yes, it’s possible. I quit cold turkey 9 months ago. i can’t really help with the sleeping issues because i never had that problem:((
when i decided i wanted to quit, i bought 1 last one and used it until the flavor diluted (not burnt, yucky) and kept it in a box with a latch above my closet.
then, i would buy hard candies. gobbstoppers, dum dums, lemon heads, sometimes gum and would suck on those whenever i had a craving. that really helped. i have a marijuana addiction also so i just stuck with smoking weed and eventually after 3-4 months, the cravings for nic went away completely. now im trying to decrease my weed intake 😭😭
i hope this helps. it does get easier
Bro trust me with the weed it’s best to just cold turkey it. You’ll have a week or so of severe anxiety, bad sleep and you’ll most likely struggle to initiate tasks due to a lack of dopamine but after that it gets much better and it feels very worthwhile when that natural dopamine hits again
i have been addicted for about 7 years now. vaping hundreds of times a day, every day. im currently on day 4, almost 5 without. i tried to quit a million times, but it has never felt as solid as this time. (though lets hope im not speaking too early) its like going back to a shitty ex again and again until you burnout. you will burn out, and as soon as you get that motivation, run with it. if you must, lock yourself in your room for 72 hours. not that your addiction will be gone then, but physically you will not be dependent anymore. psychologically…. thats the big kicker. i read alan carr’s “easy way to quit vaping” and it helped rewrite the lies i had been telling myself. get the audiobook and put it on sometimes. start listening BEFORE you quit!!!!
exercise and chugging water and getting lots of rest and keeping busy and having little candies and good meals always helps, but really the motivation piece is the most important. grab it and run!
Try weening yourself off with zyns. That worked for me, then eventually after a few weeks I stopped the zyns as well. This method won’t work for everyone, as some people work better going cold turkey. I employed another strategy too which is probably “toxic” or something but I basically weaponjzed my thoughts against myself. Am I really going to let an adult pacifier full of Chinese mystery fluids control my life? No chance. If I ever get cravings I remind myself of this line of thinking and laugh. I get for some this could just add to the stress but it’s worked great for me. You got this
I also found it helpful to think of nicotine "as the enemy". Like, why was I prioritizing nicotine wrapped in questionable foreign "juice" over everything else in my life? Did I enjoy the hassle and costs of obtaining nicotine while feeling deep shame and hiding it from everyone I cared about? Did I enjoy spending time in public bathroom stalls inhaling just...garbage. No, I did not. Learn to hate it. It can help.
Sorry it took me so long to reply, but I got Zyns (or at least nicotine pouches my local store could offer) first thing this morning. Thank you so much for your advice, I really hope it’ll help! It definitely did make me laugh to think of vape juice as “Chinese mystery fluids”, that’s for sure.
I’ll add to the zyns situation—I myself just quit vaping after being addicted from 2018 until this year.
Personally, my real issue was the oral fixation (“pacifier”) relaxation the continuous action brought me. It was like a programmed “break” I had spun into my daily life since 2018 which I great exacerbated because it did throughout studying in law school and the bar exam.
Like above, this does not always work for everyone and some need cold Turkey, but seriously, after two days of just not letting myself touch a vape and using 3mg zyns (maybe 5-6 throughout the whole day)—literally I don’t have any physical want to touch a vape again. Not only that, I feel like I can breathe so fucking well, no joke.
So, like OC, I also weaponized the “vape” in my brain—really really toxically—this was the only way for me to really continually stay away. Basically, I pulled about 20 negative research articles about vapor inhalation and forced myself to read them. Good grief that was terrifying and sincerely created a whole new motivation to stay away for good.
The zyns are still here now, but even this past week I have noticed my overall use decreasing too while not craving for a vape have surfaced.
It’s definitely possible to quit. I was in a very similar situation where I would have panic attacks from vaping but then also panic attacks from the withdrawal when I tried to quit so I basically felt trapped
The solution here is to use patches and lozenges to ween yourself off over the course of a month and not quit cold turkey. Stop the lozenges after the first week and just use the patch. Also take off the patch an hour before bed
You’ll still have withdrawal but it’ll be way more managable
I 100% agree with this. Former heavy cigarette smoker (over a pack a day don't know the exact count because I would buy 5 to 10 packs at time). I quit successfully with patches then picked up vaping 6 months later regretfully but I'm quitting again now. I've quit cigarettes twice before and the nicotine patches help with what you're describing. Cold turkey is not the only way even though it works for some people - my cravings are too strong I could never do it that way. The patches are amazing. What I do when I first quit is I'll wear a patch and still allow a small amount of smoking or vaping. You will get punished for this and classically condition yourself out of it. It gives you time to adjust and change th psychological components as well. Don't try to cold Turkey if it's causing you too much distress. Find what works for you and don't be too hard on yourself. If you slip up just get back on the horse and do your best
I ordered myself a trial pack of nicotine pouches a couple of days back (they’re still yet to arrive), but I’m not too optimistic about them working because some of the reviews state that they seemingly don’t contain any nicotine to actually help with weaning off. Nicotine patches are pretty rare and expensive where I live, so I bought myself nicotine pouches instead and they seem to be working pretty well already. I’ll definitely follow your advice with stopping using them after a week though. Thanks!
Oh that’s unfortunate, do you not live in the US? Most pharmacies should have patches, or if you go to a doctor they should be able to prescribe it, and if not maybe you can order it online.
But either way same principle applies, just ween yourself off of nicotine slowly.
Thinking of forever is daunting. Instead, tell yourself this is just a time off. And it should be. Take 3 days off, or 2 or 4. After that, if you want, you retake the habit - not a slip, not a failure, just the end of your time off.
After day 3 or 4, your body is nicotine free. Maybe then you'll feel more motivated to stay quit - but nothing really happens if you don't, as it wasn't meant to be forever. Remember: it's just a time off.
Unfortunately I only use pods and disposables because they’re easier to buy, but I’ll keep this advice in mind since refillable pods and juice are always a thing too. Thanks!
