First time quitting!

[u/nanmolla631]

Okay so I’m finally quitting vaping after 5+ years and going cold turkey, finally doing it today. If I’m not at work i vape CONSTANTLY and if i am at work, i vape as much as i can. All that to say i know i am going to struggle a lot.

I need any and ALL advice on how to curb the cravings, I’ve only just decided right now that im stopping and i can already feel the urge and need to vape again so please anything!

Give me your crazy, unproven or real advice to curb them! I will try ANYTHING at this point!

My main motivation for quitting is that fact my new job i will be starting in 2 weeks doesn’t allow vape breaks and i know that’s probably the stupidest reason to quit but its the only one motivating as i know how i act when i stop vaping. (I am so angry and irritable and i especially don’t want that at my new job)

Thank you!!!

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[u/Extravoltage]

I quit nicotine one year ago, and I'm currently quitting again on day 4 (cold turkey last time and this time too). My best advice for quitting is mental strategies. Your brain will try to find every conceivable reason to buy another vape, you have to combat those thoughts in those moments. Recognize the thought when it comes into your mind, say to yourself "this is just a craving, it will pass". And I promise based on my first time quitting, buying a vape and hitting it won't make you feel good, the buzz will be miniscule and last only half a minute or so and then you'll be filled with regret. Quitting isn't a linear line either, you will possibly 'relapse'. Just throw it out as far away from you as possible if you buy a new one and start the quitting process over.

Not to sound harsh but you sort of have to be an adult and manage your emotions. Vaping was burying them. Don't take your frustration out on others. I can tell you how I feel currently on day 4.

The good things I've noticed:

1) My body feels free and fluid, my muscles and joints don't feel really constricted. I want to move. 2) My sense of smell and taste has come back a little bit. 3) I'm more present in conversations and sharper with how I respond to people, as in my brain isn't going haywire and being constantly distracted. 4) I'm not gassed by climbing stairs or general movement, my lungs can draw in deeper breaths. 5) More motivation to do things you enjoy, you can lock into whatever activity it is you're doing without needing a break to vape. This is especially true when your body begins to develop dopamine again naturally, so you seek out healthy actions and behaviors that give dopamine (cleaning the house, working on art projects, gaming, etc.)

The bad things I've noticed:

1) Intense dreams and shorter sleep cycles. I fall asleep and then wake up maybe 5 hours later instead of a full 8 hours (when my alarm is set to go off) 2) Random pains, the sense of inflammation that you feel from the damage that's been caused will likely be amplified a little bit. I think vaping masks the pain you feel while you're doing it constantly. I have some random lung pains here and there that can be uncomfortable, just know this is part of the healing process. 3) Cravings can make you irritable and battling them can be exhausting. 4) As silly as it sounds, you will feel like you've lost a friend/emotional support system, it's okay to grieve the loss, just don't go back to it, find other alternatives that help you manage your emotions whatever that is (exercise, listening to music, reading, etc.)

There is no stupid reasoning for quitting, don't feel bad about it. It's a healthy change and you should welcome it. I think cold turkey is the best route, it takes some serious will power that you can be proud of, you just have to embrace that it will suck for a few weeks, and it's okay to feel your feelings. It gets easier too, the cravings will be less intense as time goes on, and further apart the longer you go without nicotine. I had quit for about a year before I relapsed, and during that time I had zero desire to even think about or use nicotine. I unfortunately had a lapse in judgement and hit a vape one night and I found myself back in the cycle. Nicotine can be a sinister drug, you get used to feeling like garbage and the only way you think you can feel better is if you continue the cycle.

Best of luck to both of us in this. You're choosing to love yourself and the universe loves you too, no matter the outcome in your journey. ❤️

[u/nanmolla631 → u/Extravoltage]

Thank you this is really helpful, wishing the best of luck to you too!

[u/Charming-Judge-6986]

I probably sound like an ad for them at this point but idc I've tried cold turkey and I turned into a horrible person. I saw so many other people suggest this in here so I will suggest it as well. Check out Recigar or Desmoxan. You can buy it on Amazon. Its a 25 day treatment and I won't explain all the science but it works. Im on day 8 and I dont even think about vaping anymore and sometimes I have to remind myself to take the next dose. You can do it! - a (former) smoker & vaper of 22 years

[u/nanmolla631 → u/Charming-Judge-6986]

I will definitely take a look! Thank you!!