cancel
Showing results for 
Show  only  | Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Give and get support around quitting

amm246
Member

Being around vapers/smokers

Hello! I quit vaping 4 days ago after doing it for about 3 years. Some of my friends and family members vape/smoke. I’m worried about being around then because they might offer me a hit or I might ask them without even thinking about it. How did you guys deal with these situations?

Tags (1)
0 Kudos
14 Replies
marciem
Member

hi there!!  WELCOME, and congratulations on your four days vape-free!!  I'm so glad you've made that choice.

I do not know the effects of second-hand vape, I don't know if it has been studied in depth yet so I don't know if it will affect your withdrawal.

I do know that once you have made the choice to stop, there is no "without thinking", "accidental", "slips" .  You undo your choice not to vape/smoke and it is a conscious decision.  It might be influenced by others offering, or perhaps having a few drinks to impair your judgement, but it is still a deliberate choice to vape or smoke.  (when we were regular vapers/smokers, we were often on autopilot, so could light up without thinking... but not once we quit)

My best suggestions to you are...

1.  Avoid alcohol for the first little while.  It is the #1 quit-killer for smokers and I would imaging vapers also.  Alcohol impairs your judgement and makes the lie "Oh just this one time, to get past this craving" totally believable.

2.  Have a plan for when you will be around vapers, who may offer you some or leave their equipment easily available (much like smokers leaving a pack and some matches right there in front of quitters... easy to bum one and ... "who will know?"  YOU will know, and your body will know, that's who  )   This plan should include polite turn-downs, and perhaps an "I don't do that anymore" announcement,   some worry beads in the pocket, or hard candies to suck on. ... and also an escape plan if you feel your resolve flagging... don't be afraid to walk away from the situation. This will only be temporary, you aren't running away from social situations forever, just until your quit is solid maybe.

best to you going forward!!  

JACKIE1-25-15
Member

Congratulations on having the courage to quit vapinng. Congrast on 4 days of freedom.

 I’m worried about being around then because they might offer me a hit or I might ask them without even thinking about it.

This is a valid concern.  It is very important that those around you are aware that you have made a commitment to quit vaping and that you need there support. Here is one blog that I have bookmarked for reference when the question  arises. /blogs/Mandolinrain-blog/2018/09/21/dealing-with-mate-friends-that-still-smokesmoke and https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/community/expert-advice/blog/2017/06/21/quitting-when-you-live-wi... There are lots and lots of blogs on this topic.  Use the magnifying glass top right corner and key in the living with a smoker. Read the blog and the comments to help you on your way.  /blogs/SkyGirl-blog/2014/09/30/heres-that-letter-to-my-loved-ones?sr=search&searchId=ee864330-113d-4...‌ is a sample letter to write so your family knows what to expect.  There are lots of ways to get around it.  I was fortunate to live alone and had very few friends that continued to smoke.  All things are possible if you believe you can no matter what when where how or who. NOPE no matter what by any means necessary was my motto. 

YoungAtHeart
Member

Welcome to our community!

Tell EVERYBODY in your circle of friends and family that you have quit, and ask for their cooperation in not vaping/smoking in front of you. Ask them not to share even if you forget and ask!   If they can't do that, you might want to limit your time with them in the early days of your quit.  Always have a cold bottle of water from which to sip, and maybe some sugar free gum or mints.

Although primarily a smoking cessation site, I have seen a huge increase in the number of people coming for help to break free from vaping. Research suggests nicotine may be as addictive as heroin and cocaine. Here is a great article with information about the products: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/vaping/vaping-101-what-know-about-e-cigs-addiction-illnesses-n1054981... There is further information here: https://www.becomeanex.org/quitting-e-cigarettes and here; https://www.lung.org/stop-smoking/smoking-facts/impact-of-e-cigarettes-on-lung.html .

E-cigarette users can get more nicotine than they would from a tobacco product — extra-strength cartridges are available, or the e-cigarette’s voltage can be increased to get a greater hit of the substance. I understand some pods equal the nicotine in a pack of cigarettes. Because it is available to you most anywhere, anytime, I believe it might be more difficult from which to break free than tobacco products - but it CAN be done!

Nicotine addiction is nicotine addiction - no matter the delivery device - and how to beat any of them is about the same. Every time you read :"cigarette" in the information I will give you, just sub "Juul" or “vape,” or “device.”   You might find useful information, as well, here: https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/quitting-smoking-vaping/quitting-e-cigarettes.