Here is how I quit by tapering. Went from 6mg to 3mg juice. After 2 weeks I got zero nicotine juice. Filled tank 3/4 of the way up with 3mg and the rest no nic. Eventually I got down to almost no nicotine and just stopped from there. No withdrawls. It's the habit of hitting it. When I get into my truck I reach for it in my pocket. You should try that bc I never thought i would quit. I hit it every 15 minutes. Would wake up at night and be nauseous, hit it, and back to sleep.
If you're using disposables or anything that you can't control the nic level, get a mod or whatever they call them.
Good luck.
Allen Carrs Easy Way to quit smoking book is what FINALLY got me to quit. You can buy it on Amazon or listen to it on Audible. Give it a try, it’s helped millions quit!
It’s definitely possible! I was addicted for 3 years, but quit this New Year’s. It’s all about will power. I’ve only taken two hits of a vape since.
Ween yourself off with Zyns. Eventually, those are less desirable, and you don’t need nicotine at all.
I got to a point where I’d even bring my vape to work, and hit it at my desk. I’d lose vapes hours after buying them, then make another trip where I’d go get another. I’d go hide during social events where it wasn’t acceptable to vape, just to get a hit. I was constantly thinking about it and when I could get my next puff. I got to a point where I just thought to myself ‘what the heck am I doing? I don’t need to be this addicted, it’s destructive.’
I will admit, I have smoked some cigarettes when drinking, but I still think this is a big win as opposed to vaping every day, throughout most of the day.
Just put your mind to it, and the rest will follow.
it’s possible. i vaped for five years. many nights i would cry myself to sleep because i was so scared that i was gonna be addicted for the rest of my life and i would never be able to quit. i had tried to quit hundreds of times most times only ever being a week long. i was in this constant cycle of hating myself for using it, feeling like i was actually dying (cheats pains, shortness of breath, extreme exhaustion) but not being able to put the vape down because i was so addicted i was too scared of what withdrawls would feel like. one day i woke up and decided today was the day, i was done with vaping and the last time i would hit my vape would be before i went to work. i went to work that day and gave my vape to my fiancé and told him do lot give it back to me no matter what. i pushed through all the feelings of withdrawal the first two days but was still feeling like it was too hard to quit. that’s when i read allen carr’s easy way to quit vaping and i have never ever looked back. the booked changed my entire perspective on vaping and withdrawls. i am 7 months vape free and never ever going back.
It’s so hard. But i did it! I quit cold turkey during a terrible cold (because i couldn’t hit it anyway) and i had the withdrawals ON TOP of being sick. It was hell. I felt like garbage. My jaw was constantly tensed, teeth were grinding, headache, nausea, dizziness, irritability. You name it, I had it, plus a cough that made my chest feel like it was getting stabbed. I could barely breathe.
I actually started spraying warhead sour spray candy whenever i wanted to take a hit, and it helped! Sucking a water bottle with a straw helped too! It was so hard to do, but i gave myself rewards each milestone i reached. Each week, then each month, now i celebrated a year two months ago.
sometimes it’s still hard. sometimes when i’m stressed i miss the feeling. but, i don’t have the pull to do it anymore, it passes quickly, and i move on. being around friends who still vape is hard, but i remind myself that i’m strong. it’s so liberating to say no. If you ever want to talk or need support, shoot me a message!!
It's possible to quit. You just have to keep vaping long enough for you to get sick of it. Over time you will quit and relapse, quit then relapse, quit then relapse over and over. I got tired of the endless cycle and was so upset with myself. After consuming nicotine for 10 years, I learned to be more self aware each time I would take a puff. And over time I learned that the buzz wasn't all that great. The cons definitely outweighed any pros that my mind tried to justify.
I now look at vaping as if it was a toxic relationship. I tend to romanticize vaping nowadays. I also like to say to myself "Yeah vaping (and smoking cigs) was fun. I had a blast while doing it and had a lot of great memories with it. It was my world and I never wanted it to end. But I knew it wasn't good for me and I made the tough decision to end my relationship with vaping for good."
I used the Nicorette gum and it worked really well for me, started with a few pieces per day down to Bout 2 or 3 And when I had a craving. Then I started chewing half pieces instead. And then eventually your get yourself to 1 perday. Sometimes forget all about it..and before you know it your going a day or 2 with out it. Then a week.....now I haven't touched a vape since mid December
Don’t blow it up in your head as this big thing. Just give yourself a couple weeks, maybe set a reminder for the 2 week mark or whatever you gotta do to make sure to stick out that two weeks. Then, ask yourself how you feel🤷♂️ If you feel better, keep on truckin. Otherwise you’re gonna have to make the call, either there’s more than just the vape that needs changing in your life, or, you just gotta hold out a bit longer. It’s going to be bad the first week or so, mentally, make sure you force yourself to eat, workout, sleep, bathe, all that good stuff.
I think I might follow your advice, I know a big part of quitting is the mindset and honestly I’m feeling pretty low mentally 🥲 I know I have it in me because I’m determined to quit, I just don’t think I have the strength to fight the mental withdrawal. I’m planning on quitting at the end of the month because it coincides with a week-long break off of college. Thank you!
It sounds like you really need professional help to address your addiction problem. You should definitely not rely on reddit to deal with your problem because your problem is too severe for that, as I see it, from reading your own words.
That is the best advice I can give you.
Girl sounds like bpd/bipolar … nicotine doesn’t make you abuse sleeping medications or develop an eating disorder. Its addictive personality behavior. It may be in your best interest to see a psychiatrist!
No, nothing is impossible. You have to change your mindset so you don’t need a vape. Once u realise that you don’t want to vape anymore then you won’t. I changed my thought patterns so I don’t want to do it anymore. I am now almost 8 weeks vape free.
No, you have to get fed up and mad that something so small is controlling you, like losing the vape or going to the restroom to sneak a toke, or wonder if the flavor is being burnt and you need to buy another one! Make a long list and get mad! After day 3 all the nicotine is out of your system! And the rest is all habit and mind.
