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Give and get support around quitting

DD13
Member

Vaping

I haven’t smoked an actual cigarette since 2011. However, I recently got hooked on the fad of vaping and having a really hard time kicking that habit more so than actual cigarettes. Any suggestions ??? 

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4 Replies
sweetplt
Member

Hi and Welcome to Ex’s...DD13 

Glad you found our site...First, I suggest you read at My EX Plan | BecomeAnEX and set a quit date...then prepare for that day like no other...especially finding a list of healthy things you will do in place of vaping.  

Then become knowledgeable about vaping and effects with blogs and/or on the internet.  We have a group for Ecig and vape you may want to join 

E-Cig and Vape Quitters and Users 

Also, this is not an easy journey, it takes hard word and making you and your quit priority one...keep close to the support site to encourage other’s on their journey quit and to get help...now start working...and a Happy Saturday ~ Colleen 285 DOF 

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JACKIE1-25-15
Member

It is advisable to focus on preparing and planning. As sweetplt indicated go to My EX Plan | BecomeAnEX  Quitting vaping may be a bit harder than quitting cigs because you can vape anywhere, anytime.  Here are a few links to help you get started. Quitting E-cigarettes | Guides & Tools | BecomeAnEX  Education is the key to s successful quit. It takes work and the commitment not to take a puff no matter what is happening.  To be honest you will learn that the addiction to nicotine creates the stress To help you get acquainted with maneuvering  Getting Started Guide.

Here is a blog from a Juul survivor https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/people/AnnetteMM/blog/2019/09/08/how-to-quit-juul-or-vaping-in-ge...‌ Stay close.  Addiction is addiction no matter what device you use.  Learn the law of addiction. /blogs/JACKIE1-25-15-blog/2019/02/01/know-the-law?sr=search&searchId=ab2cb182-e4ef-4e81-bc99-c41cfc0...

Barbscloud
Member

Welcome to the Ex.  Please read the material suggested.  Understanding nicotine addiction and having a quit plan are the keys to success.   Having a support group has made all the difference for me.  From all the vaper's we're hearing from, I have no doubt how difficult this is.  You can vape anywhere!.  This is not easy, but you can do it if you want it.  Make the commitment, pick a quit date and begin your journey to freedom.  We're here to support you, so just reach out.

Barb

YoungAtHeart
Member

Welcome to our community!

I am glad to hear you have chosen to quit vaping.  Once touted as a "safe" alternative to cigarettes, the news lately about illness is shedding new light on it.

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