoking determines, to me, how well vaping works for them, how easy it to quit the analogs and how they handle the switch. To me it was "nothing lost but everything gained". But that was after false starts and finding the right juice. Now, it's just plain fun! :D

Oh, and for the most part, I do say "I've quit" - yes, I'm vaping, but if someone uses the patch, gum, etc. they've "quit" so,....me too. ;)
 

mkbilbo

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I never told anyone, and never really talked about it - it really just kind of happened. (that time!!) Some people close to me still don't know I've quit - almost 5 weeks later.

Heh, yeah. I was afraid to tell anybody for about a week. I couldn't believe it was happening. I was just doing this dramatic slow down in smoking like it was just going away.

Almost like if I said anything, I'd wake up and find out it was all some weird dream. :)
 

astounded

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thinking fondly of that "rush" from a cigarette. Especially such as that first one in the morning. I'm very much aware of the whole nicotine/dopamine thing. It's a very, very nice feeling. I like it very much. Too much.

I do love those dopamines. :)

I find supplementing with the Quickmist at times very helpful as it gives a faster nic delivery that is closer to the nic rush from a cigarette. I just use it a few times a day but find it really helpful especially first thing in the morning. As you said the addiction is very complex and different for everybody but as someone definitely dependent on the nic it made a difference for me. I have also noticed that since doing this the times in the day where I am content vaping a lower nicotine level have increased ... I think sometimes I just need that rush!
 

hejira

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I'm with you, jenmurray.

I appreciate the hesitation to rush to judgment that many of you have demonstrated here as to why it's hard for some and not for others. It's because our minds are all wired differently...cigarettes have been my crutch and constant companion to use to celebrate, grieve, stress, and relax with for YEARS. It's the magic wand...and the e-cig is the closest thing to replacing the deadly magic wand with something less health-threatening.

The main reason it's hard for me is because I have another addiction that I am handling right now (accidentally got addicted to benzos--klonopin--for anxiety; not a "druggie" type person but I do have a lot of anxiety and I didn't realize how dangerously addictive benzos can be long term, and how hard it is to come off them...slowly and patiently as quitting them cold-turkey can cause immeasurable physical and mental suffering and protracted withdrawal syndrome, as well as deadly for some).

The withdrawal effects of this process--a slow taper--may be more complicated mentally than quitting cigarettes...at least for most people. I participate in another forum dedicated to benzo withdrawal support and symptoms, etc. If you don't understand the withdrawal process and associated symptoms of benzo withdrawal, then you can't imagine what it's like, even at a slow pace. I guess they served as a crutch as well.

I never thought I would tackle quitting cigarettes until I complete the benzo withdrawal process. But I want to--I feel their effect on my body and lungs and wish to be free and to begin healing from smoking!

I tried a cheapo e-cig and I thought, wow, I can do this, and I like it! But still the thought of the such a major change while in the midst of another major change is a lot to handle for me.

I'm just not putting pressure on myself, still seeking the right hardware and juice (I'm so attached to the throat hit--trying to find one that doesn't make me cough up a lung it's so harsh). I'm not even planning when to do it or how, I'm just gonna let it happen. If I don't approach it that way, I will rebel and hold on that much harder to the cancer sticks (that's just the way I roll...I know myself). But what a dream vaping is. Just so excited that I might be able to heal my body and brain chemistry at the same time with vaping!

Yah, so it's a bit embarrassing to talk here abut my "other addiction" and I don't want to be shamed (and I know no one is being shaming here) that I just can't instantly quit analogs. Some people handle change more easily than others, also.

The compassion in this community is extremely beautiful!

So there's one reason why it's so hard for some folks...you just don't know what's going on with them and everyone just does it the way they can.
 

Tspringer34

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My struggles just came from having poor equipment and not knowing what i would actually like. Also being inexperienced and having to go through the learning curve. It is much easier to learn how to start smoking than to start vaping! I just placed a large order this evening and hopefully my equipment woes will be cured. Next step for me will be finding out what blends of pg and vg I enjoy. I know my nic levels and i know what flavors interest me but I need to do research about the pg/vg percentages. It took a lot of research and effort for me to start figuring out what would work best but I believe in time it will all be worth it. Plus its kind of fun! This topic is encouraging, I was wondering if I was the only one having a longer adjustment time or difficulties with the switch.