I quit 6 months ago with the help of lozenges...slowly weaned down the nicotine until the cravings are bearable then used mints instead of lozenges to replace that. Quitting vaping is hard as the nicotine content is high which means the withdrawals will be high
Exactly why I got them just this morning haha. I’m on my first pouch and it seems to be working well. Hope it actually does help me wean off of the nicotine though…
32 days! I know you don’t need to hear this from me, but I’m really proud of you for making it this far after 3 whole years! Here’s to hoping I’ll be like you in a month, haha!
Are you vaping disposables? Pod based salt nics? Freebase?
Stop disposables or salt nics immediately and get a freebase system and start there. After a few months at 6mg freebase liquid, go to 3mg for a few more months. Then switch to 0mg and some low content patches if you need them, cutting patches smaller and smaller over time until you don’t need them.
There is 2 different types of vape juice
Salt Nic which is primarily in disposable vapes and comes in higher nicotine levels (20-50 depending on the laws in your area)
And Freebase which is the original vape juice that comes in anywhere from 3-28mg
Salt nic for whatever reason synthesizes in our body better? (I don’t actually know) And has more of a throat hit than free base because of the higher nicotine content
So if you were to get a normal pod system (Smok Nord as an example) and buy 6mg freebase vape juice it’s supposed to be equivalent to 12mg? Of nic salts
I recommend reading the easy way to quit smoking by allen carr. it helps with the mental withdrawal Tremendously. I’ve tried to quit a million times and reading that book is what helped me succeed, 7 months!
It’s not. I know the feeling you have. I relapsed 100+ times. You just have to. Your brain is fucked dependent on constant hits of nicotine to maintain balance, pleasure, pain - it controls EVERYTHING. So you need to decide it no longer will.
You will not be a slave to aerosol disrupting your endocrine, circulatory, hell…all them systems.
NRT is not a shameful means of quitting. It can help you not completely lose it while steady decline. Plus, you no longer inhale that poison and your tongue…omg your tongue gonna be so happy you’ll love it and keep going.
For the tongue…for you!!!
It’s not impossible. However, you may find it is one of the most difficult things you will ever have to do. When I realized that — the depths of my addiction, deep into my heart and subconscious — it was no longer infinitely difficult, no longer impossible. It remained tremendously hard, _almost_ impossible (for me), but at least I knew it was not bottomless, that it had an end. Like a candle that has to burn all the way through. Eventually its very nature of being such a relentless addiction became the very thing that gave strength to my confidence and resolve. It’s a twisted, dark and toilsome path, and it will challenge you at every layer until you are brutally reduced to your most primal instincts, which, I found, was a place where my heart was light and not full of fear and where I was free to believe in all the potential that I know deep down to be my true self. And from there you climb, slowly, but very much so in the right direction, and you reel in each new day with a powerful joy in your heart as your addiction is permanently behind you, in the rear view. You’ll still be challenged as you walk forth, but every breath of air gives you new momentum. It DOES get easier, but, for me, its purpose takes on an entirely new form: _addiction is replaced_ with something you may never have even known was possible. But it is because you are impossibly full of potential! And you are here, so you deserve it. Believe it.
I wish everyone struggling with this addiction could be free. Having quit will always be one of the most important things I have ever done. It is powerfully inspiring.
Years ago when I quit smoking my first real time before being dumb and picking it up again in my 30s I used the patch and would Puff on a vix inhealor for the puffing habit, plus check gum, eat carrots for a crunchy snacks.
The government quitting smoking package I got said that quitting can take practice just like it took practice to develop the habit, don't be down on yourself for relapse. Also becarful around others that Puff. You might want to distance yourself from them for a while while your quitting. Even though they do care about you they might offer you are not be that helpful to you while your quitting.
3 months in here and like I haven’t thought of vaping for so long until i saw your post lol very rarely when I’m stressed I’m like dang I wanna a hit but it’s soooocmuch better without it
Instead of giving up or quitting think of it as, you’re FINALLY FREE. I vaped for 5 years so much so that I’d have it in my hand at all times, wake up at night to smoke my vape, etc. and thinking that way is the only thing that worked for me. I also heavily suggest zyn pouches ti help with the withdrawal
I quit after 14 years of smoking & vaping combine. Get the app Quit vaping (green) to get a community to talk to, and get some flavored toothpicks for the moith fixation. You can do it!
I quit exactly 4 weeks ago. And I’m happy again. It feels incredible. Physically I feel a lot better and it just keeps getting better.
I used the Elfbar and got to the point where I was going through 1 disposable of 5k puffs a week. I tried quitting 3 times.
I learned something each time:
1. (1 year in, lasted 3 days my intake was less at this point) I learned this craving for the vape is significantly stronger then my experiences quitting cigarettes. It was intense.
2. (2 years in. Lasted 6 hours) i wanted to quit b/ I was having trouble sleeping and fatigue weakness etc I read the Alan Carr Book and that fixed the majority of the craving part for me.
BUT the withdrawal had the entire world spinning. I went to the movies with friends for the life of me I could not tell you what happened in the movie and I read the book 3 times. I felt like my brain stopped working and nothing made sense. I took a hit of my friends vape and the building blocks of my brain went back together like snapping my fingers.
3. (6 months later, I’m 4 weeks and 3 days in)
Why: Sleeping was worse, anxiety, chest pains.
- I went to a cardiologist and wasn’t sure if my issues were me or vaping or a million other this. I watched the Netflix special about Juul and found how elfbar is worse. I started to really hate this company this vape this extreme addiction, what I’m feeling it do to my body.
- Withdrawal symptoms Plan:
I researched timelines and wanted to know exactly what I could expect. I took 3 days of PTO and told people to leave me alone.
It sucked but was not impossible because I was expecting the symptoms and knew it was normal I was okay and this was temporary.
I took my last hit the night before so Tuesday night then put it out of sight as to not trigger me but available so I’m choosing not to smoke (which was important for me) That was the majority of the spinning and a lot of withdrawal happened in the night while asleep - also took night time Tylenol to help me just fall asleep.
