I started smoking at the age of 19 as a way to socialize at University. Silly yes, but my brain wasn't fully formed and making wise decisions all the time. I smoked until the age of 24 when I wanted to quit as I was smoking between 1-2 packs worth of hand rolled or luxury cigarettes per day (I liked the nice stuff). So I decided I'd quit before I turned 25 and heard people were finding success in vaping.
Unfortunately I effectively traded one addiction for another. My lungs did feel better and I didn't smell so I felt like my main issues were solved. I'm going to turn 30 in six months and I'm finally mature enough to want to quit this for good before then.
I have tried lozenges, gum, and patches earlier this year but I found the grasp too tight. Plus, I find the lozenges and gum to be disgusting.
My issue was the amount of nicotine I was vaping was too high for me to just use a 21mg patch. I looked at the numbers and that really helped me come up with a better understanding of how much I was using. I was at a 2-4 pod a day habit which equates to 80-160mg per day.
One of my co-workers is trying to quit dip and he uses nicotine pouches and a light bulb went off in my head, I'll use those when I get a craving but this time I'll not get hooked on them, I'll reduce the number I have each week until I'm only on the patch.
This has been working quite well as I'm on a 21mg patch and about 8 - 3mg pouches down from 16 a day. I plan to be off the pouches in 2-3 weeks, finish out my patches and then be free for the rest of my life soon.
Happy quitting everyone!