Thanks folks!
 

Tspringer34

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Hejira,

Don't be ashamed or embarrassed, we all have our skeletons in the closet so to speak and life throws weird things at us from time to time. I'm glad your taking your time about the switch to vaping, with the other changes in your life it would probably be good to take it slow and as stress free as possible. Good luck with everything and don't worry about being judged here. I've been reading these forums as a guest for a few months now and everyone seems very understanding and supportive.

Stay strong and believe in yourself!
 

StormFinch

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You are definitely NOT the only person having difficulties Tspringer. Everyone quits in their own time and it's the number you DIDN'T smoke, not the number you did. Thanks to equipment malfunctions and quality (started before eGos were invented) it was 6 months before I could finally stop that last errant cigarette. Since then I've been smoke free and don't even miss them anymore. Relax and it'll come. :)
 

firefox335

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I've always felt like the odd man out here when I read comments like "I quit the first day and never looked back." or "I tried a cigarette last week and it was horrible! Yuck!" I just can't relate to either of those statements. I've had a difficult time quitting the analogs. Started in 2010. Vape for a few months, back to analogs for a few months, back and forth. I introduced vaping to a buddy of mine and he hasn't had a cigarette since. Introduced my ex-wife to it and she still smokes a pack and a half a day. Even after vaping for months, the smell of cigarette smoke has never smelled bad to me. I kinda wish it did, but it doesn't. I am craving an analog as I write this, even though my last one was at 12:15am New Years Day. I know if I cave, I'll cave completely and say "Screw it. Might as well go get a carton." I definitely don't want to go there. I get really defensive when someone insinuates I haven't quit. Yes I vape, but do you have any idea of the internal struggle I go through when I crave an analog? It's not pleasant.

But I know deep down, vaping is the only hope I have of ever quitting cigarettes, and that keeps me motivated. If they banned e-cigs and cigarettes, I'd probably resort to smoking rolled-up newspaper. It's probably even more difficult as most of the people I hang out with still smoke (including my ex-wife.) But hopefully my AC from Tasty Vapor will come tomorrow and knock the cravings down even further.

The question I am most frequently asked when someone sees me vaping is "Do those things really work?" My response is always the same. "They work if you want them to."
 
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mkbilbo

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I find supplementing with the Quickmist at times very helpful as it gives a faster nic delivery that is closer to the nic rush from a cigarette. I just use it a few times a day but find it really helpful especially first thing in the morning. As you said the addiction is very complex and different for everybody but as someone definitely dependent on the nic it made a difference for me. I have also noticed that since doing this the times in the day where I am content vaping a lower nicotine level have increased ... I think sometimes I just need that rush!

Interesting. That stuff is new to me. I knew about the gum and patches and inhalers but mist and apparently a nasal spray? Wonder if those are even available here. You can buy the gum at pharmacies all over but I've never seen a mist.

Anyway, fortunately, that need for the "rush" has eased off. Somewhere along the way in this past month of getting into vaping, the "morning cigarette" up and died without me trying. I guess that growing distaste for my old habit had to reach a level where the idea of having one first thing sounded really awful. :)
 

mkbilbo

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hejira said:
Yah, so it's a bit embarrassing to talk here abut my "other addiction" and I don't want to be shamed (and I know no one is being shaming here) that I just can't instantly quit analogs. Some people handle change more easily than others, also.

Well, somebody tries shaming you over that, they better hope I don't catch them doing it.

I have a degree of PTSD myself. Started with living in New Orleans when THAT happened. Then in fall of 2011, yet another historic disaster clipped me here. A wildfire now in the books as "most destructive in Texas history". Missed my house by two miles on its way to destroy some 1600 homes. I told my brother if I hear the word "evacuation" one more time, he's going to have to visit me in the loony bin.

Anxiety issues are very much Not Fun. And having that going makes escaping cigarettes that much more difficult. Believe me, I know. My smoking had been down for some time before Katrina. I wasn't quit but I wasn't nearly as heavy a smoker as I was afterward. I mean, it just went through the roof. Getting this far with vaping after everything that's happened just flat astounds me. And with those other, very serious factors, I refuse to put pressure on myself to do a "quit" thing. Long as I'm smoking less as time goes by, it's good.