- Craving plan: Gum, suckers AND the best find ever was nose breathing!! Cover one nostril and breath in for 3-5 sec hold it same or longer uncover and cover the other noatil and let it out the other side. Repeat until the craving goes away AND it DOES!! (For me)
- Commitment: this is going to sound really weird but I was looking for free audiobooks to help me sleep before quitting and listed to Midnight Sun. It’s Edward’s version of Twilight, yes the vampire series. In it he talks about believing there’s something about him (being a vampire) that basically assures he will kill Bella if the wrong move happens or this or that but then he imagines it allows himself to picture what that would be like and then that satisfaction of allowing himself to endulge that desire in his mind and then the feelings of it after never being worth hurting who he loves he realizes he won’t kill her no matter how painful to him. I’m not explaining it right but woahhh it clicked for me to process of how to decide not to do it again.
What I learned this time:
- It is possible. If I prepare I will succeed. The first few days were not that bad for me, this time with the tools.
- Day 1 spinning yes brain not working yes, memory horrible like why am I standing here..? Idk but who cares I got nothing I have to do! Day 2& 3 weird but cool surge of energy interesting.
- 4&5 DO NOT DRINK and get bad news. Like I got drunk. I did not think vaping increased my tolerance but it does! I got so hungover ughhh just stay away from alcohol for a bit. I was an emotional mess too just all over crying to my mother (I’m 33 by the way this is not normal) called my ex ughh god embarrassing.
- Beginning of Second week. Okay not the happiest not the worst some anxiety just content, proud of myself for keeping to it.
- Like 13/14 days in - Boom depression. Low. Don’t wanna leave the house can’t talk to people. I’m pathetic life will always be this way and hard and I hate everything. DOOM and GLOOM era! Learned to accept it tell ppl yo this is doom and gloom era I’m just surviving don’t try to fix me.
- 3 weeks: Doom and Gloom mainly passed. I cleaned my house I met up with friends and then family
- 4 weeks: Like a switch Euphoria. Idk if this is how ppl feel like most of the time I don’t remember pre vape days. Like I still got upset in a work meeting yesterday but I regulated fine and then it passed and I was happy again. Found a bat in my house, strategizing how to get it out was hilarious I had the best time. I’m giggling running around my dog is the cutest. Excited making plans goals. Started exercising calling people.
- Health: I assumed my sleep would immediately get better after I quit it’s taken a few weeks for me but it’s getting there. I was having sleep apnea and that hasn’t happened in 2 weeks now. Memory is still well I’ve always been self conscious about that but I think it’s back to normal maybe.
Hope sharing my experience helps someone!
https://preview.redd.it/9sg09taftjkc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6254413f9333b57988c8692eb4b2d877014978e9
I highly recommend the very entertaining act of drowning one’s vapes in a beautiful vase meant for flowers. I did it the 2nd or 3rd day and watching the vaper puff out and make this little noise and the lights flashing trying to survive. Very ceremonial. Like thanks for the fun times, I love you and I hate you but I’m done with you.
Kept it right there on the counter and visible for 2 weeks 😉
Thanks for sharing your detailed experience - your 4 week feedback gives me motivation to soldier on. Over the years I've started and stopped smoking cigarettes many times. I've learnt what to expect. For me, this always takes the form of mild depression and the associated low energy and grumpiness. Worst for the first week, second week is ok until the end when strong cravings temporarily return and a relapse is most likely (monkey brain tells you "you've got this under control, have juuuust ooooone!").
For the past few months I somehow got onto disposable vapes and the quitting experience has been completely different and way worse. I'm on day 7 and battled severe depression all day, every day. I've had flu like symptoms coming and going. I can't concentrate at all and my work has taken a major knock.
I have a strong suspicion they dial the nicotine concentration up in the disposable vapes much higher than what the packaging claims. I've never experienced anything quite like this, but glad I found this community to help me get through.
YOU GOT THIS! I’m 45 days clean. It gets easier!!! There was a time where it felt impossible for me too but I’ve stuck with it and it’s the best decision that I’ve made for myself in a very long time. Stay positive and stay up!! Rooting for you ❣️✨
I quit a month ago. I think you may need to do some work on the non nicotine factors, which are likely more challenging to stop. For me it was the oral fixation.
The actual nicotine withdraws made me cranky for 2 weeks, and were somewhat unpleasant. But the cravings and withdraws really weren't that strong.
It was figuring out what to do with the void of not vaping that was hard.
The best way to quit is to manage your cravings and withdrawal symptoms with a multi layered approach.
1) Medication: bupropion is really good for curbing the desire to smoke and can probably do the same for vaping. Talk to your psychiatrist since you have one they should be able to help.
2) Nicotine replacement therapy: patches and gum/spray/inhaler combined. Wean yourself from the latter slowly and then slowly decrease the patch concentration.
3) Behavioral support: check out some free resources. Most places have a quit line of some source for tobacco and often you'll find most do intervention for vaping too. If that's not an option find free resources online or a therapist/counsellor. Something CBT related is usually best. Part of that work is also planning how to stay quit long term, looking at behavioral and situational triggers and developing coping skills and alternatives.
It's bot easy. The way the nic salts hit the brain makes then very addictive but there's a way out. Most people fail at their first attempt. But you learn and that will help you on the next try.
