Quitting Juul Struggles

[Jpgonehunting93]

So I've tried to quit Juul 6 times now, all unsuccessfully. I had gotten to where I was going to 2 pods in a day and a half. When I'd try to quit, I would become the worst version of myself, extremely irritable, getting angry very quickly over small things, brooding, and avoiding people. Are these common issues with those trying to quit, and is there something that could help with those issues? I've switched to Zyn 3mg nic pouches, but it's just not the same as vaping. I really want to quit and feel better. 

Thank you in advance. 

[marciem]

That sounds like typical nicotine withdrawal to me, Jpgonehunting93‌ .  Addiction is addiction, and vaping is like smoking, hand-to-mouth,  so you're in the right place for support.

Becoming the worst version of  yourself is pretty normal, in the first days, even weeks, of cessation.  As long as you understand that, and also understand that the only way to quit is to STOP... vaping or smoking... and know that your meanness and anger and irritability will smooth out and  you will actually become a BETTER version of yourself, no more craves, antisiness when fix needed etc. etc.,  then you can do this.

I repeat... DO THIS.... don't try, DO .  You've made a wonderful decision to improve your life and your health, now you need to commit to it 100% and then some.  It isn't easy, but it is simple.  DON'T VAPE.  simple.

There is terrific information to be gleaned from this site, and lots of vapers who are quitting, so read, and post, and read some more, and before you take another puff, come here and let us talk you down.  You won't explode from a crave, and it will go away even if you don't vape.  It will seem like forever, but is only brief minutes at a time, and you can do it!

Best to you!  Don't give up your quest for freedom!!

[sweetplt]

HI and Welcome to Ex’s Jpgonehunting93 

Glad you want to quit vaping...I wonder if you would talk to your family Doctor they could suggest a good quit for vaping.  I say this because it has been in the news so much lately.  Also, I would keep here and I would read at My EX Plan | BecomeAnEX there you will schedule a quit date and become knowledgeable on triggers, craves, and withdrawal symptoms (now it will say smoking cigarettes but Nico is Nico ... you too are smoking)...then I would try and figure out everything I was going to do instead of vape.  (Healthy things, breathing exercises, meditation, exercise, jigsaw puzzle, etc.,) /blogs/Maggie_quit_8-1-2010-blog/2012/03/19/100-things-to-do-instead-of-smoking?sr=search&searchId=1... Be sure to stay close to the support site so we can help you...You will need to learn in time how do deal with your emotions, but in the beginning the important part is saying NO to vape.  Also, there was a good article from another Ex’er Annette who talks about weaning off of vape...https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/people/AnnetteMM/blog/2019/09/08/how-to-quit-juul-or-vaping-in-ge... Hope some of this information will help you out...it takes a lot of hard work, but it is doable getting rid of NICO in your life...~ Colleen 402 DOF 

[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... 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 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

[Barbscloud]

Welcome to the Ex and realizing it's time to quit.   Nicotine is an addiction and it certainly looks like you're having typical withdrawal symptoms when you stop vaping.   Educate yourself about nicotine addiction, create a quit plan and decide if you want to use an aid or not.   Understanding this addiction and the process to quit really helped me to be successful this time.  It's not easy, but you can do it.  We're here to support you on your journey.  So just reach out anytime.

Barb

[intervention]

You might find it a lot easier if you switch to a pod system that lets you vary your eliquid and nicotine level. You can then slowly taper down to 0mg and then might have an easier time quitting altogether.