First step

[Candyy]

Not  sure where to start this but being apart of something like this is what is going to get me through this. Stopped smoking cigarettes 1/24/2014. Started vaping the same day, it was a major task for me! I haven't touched a cigarette since. Now I'm addicted to vaping, afraid of where my lungs stand at this point. 37 and quiting vaping because I have teenage kids that are now experimenting themselves. Quitting because I feel like it consumes my existence, my damn pacifier like I'm 2 and need something to complete me. I'm ready and terrified at the same time. Hopefully getting support as this journey happens

[Roj]

Congrats on your decision to save your life and encourage your teens to be non smokers....i smokes for 46 years and when I quit just 15 days ago I found chewing straws helped immensely the first few days...you got this!

[sweetplt]

Hi and Welcome to Ex’s Candyy 

I feel for you hon...you traded one addiction for another...and it seems from what I am seeing quitting Juul is even tougher because you can do it so many more places than smoking...anyways, even with that we are seeing so many successful Juul quitters here at Ex’s...I would suggest you read at My EX Plan | BecomeAnEX set a quit date and prepare for it...also, read the blogs here about Juul and smoking cigarettes...since both are smoking and an addiction in my opinion...keep busy...with healthier tasks, take a walk, drink water, pray, meditate, take up a craft, etc., keep close to the support site for help...lead by example for your kids, but keep them educated that if they didn’t start ... don’t...get the facts...we are here for you...start working it...and Happy Thursday, one step at a time...Colleen 318 DOF 

[YoungAtHeart]

Welcome to our community!

Becoming part of this community is a good first step.  Read, prepare, plan, participate here and commit - great next steps!

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.”   The one thing different I would recommend is that you first start to reduce the nicotine content of the pods.  Start with a lesser amount in, like, one in every four, then three, etc. until you are only using the smallest amount, or reduce the amount of nicotine in the pods over time That way the physical withdrawal should be more manageable. You might find useful information, as well, here: https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/quitting-smoking-vaping/quitting-e-cigarettes.

I strongly suggest that you educate yourself on what nicotine does to your body and mind.   To that end, I recommend 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.

It will be informative if you do the tracking and separation exercises recommended here on the site. As you track each device use, note its importance, and what you might do instead. Put each use off just a little to prove that you don't NEED a puff just because you think you do

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

[Barbscloud]

Welcome to the Ex.  Support from this site has been beneficial for many wanting to end their nicotine addiction.  There are many vapers coming to this site recently wanting quit.  Certainly the new stories have been scary.   Educate yourself about nicotine addiction and create quit plan.  Decide if you want to go cold turkey, use NRT, or medication and get started.  Set a date and take the jump.   We're here to support you on your journey.

Barb

[Barbara145]

So glad you found this site.  I could never quit until I found Ex.  I needed so much support.  That is what I found here.  You can do this.

[maryfreecig]

Welcome to Ex. One thing Ex is really good at is helping us change our thinking about nicotine addiction/dependency so that we can get on with recovery. It's a one day at a time job. Please stick around, read, learn, share.

[elvan]

Without EX, I could never have quit and stayed quit.  Between the education and the amazing support, I was able to build my own commitment not to smoke, NO MATTER WHAT.  I used the mantra NOPE, Not One Puff Ever and it really resonated with me.  I won't tell you that it was easy but I WILL tell you that it was worth it!

Welcome to EX,

Ellen

[Candyy]

Wow I am floored by the support that I have and I'm a stranger. I am 3 days cleared of not smoking my e-cigarette and it feels super great! Thank you all this is going to save my life!

[maryfreecig]

You may feel like a stranger but you are not. Ex is for all of us and that means you!!! No one has to earn a place here. Keep working your quit, you are doing great!!!

[elvan]

Candyy‌ There are  no strangers here, we are all on the same journey to recovery.  I agree with maryfreecig‌ that you are doing great!

Ellen