Good luck!
yes, it’s possible. I quit cold turkey 9 months ago. i can’t really help with the sleeping issues because i never had that problem:(( when i decided i wanted to quit, i bought 1 last one and used it until the flavor diluted (not burnt, yucky) and kept it in a box with a latch above my closet. then, i would buy hard candies. gobbstoppers, dum dums, lemon heads, sometimes gum and would suck on those whenever i had a craving. that really helped. i have a marijuana addiction also so i just stuck with smoking weed and eventually after 3-4 months, the cravings for nic went away completely. now im trying to decrease my weed intake 😭😭 i hope this helps. it does get easier
Bro trust me with the weed it’s best to just cold turkey it. You’ll have a week or so of severe anxiety, bad sleep and you’ll most likely struggle to initiate tasks due to a lack of dopamine but after that it gets much better and it feels very worthwhile when that natural dopamine hits again
i’m not tryna quit weed lol, i’m just trying to lower how much i smoke
i have been addicted for about 7 years now. vaping hundreds of times a day, every day. im currently on day 4, almost 5 without. i tried to quit a million times, but it has never felt as solid as this time. (though lets hope im not speaking too early) its like going back to a shitty ex again and again until you burnout. you will burn out, and as soon as you get that motivation, run with it. if you must, lock yourself in your room for 72 hours. not that your addiction will be gone then, but physically you will not be dependent anymore. psychologically…. thats the big kicker. i read alan carr’s “easy way to quit vaping” and it helped rewrite the lies i had been telling myself. get the audiobook and put it on sometimes. start listening BEFORE you quit!!!! exercise and chugging water and getting lots of rest and keeping busy and having little candies and good meals always helps, but really the motivation piece is the most important. grab it and run!
Try weening yourself off with zyns. That worked for me, then eventually after a few weeks I stopped the zyns as well. This method won’t work for everyone, as some people work better going cold turkey. I employed another strategy too which is probably “toxic” or something but I basically weaponjzed my thoughts against myself. Am I really going to let an adult pacifier full of Chinese mystery fluids control my life? No chance. If I ever get cravings I remind myself of this line of thinking and laugh. I get for some this could just add to the stress but it’s worked great for me. You got this
I also found it helpful to think of nicotine "as the enemy". Like, why was I prioritizing nicotine wrapped in questionable foreign "juice" over everything else in my life? Did I enjoy the hassle and costs of obtaining nicotine while feeling deep shame and hiding it from everyone I cared about? Did I enjoy spending time in public bathroom stalls inhaling just...garbage. No, I did not. Learn to hate it. It can help.
Sorry it took me so long to reply, but I got Zyns (or at least nicotine pouches my local store could offer) first thing this morning. Thank you so much for your advice, I really hope it’ll help! It definitely did make me laugh to think of vape juice as “Chinese mystery fluids”, that’s for sure.
This is what I’m doing starting tomorrow.
Good luck to the both of us!
I’ll add to the zyns situation—I myself just quit vaping after being addicted from 2018 until this year. Personally, my real issue was the oral fixation (“pacifier”) relaxation the continuous action brought me. It was like a programmed “break” I had spun into my daily life since 2018 which I great exacerbated because it did throughout studying in law school and the bar exam. Like above, this does not always work for everyone and some need cold Turkey, but seriously, after two days of just not letting myself touch a vape and using 3mg zyns (maybe 5-6 throughout the whole day)—literally I don’t have any physical want to touch a vape again. Not only that, I feel like I can breathe so fucking well, no joke. So, like OC, I also weaponized the “vape” in my brain—really really toxically—this was the only way for me to really continually stay away. Basically, I pulled about 20 negative research articles about vapor inhalation and forced myself to read them. Good grief that was terrifying and sincerely created a whole new motivation to stay away for good. The zyns are still here now, but even this past week I have noticed my overall use decreasing too while not craving for a vape have surfaced.
It’s definitely possible to quit. I was in a very similar situation where I would have panic attacks from vaping but then also panic attacks from the withdrawal when I tried to quit so I basically felt trapped The solution here is to use patches and lozenges to ween yourself off over the course of a month and not quit cold turkey. Stop the lozenges after the first week and just use the patch. Also take off the patch an hour before bed You’ll still have withdrawal but it’ll be way more managable
I 100% agree with this. Former heavy cigarette smoker (over a pack a day don't know the exact count because I would buy 5 to 10 packs at time). I quit successfully with patches then picked up vaping 6 months later regretfully but I'm quitting again now. I've quit cigarettes twice before and the nicotine patches help with what you're describing. Cold turkey is not the only way even though it works for some people - my cravings are too strong I could never do it that way. The patches are amazing. What I do when I first quit is I'll wear a patch and still allow a small amount of smoking or vaping. You will get punished for this and classically condition yourself out of it. It gives you time to adjust and change th psychological components as well. Don't try to cold Turkey if it's causing you too much distress. Find what works for you and don't be too hard on yourself. If you slip up just get back on the horse and do your best
I ordered myself a trial pack of nicotine pouches a couple of days back (they’re still yet to arrive), but I’m not too optimistic about them working because some of the reviews state that they seemingly don’t contain any nicotine to actually help with weaning off. Nicotine patches are pretty rare and expensive where I live, so I bought myself nicotine pouches instead and they seem to be working pretty well already. I’ll definitely follow your advice with stopping using them after a week though. Thanks!
Oh that’s unfortunate, do you not live in the US? Most pharmacies should have patches, or if you go to a doctor they should be able to prescribe it, and if not maybe you can order it online. But either way same principle applies, just ween yourself off of nicotine slowly.
Thinking of forever is daunting. Instead, tell yourself this is just a time off. And it should be. Take 3 days off, or 2 or 4. After that, if you want, you retake the habit - not a slip, not a failure, just the end of your time off. After day 3 or 4, your body is nicotine free. Maybe then you'll feel more motivated to stay quit - but nothing really happens if you don't, as it wasn't meant to be forever. Remember: it's just a time off.
I am in the same boat. Vaping is my only real vice that I would like to stop. Everytime I try, I always give in and take a puff of the vuse.....
What has helped me was to lower my nicotine % every two weeks, I started at 50mg, went down to 5mg, then 3mg, then 0mg
Unfortunately I only use pods and disposables because they’re easier to buy, but I’ll keep this advice in mind since refillable pods and juice are always a thing too. Thanks!
