How to quit?

[Drill for life]

As most of you know I leave for Parris Island after I graduate. My recruiter has been helping me get rid of habits, getting me in shape (which I was) and just getting prepared for Recruit Training. He said I only have to lose one habit......Dip (chewing tobacco). I have been dipping for over a year now and I am not totally addicted (it’s just nice to have a dip at the end of a long hard day to get relaxed). I dip about 2 cans a week (Skoal peach or Copenhagen long cut). In the state I live in you can use tobacco products at the age of sixteen but you cannot purchase them until you are eighteen. Please post any suggestions you have (adults and cadets). I know that I will be forced to quit in Recruit Training but it will be a whole lot harder at MCRD.

[mtnsldr]

Stop putting it in your mouth? Throw away what you have and don't buy anymore?

[Billyd]

Stop putting it in your mouth? Throw away what you have and don't buy anymore?

Worked for me with cigarettes. Let your friends and family know that you are quitting (not trying to quit) and get their support.

[CAPSmith]

Every doctor will tell you that the most effective way of dropping a bad habit like smoking is to go cold turkey. Nicotine patches, gum, hypnosis, etc only prolong your cravings.

"They" say that changing a habit takes about 22 days. So if you can make it that long without dipping, you're well on your way to quitting. However, you need to consciously make active motions to quit. Each time you go to dip, think about the goal you've set and don't do it.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Quit-Smoking-Cold-Turkey---The-Best-Way-to-Quit-Smoking&id=1840071

[TruBlu]

Write little post-it notes where you most often frequent in your house that say "Marine Corps or tobacco?" May catch your attention and keep you a little more focused.

[C/SSGT Seifer]

Like others suggested, give your tobacco to a friend or family and tell them to keep it away from you, or throw it out all together. I suggest having your parents or guardian hold your money for you, that way there is no way to buy more. Going cold turkey can be hard though. You can try nicotine gum or patch as well.

[Drill for life]

Well I don't have to quit until two months before I leave for Bootcamp but I want to quit know. I'm going to go through my last can and then I'm done. Its gonna be hard to do because most things I do I dip. Heres my schedule:
A.Wake-up, put some dip in and take a shower.
B.Drive to school and dip.
C.Get finished with school and go to the practice site (one of the perks of being C/BNSGM) and dip.
D.Dismiss practice and then dip.
E.Get home and get my uniform ready while dipping.
F.Watch TV, write letters to friends who are deployed and various other things while dipping.
G.Go to sleep.

I know it sounds like I dip all the time but honestly I really don't. I never keep it in more than 30 minutes and I always switch gums (front right, back right, front left, back left, top right, top left). I know I'm not gonna for the long term I just know I have to wait before I leave for Parries Island.

Thank you for all your help and all the support you are going to give me.
Oh yea my parent's don't know I do it only my great uncle, uncle and my grandfather know I do it since they gave me my first pinch.

[devin0116]

Well I would have suggested substituting it with something else such as gum, or even sunflower seeds, but CAPSmith found research where doctors don't recommend that. But do whatever is comfortable, and there seem to be some good suggestions.

[skf_atc]

There's a lot of guys out who dip out here on the ship. They smoke too.

Best advice like everyone else has said... Every time you think about it, just remember what's more important to you. I occasionally smoke but I remember thought that being in the Navy is more important so I've made 1 carton last me my entire deployment so far, and I should be able to have the last 2 1/2 packs last me the rest, besides, being on deployment in a tax free zone means you can save up for something you really want. I've saved over $1000 so far. There's another incentive right there.

Good luck to you.

[Machine]

Keep dipping.

The only way to quit is cold turkey, and most men are too weak to do it on their own. In a few weeks you will have at least three motivated men that are very interested in keeping your mind off of dipping. If you take another dip after boot camp, then it's up to you. I dipped right up to it, even turned in half a can when they took all my shit. Had no desire to have a dip after that first night.

[Drill for life]

Keep dipping.

The only way to quit is cold turkey, and most men are too weak to do it on their own. In a few weeks you will have at least three motivated men that are very interested in keeping your mind off of dipping. If you take another dip after boot camp, then it's up to you. I dipped right up to it, even turned in half a can when they took all my shit. Had no desire to have a dip after that first night.

Thank you sir. I have way more then three weeks before I ship (more like nine months). I probably will continue to dip aterwards. I haven't dipped since last nite and I don't plan to for a while (becasue I want to get a buzz again).

[CAPSmith]

Yep, keep chewing.

http://www.sedgwickcounty.org/healthdept/images/mouth--lip-cancer_cr.jpg

http://stopsmokingonlinetoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/noface.jpg

[DerRekruit]

Yep, keep chewing.

http://www.sedgwickcounty.org/healthdept/images/mouth--lip-cancer_cr.jpg

http://stopsmokingonlinetoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/noface.jpg

My uncle Tommy lost 3/4 of his lower lip to cancer caused by Oral Snuff and chewing tobacco (Yes, they are two different things) about 10 years ago. What did he do? He went to nasal Snuff instead!

[Stryfe]

I've had a few friends and a Aunt who've recently quit smoking, dipping, etc. They all really used the same methods which I'll list here.

-Find something else to get addicted to. (Jolly Ranchers were most common for my friends, but any hard candy, gum, that comes in large quantities should usually work.)
-Print out some pictures of the negative affects that dipping can have on your body, pin them up in places around your house where you'll most likely see them most. (Bathroom, pantry, etc.)
-Gain the support of your family and friends, nothing is impossible with them by your side.

Just a few examples that I've listed there. I know that there are many quality sites that can offer more, so I suggest looking at some of those.

Good luck!

[Machine]

I've had a few friends and a Aunt who've recently quit smoking, dipping, etc. They all really used the same methods which I'll list here.

-Find something else to get addicted to. (Jolly Ranchers were most common for my friends, but any hard candy, gum, that comes in large quantities should usually work.)
-Print out some pictures of the negative affects that dipping can have on your body, pin them up in places around your house where you'll most likely see them most. (Bathroom, pantry, etc.)
-Gain the support of your family and friends, nothing is impossible with them by your side.

Just a few examples that I've listed there. I know that there are many quality sites that can offer more, so I suggest looking at some of those.

Good luck!

He'll soon be addicted to push ups, bends and mfers, and various other morale boosting drugs that he won't have time to think about dipping.;)

[Ben Shotalot]

Cold Turkey. If you don't care about your health, then take a look at how much money you are wasting. Get your rush by scuba diving or jumping out of airplanes. Spend it there. You'll be able to afford the real fun stuff after you start getting a regular paycheck while serving your country, but don't waste your life energy (money) on cigs, snuff, chew, whatever.