I recommend that you educate yourself on what nicotine does to your body and mind To that end, I suggest Allen Carr's “The Easy Way to Stop Smoking.” . Vaping was not a concern when this was written, so you will need to sub “vape”as necessary. This is an easy and entertaining read which can be found online or at your local library. If you do nothing else to get ready for your quit, please do give this a read. Here is a video to inform you further about nicotine addiction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpWMgPHn0Lo&feature=youtu.be.

After you have completed the recommended reading, it will be time to make an informed choice of the quit aid, if any, you will use. If you go that route, I personally recommend the aids that don't let the addict control the dose such as the available prescription drugs or the patch. If used properly, gum, lozenges and inhalers are fine, but they need to be used only as a last resort after you have tried to delay and distract.   I have seen folks become addicted to them if they substitute them for every cigarette they used to smoke - just trading one addiction for another.  You need to start out with a plan to reduce use of them over time - which the patch does by decreasing the dose contained in them..  For the gum, you can start by cutting each piece in half, then in quarters, then sub regular gum of the same flavor in between, adding more and more regular gum.  For the lozenge, you need to start subbing a mint in between to begin, increasing the number of them over time.

The idea is to change up your routines so the vaping associations are reduced.  Drink your coffee with your OTHER hand in a place different from where you vaped. Maybe switch to tea for a bit.  If you always had that first puff with your coffee, try putting your tennies on right out of bed, going for a quick walk, then taking your shower and THEN your coffee! Rearrange the furniture in the areas you used to vape so the view is different. Take a different route when you are out and about so you aren't driving by your vaping supply shop. Take a quick walk at break time instead of vaping.


You need to distract yourself through any craves.  You can take a bite out of a lemon (yup - rind and all), put your head in the freezer and take a deep breath of cold air, do a few jumping jacks, go for a brisk walk or march in place, play a computer game.  Keep a cold bottle of water with you from which to sip. Don't let that vaping thought rattle around in your brain unchallenged. Sometimes you need to quit a minute or an hour at a time.  You will need to be disciplined in the early days to distract yourself when a crave hits.    Get busy!  Here is a link to a list of things to do instead of vape if you need some fresh ideas:
 https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/Youngatheart.7.4.12-blog/2013/02/25/100-things-to-do-instea...
The conversation in your head in response to the "I want to vape" thought needs to be, "Well, since I have decided not to do that anymore, what shall I do instead for the three minutes this crave will last?"  Then DO it.  You will need to put some effort into this in the early days, but it gets easier and easier to do.

Stay close to us here and ask questions when you have them and for support when you need it. We will be with you every step of the way!


 Nancy

sweetplt
Member

You have some good advice above me...it will help along this journey.  Right now...you need to make you and your quit the number one priority...asking those around you .. to smoke/vape/ecig somewhere not around you because you quit. People are usually more than willing to help other’s in their quit...keep us posted on how that works out...~ Colleen 306 DOF 

Exvape
Member

I make it a point to study/analyze the smokers & vapers that are around me. I don’t want to be like them anymore - It reinforces my resolve...when you look at a smoker or vaper watch them sucking that poison into their lungs and it’s permeating every aspect of their being—-and you get to say to yourself “that’s not me anymore!” If they are friends and family your example may lead them to seeing the light.

So in my opinion you have it way better than smokers and vapers and can actually reinforce your own quit by quietly studying them.

Barbscloud
Member

Just want to welcome you to the Ex and congratulate you on your 4 days of success.  You've already been given great advice.   Hopefully they will cooperate and support your request.  But we can't control every situation we'll encounter.  It's important to remember it's your quit--no one else's.  My siblings smoke around me, but know it's only outside at my house.  

mypalbiscuit
Member

Congratulations on your 4 days!!! I’m on day three without vaping today. I’ve worked every day since my first quit day, and where I work, everyone is allowed to vape openly and everyone does. It has been challenging for me, too! There are times I can choose to walk away, but mostly I don’t have that option, in which case all I can do is try to shift my attention from it. I have to just find a way to distract myself for those moments, either by making conversation that I can focus on, or finding a task to busy myself with... so far that’s helping me. 

My boyfriend vapes, as well, and thankfully he is supportive of what I’m doing and he is refraining from vaping around me, so I don’t have it in my face when I’m at home.

You are doing amazing!

elvan
Member

mypalbiscuit‌ See Exvape‌'s comment above.  It might help you.  You can do this...make your quit your number one priority and don't hesitate to share that with anyone and everyone.

Ellen

DebiD
Member

Don’t go around them until you’re comfortable and able to say no if it comes up. Hang on to your quit with both hands and don’t let go. It gets easier.