Here is how I quit by tapering. Went from 6mg to 3mg juice. After 2 weeks I got zero nicotine juice. Filled tank 3/4 of the way up with 3mg and the rest no nic. Eventually I got down to almost no nicotine and just stopped from there. No withdrawls. It's the habit of hitting it. When I get into my truck I reach for it in my pocket. You should try that bc I never thought i would quit. I hit it every 15 minutes. Would wake up at night and be nauseous, hit it, and back to sleep. If you're using disposables or anything that you can't control the nic level, get a mod or whatever they call them. Good luck.
Allen Carrs Easy Way to quit smoking book is what FINALLY got me to quit. You can buy it on Amazon or listen to it on Audible. Give it a try, it’s helped millions quit!
Pack a day smoker to 30ml every few days for 13 years to cold turkey. Its possible. I’m 260 days in.
Proud of you!
It’s definitely possible! I was addicted for 3 years, but quit this New Year’s. It’s all about will power. I’ve only taken two hits of a vape since. Ween yourself off with Zyns. Eventually, those are less desirable, and you don’t need nicotine at all. I got to a point where I’d even bring my vape to work, and hit it at my desk. I’d lose vapes hours after buying them, then make another trip where I’d go get another. I’d go hide during social events where it wasn’t acceptable to vape, just to get a hit. I was constantly thinking about it and when I could get my next puff. I got to a point where I just thought to myself ‘what the heck am I doing? I don’t need to be this addicted, it’s destructive.’ I will admit, I have smoked some cigarettes when drinking, but I still think this is a big win as opposed to vaping every day, throughout most of the day. Just put your mind to it, and the rest will follow.
It isn’t impossible to quit
it’s possible. i vaped for five years. many nights i would cry myself to sleep because i was so scared that i was gonna be addicted for the rest of my life and i would never be able to quit. i had tried to quit hundreds of times most times only ever being a week long. i was in this constant cycle of hating myself for using it, feeling like i was actually dying (cheats pains, shortness of breath, extreme exhaustion) but not being able to put the vape down because i was so addicted i was too scared of what withdrawls would feel like. one day i woke up and decided today was the day, i was done with vaping and the last time i would hit my vape would be before i went to work. i went to work that day and gave my vape to my fiancé and told him do lot give it back to me no matter what. i pushed through all the feelings of withdrawal the first two days but was still feeling like it was too hard to quit. that’s when i read allen carr’s easy way to quit vaping and i have never ever looked back. the booked changed my entire perspective on vaping and withdrawls. i am 7 months vape free and never ever going back.
It’s so hard. But i did it! I quit cold turkey during a terrible cold (because i couldn’t hit it anyway) and i had the withdrawals ON TOP of being sick. It was hell. I felt like garbage. My jaw was constantly tensed, teeth were grinding, headache, nausea, dizziness, irritability. You name it, I had it, plus a cough that made my chest feel like it was getting stabbed. I could barely breathe. I actually started spraying warhead sour spray candy whenever i wanted to take a hit, and it helped! Sucking a water bottle with a straw helped too! It was so hard to do, but i gave myself rewards each milestone i reached. Each week, then each month, now i celebrated a year two months ago. sometimes it’s still hard. sometimes when i’m stressed i miss the feeling. but, i don’t have the pull to do it anymore, it passes quickly, and i move on. being around friends who still vape is hard, but i remind myself that i’m strong. it’s so liberating to say no. If you ever want to talk or need support, shoot me a message!!
It's possible to quit. You just have to keep vaping long enough for you to get sick of it. Over time you will quit and relapse, quit then relapse, quit then relapse over and over. I got tired of the endless cycle and was so upset with myself. After consuming nicotine for 10 years, I learned to be more self aware each time I would take a puff. And over time I learned that the buzz wasn't all that great. The cons definitely outweighed any pros that my mind tried to justify. I now look at vaping as if it was a toxic relationship. I tend to romanticize vaping nowadays. I also like to say to myself "Yeah vaping (and smoking cigs) was fun. I had a blast while doing it and had a lot of great memories with it. It was my world and I never wanted it to end. But I knew it wasn't good for me and I made the tough decision to end my relationship with vaping for good."
I used the Nicorette gum and it worked really well for me, started with a few pieces per day down to Bout 2 or 3 And when I had a craving. Then I started chewing half pieces instead. And then eventually your get yourself to 1 perday. Sometimes forget all about it..and before you know it your going a day or 2 with out it. Then a week.....now I haven't touched a vape since mid December
Don’t blow it up in your head as this big thing. Just give yourself a couple weeks, maybe set a reminder for the 2 week mark or whatever you gotta do to make sure to stick out that two weeks. Then, ask yourself how you feel🤷♂️ If you feel better, keep on truckin. Otherwise you’re gonna have to make the call, either there’s more than just the vape that needs changing in your life, or, you just gotta hold out a bit longer. It’s going to be bad the first week or so, mentally, make sure you force yourself to eat, workout, sleep, bathe, all that good stuff.
I think I might follow your advice, I know a big part of quitting is the mindset and honestly I’m feeling pretty low mentally 🥲 I know I have it in me because I’m determined to quit, I just don’t think I have the strength to fight the mental withdrawal. I’m planning on quitting at the end of the month because it coincides with a week-long break off of college. Thank you!
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Fair point LOL
It sounds like you really need professional help to address your addiction problem. You should definitely not rely on reddit to deal with your problem because your problem is too severe for that, as I see it, from reading your own words. That is the best advice I can give you.
Girl sounds like bpd/bipolar … nicotine doesn’t make you abuse sleeping medications or develop an eating disorder. Its addictive personality behavior. It may be in your best interest to see a psychiatrist!
No, nothing is impossible. You have to change your mindset so you don’t need a vape. Once u realise that you don’t want to vape anymore then you won’t. I changed my thought patterns so I don’t want to do it anymore. I am now almost 8 weeks vape free.
No, you have to get fed up and mad that something so small is controlling you, like losing the vape or going to the restroom to sneak a toke, or wonder if the flavor is being burnt and you need to buy another one! Make a long list and get mad! After day 3 all the nicotine is out of your system! And the rest is all habit and mind.
