Juul got me

[Seeker19]

I'm sure more and more people will be coming here with the similar posts: hooked on Juul. I just read about someone else who joined a few days ago for the same reason I'm here. The news reports about vaping illnesses have scared me enough to be nervous every time I put my juul to my lips. I don't know if I'm imagining respiratory issues or not, but I always told myself that if worrisome health reports starting coming out about juul, I would stop. So here we are. 

[constanceclum]

Many people are coming here to get help with their Juul/vape addictions. This site helps with all forms of nicotine addiction.

Connie

[ossger]

I'm in the same boat, and quitting for my health and the outrageous cost of juuling over time.  Tried the 3% pods a few times and am now working on going cold.  Best of luck, you got this!

[JonesCarpeDiem]

Welcome

Smoking vs Vaping

Same addiction. Same motions. Smoking with a battery.

Whenever you get the urge say "I don't do that anymore."

This will retrain your brain quickly

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/thread/6040-my-welcome-to-new-members-12-years-of-watching 

[Barbscloud]

Seeker19 and ossger   Welcome to the Ex. I've never vaped, but we're all nicotine addicts.  It's key to educate yourself nicotine addiction and create a quit plan My EX Plan | BecomeAnEX    I can only image how difficult this must be with being able to vape anywhere.   We're here to support you on your quit.  Take the first step and make the commitment.

Barb

[YoungAtHeart]

Welcome to our community!

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....

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 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.

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

[maryfreecig]

You are hooked on nicotine--Jule is the delivery system. Cigarette smokers tend to make the same association--the cigarette is special (nicotine isn't the thing--it's the smoke, the lighter, the ritual). Well yes a little, but it's the nicotine that keeps you coming back. 

You are in the right place for quit support 365. Not everyone will relate to the paraphernalia, but will relate to feeling weird at the start of a quit. Missing what was, wanting to get over it.

You can do this, one day at a time.

[Giulia]

"I always told myself that if worrisome health reports starting coming out about juul, I would stop."  Question for you - did you perhaps in your heart of hearts suspect that perhaps vaping wasn't the best choice for that Best of you?  In other words, wasn't there an inkling that perhaps although vaping was "better" for you than smoking - it wasn't "better" than not inhaling anything that wasn't just air?  Didn't you have an inkling that vaping wasn't "good" for you?  I would suggest that you did.  Because of your statement above.  Well, I can only speak for myself and my own addicted brain.  But if I made that comment:  "I'll stop when I hear bad health reports" - that indicates to me that I knew better.  I knew that it might be better than smoking BUT, it's still wasn't good for me.  

"vaping illnesses have scared me enough to be nervous every time I put my juul to my lips."  You know what?  I'm glad you're scared.  Because fear is a motivation.  Perhaps not the best motivator, but any motivation that creates an avenue to overcome nicotine addiction is a good one in my book

Keep talkin' to us.  You might find something that speaks to you and spurs you on to freedom.

[indingrl]

CONGRATS 2 DAYS!