I lucked out in that benzos aren't that addictive for me. I've been on and off Xanax over the last few years and haven't had a problem. Get withdrawal symptoms if I run out and don't bother getting more but they're mild enough to be irritating, not serious. But for many, they can be very, very addictive and you have to be very, very careful about how you quit. The stuff is not to be trifled with and sudden withdrawal can be very bad.

Anxiety issues, though... oof. My mother made a comment about not "understanding" and I came back with, "Be glad you don't"...
 
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wilhelmsure

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I started off when I was gifted a pretty standard mini-cig kit. Did okay on that for a couple of weeks, but just kept forgetting to charge it, and the unscrewing of the carts and the refilling ...... me off, and I found my PCC would die on me at times during the day. SO then I went back to smoking for a few weeks, and then I saw the eRoll, bought one, and have been using constantly ever since. I'm not sure why I've taken so well to the eRoll. I guess it's the simplicity of it, plus the aesthetics, and I've found some good juices too. It takes a little time to find what suits you, I guess.
 

Ferrel1134

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I don't know why feb 19 was the last day. In march the evic helped and yesterday as a almost 2 month gift my partner got me a provari. Tiffany is a huge help. The analogs just taste like crap. I like my hawk sauce peach rings and apple rings a lot more. Oh and having a one year old makes a huge difference. I've also started to scale down my nic. From 24 to 18.


Smoke free since feb 19 2013
 

Oktyabr

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Hmmm.... I've been smoking for the better part of 30 years, anywhere from one pack a day to two or even three if I was out partying with friends. I quit "cold turkey" for a year once, took chantix for a year and only started smoking again when I tried to quit that, found that the gum worked for where I couldn't have a cigarette and the patch just didn't, not for me. I have tried to quit many times over the years, all with mixed success. I married a smoker as well and if we weren't trying to quit together one of us always brought the other one back to analogs, sooner or later. Regardless, I *wanted to quit*!

I suppose I could tell you my story is that on March 15th, 2013 I pulled some cash out of the ATM and went to check out a relatively new brick and mortar store in my area (cash discount at this one). I bought my first real e-cigarette and the strongest nicotine level e-liquid they had in stock (36mg). I made it a point to stay away from any flavor that might even suggest the taste of cigarettes, especially the menthols I was used to smoking and bought a strong candy flavor instead. Partied with it that night, vaping up a storm. Even my wife was showing a serious interest (!!!) Vaped so much of that 36mg stuff for the first two days that I got sick from it, basically a mild form of overdose... BUT I didn't have a *single puff* off of a cigarette either! I wasn't planning to quit that day... I still had two and a half packs of cigarettes I planned on finishing (I STILL have them!) Learned some new vaping habits, slowly lowered my nicotine down to 12-18mg if I'm chain vaping at home on days off and 24mg when I go out to the pub with friends. I haven't had a cigarette since. My wife quit the same way a week later...

OR I could tell you that four years ago my wife and I bought our first e-cigarettes and I finally gave up the "analogs" last month. Back then no one really stocked much of anything... usually you placed an order and then waited a month for it to be shipped over from China, pass customs (sometimes they didn't pass customs), and finally arrive at your door so if you were smart about it you placed large orders, through different vendors (in case one got hung up somewhere along the way), with lots of juice and plenty of extra batteries and atomizers. All that was really available were "cig-a-likes" that only held a charge for an hour or two and "atomizers" with tiny filled mouthpiece type carts that held just a few drops of liquid... Most of the batteries were very sketchy... it seemed like batteries and atomizers would fail just from looking at them the wrong way, forget about carrying a bunch in your pocket out to the clubs and having them all work when you got there! Most of the liquid was high in PG and 18mg nicotine was often labeled "High strength", maybe you could find some 24mg but that just *seemed* way stronger than any mere mortal might be able to stand. We never smoked in the house but DID vape indoors when the weather dictated. I have a USB passthrough that I would use at my computer and often I'd consider going outside for a cigarette and find that a few puffs on it instead would make the craving pass. Finally good juice, good vendors and e-cigarettes that actually work the way I want them to are on the market and the cravings for a cigarette become more and more rare. E-cigs worked for me and my wife but it took four years of "trying" them before vaping actually stuck.

Both of these stories are true.
 
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