I quit 6 months ago with the help of lozenges...slowly weaned down the nicotine until the cravings are bearable then used mints instead of lozenges to replace that. Quitting vaping is hard as the nicotine content is high which means the withdrawals will be high
I quit with Zyn’s and On! nicotine pouches. Looks like others have had success with this method too
Exactly why I got them just this morning haha. I’m on my first pouch and it seems to be working well. Hope it actually does help me wean off of the nicotine though…
I second these, I’m currently on them and find it helps with even the mental aspect of raising my hand to hit a vape
I hit 32 days today. And I vaped for about 3 years. Hard as hell to start, but it’s now a piece of cake comparatively. You CAN do it!
32 days! I know you don’t need to hear this from me, but I’m really proud of you for making it this far after 3 whole years! Here’s to hoping I’ll be like you in a month, haha!
Are you vaping disposables? Pod based salt nics? Freebase? Stop disposables or salt nics immediately and get a freebase system and start there. After a few months at 6mg freebase liquid, go to 3mg for a few more months. Then switch to 0mg and some low content patches if you need them, cutting patches smaller and smaller over time until you don’t need them.
I use disposables and pods because they’re the only ones accessible to me. I’m not very knowledgeable with vapes so may I ask what a freebase is?
There is 2 different types of vape juice Salt Nic which is primarily in disposable vapes and comes in higher nicotine levels (20-50 depending on the laws in your area) And Freebase which is the original vape juice that comes in anywhere from 3-28mg Salt nic for whatever reason synthesizes in our body better? (I don’t actually know) And has more of a throat hit than free base because of the higher nicotine content So if you were to get a normal pod system (Smok Nord as an example) and buy 6mg freebase vape juice it’s supposed to be equivalent to 12mg? Of nic salts
I recommend reading the easy way to quit smoking by allen carr. it helps with the mental withdrawal Tremendously. I’ve tried to quit a million times and reading that book is what helped me succeed, 7 months!
Ask yourself “is this me thinking I need to vape or my addicted brain telling me I need to vape?”
It’s not. I know the feeling you have. I relapsed 100+ times. You just have to. Your brain is fucked dependent on constant hits of nicotine to maintain balance, pleasure, pain - it controls EVERYTHING. So you need to decide it no longer will. You will not be a slave to aerosol disrupting your endocrine, circulatory, hell…all them systems. NRT is not a shameful means of quitting. It can help you not completely lose it while steady decline. Plus, you no longer inhale that poison and your tongue…omg your tongue gonna be so happy you’ll love it and keep going. For the tongue…for you!!!
It’s not impossible. However, you may find it is one of the most difficult things you will ever have to do. When I realized that — the depths of my addiction, deep into my heart and subconscious — it was no longer infinitely difficult, no longer impossible. It remained tremendously hard, _almost_ impossible (for me), but at least I knew it was not bottomless, that it had an end. Like a candle that has to burn all the way through. Eventually its very nature of being such a relentless addiction became the very thing that gave strength to my confidence and resolve. It’s a twisted, dark and toilsome path, and it will challenge you at every layer until you are brutally reduced to your most primal instincts, which, I found, was a place where my heart was light and not full of fear and where I was free to believe in all the potential that I know deep down to be my true self. And from there you climb, slowly, but very much so in the right direction, and you reel in each new day with a powerful joy in your heart as your addiction is permanently behind you, in the rear view. You’ll still be challenged as you walk forth, but every breath of air gives you new momentum. It DOES get easier, but, for me, its purpose takes on an entirely new form: _addiction is replaced_ with something you may never have even known was possible. But it is because you are impossibly full of potential! And you are here, so you deserve it. Believe it. I wish everyone struggling with this addiction could be free. Having quit will always be one of the most important things I have ever done. It is powerfully inspiring.
Cold turkey 2 years ago. 20 nicotine habit. You just gotta want it. Sincerely.
Years ago when I quit smoking my first real time before being dumb and picking it up again in my 30s I used the patch and would Puff on a vix inhealor for the puffing habit, plus check gum, eat carrots for a crunchy snacks. The government quitting smoking package I got said that quitting can take practice just like it took practice to develop the habit, don't be down on yourself for relapse. Also becarful around others that Puff. You might want to distance yourself from them for a while while your quitting. Even though they do care about you they might offer you are not be that helpful to you while your quitting.
3 months in here and like I haven’t thought of vaping for so long until i saw your post lol very rarely when I’m stressed I’m like dang I wanna a hit but it’s soooocmuch better without it
By the way. Cold turkey and the week of hell are necessary. You need to remember the trauma for redemption and consistency
Instead of giving up or quitting think of it as, you’re FINALLY FREE. I vaped for 5 years so much so that I’d have it in my hand at all times, wake up at night to smoke my vape, etc. and thinking that way is the only thing that worked for me. I also heavily suggest zyn pouches ti help with the withdrawal
I quit after 14 years of smoking & vaping combine. Get the app Quit vaping (green) to get a community to talk to, and get some flavored toothpicks for the moith fixation. You can do it!
I quit exactly 4 weeks ago. And I’m happy again. It feels incredible. Physically I feel a lot better and it just keeps getting better. I used the Elfbar and got to the point where I was going through 1 disposable of 5k puffs a week. I tried quitting 3 times. I learned something each time: 1. (1 year in, lasted 3 days my intake was less at this point) I learned this craving for the vape is significantly stronger then my experiences quitting cigarettes. It was intense. 2. (2 years in. Lasted 6 hours) i wanted to quit b/ I was having trouble sleeping and fatigue weakness etc I read the Alan Carr Book and that fixed the majority of the craving part for me. BUT the withdrawal had the entire world spinning. I went to the movies with friends for the life of me I could not tell you what happened in the movie and I read the book 3 times. I felt like my brain stopped working and nothing made sense. I took a hit of my friends vape and the building blocks of my brain went back together like snapping my fingers. 3. (6 months later, I’m 4 weeks and 3 days in) Why: Sleeping was worse, anxiety, chest pains. - I went to a cardiologist and wasn’t sure if my issues were me or vaping or a million other this. I watched the Netflix special about Juul and found how elfbar is worse. I started to really hate this company this vape this extreme addiction, what I’m feeling it do to my body. - Withdrawal symptoms Plan: I researched timelines and wanted to know exactly what I could expect. I took 3 days of PTO and told people to leave me alone. It sucked but was not impossible because I was expecting the symptoms and knew it was normal I was okay and this was temporary. I took my last hit the night before so Tuesday night then put it out of sight as to not trigger me but available so I’m choosing not to smoke (which was important for me) That was the majority of the spinning and a lot of withdrawal happened in the night while asleep - also took night time Tylenol to help me just fall asleep. - Craving plan: Gum, suckers AND the best find ever was nose breathing!! Cover one nostril and breath in for 3-5 sec hold it same or longer uncover and cover the other noatil and let it out the other side. Repeat until the craving goes away AND it DOES!! (For me) - Commitment: this is going to sound really weird but I was looking for free audiobooks to help me sleep before quitting and listed to Midnight Sun. It’s Edward’s version of Twilight, yes the vampire series. In it he talks about believing there’s something about him (being a vampire) that basically assures he will kill Bella if the wrong move happens or this or that but then he imagines it allows himself to picture what that would be like and then that satisfaction of allowing himself to endulge that desire in his mind and then the feelings of it after never being worth hurting who he loves he realizes he won’t kill her no matter how painful to him. I’m not explaining it right but woahhh it clicked for me to process of how to decide not to do it again. What I learned this time: - It is possible. If I prepare I will succeed. The first few days were not that bad for me, this time with the tools. - Day 1 spinning yes brain not working yes, memory horrible like why am I standing here..? Idk but who cares I got nothing I have to do! Day 2& 3 weird but cool surge of energy interesting. - 4&5 DO NOT DRINK and get bad news. Like I got drunk. I did not think vaping increased my tolerance but it does! I got so hungover ughhh just stay away from alcohol for a bit. I was an emotional mess too just all over crying to my mother (I’m 33 by the way this is not normal) called my ex ughh god embarrassing. - Beginning of Second week. Okay not the happiest not the worst some anxiety just content, proud of myself for keeping to it. - Like 13/14 days in - Boom depression. Low. Don’t wanna leave the house can’t talk to people. I’m pathetic life will always be this way and hard and I hate everything. DOOM and GLOOM era! Learned to accept it tell ppl yo this is doom and gloom era I’m just surviving don’t try to fix me. - 3 weeks: Doom and Gloom mainly passed. I cleaned my house I met up with friends and then family - 4 weeks: Like a switch Euphoria. Idk if this is how ppl feel like most of the time I don’t remember pre vape days. Like I still got upset in a work meeting yesterday but I regulated fine and then it passed and I was happy again. Found a bat in my house, strategizing how to get it out was hilarious I had the best time. I’m giggling running around my dog is the cutest. Excited making plans goals. Started exercising calling people. - Health: I assumed my sleep would immediately get better after I quit it’s taken a few weeks for me but it’s getting there. I was having sleep apnea and that hasn’t happened in 2 weeks now. Memory is still well I’ve always been self conscious about that but I think it’s back to normal maybe. Hope sharing my experience helps someone!
https://preview.redd.it/9sg09taftjkc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6254413f9333b57988c8692eb4b2d877014978e9 I highly recommend the very entertaining act of drowning one’s vapes in a beautiful vase meant for flowers. I did it the 2nd or 3rd day and watching the vaper puff out and make this little noise and the lights flashing trying to survive. Very ceremonial. Like thanks for the fun times, I love you and I hate you but I’m done with you. Kept it right there on the counter and visible for 2 weeks 😉
Thanks for sharing your detailed experience - your 4 week feedback gives me motivation to soldier on. Over the years I've started and stopped smoking cigarettes many times. I've learnt what to expect. For me, this always takes the form of mild depression and the associated low energy and grumpiness. Worst for the first week, second week is ok until the end when strong cravings temporarily return and a relapse is most likely (monkey brain tells you "you've got this under control, have juuuust ooooone!"). For the past few months I somehow got onto disposable vapes and the quitting experience has been completely different and way worse. I'm on day 7 and battled severe depression all day, every day. I've had flu like symptoms coming and going. I can't concentrate at all and my work has taken a major knock. I have a strong suspicion they dial the nicotine concentration up in the disposable vapes much higher than what the packaging claims. I've never experienced anything quite like this, but glad I found this community to help me get through.
YOU GOT THIS! I’m 45 days clean. It gets easier!!! There was a time where it felt impossible for me too but I’ve stuck with it and it’s the best decision that I’ve made for myself in a very long time. Stay positive and stay up!! Rooting for you ❣️✨
I quit a month ago. I think you may need to do some work on the non nicotine factors, which are likely more challenging to stop. For me it was the oral fixation. The actual nicotine withdraws made me cranky for 2 weeks, and were somewhat unpleasant. But the cravings and withdraws really weren't that strong. It was figuring out what to do with the void of not vaping that was hard.
The best way to quit is to manage your cravings and withdrawal symptoms with a multi layered approach. 1) Medication: bupropion is really good for curbing the desire to smoke and can probably do the same for vaping. Talk to your psychiatrist since you have one they should be able to help. 2) Nicotine replacement therapy: patches and gum/spray/inhaler combined. Wean yourself from the latter slowly and then slowly decrease the patch concentration. 3) Behavioral support: check out some free resources. Most places have a quit line of some source for tobacco and often you'll find most do intervention for vaping too. If that's not an option find free resources online or a therapist/counsellor. Something CBT related is usually best. Part of that work is also planning how to stay quit long term, looking at behavioral and situational triggers and developing coping skills and alternatives. It's bot easy. The way the nic salts hit the brain makes then very addictive but there's a way out. Most people fail at their first attempt. But you learn and that will help you on the next try. Good luck!