Quit Smokeless Hall of Fame Archive

- Take the first step and take it an hour and then a day at a time. The hours will turn into days and the days into weeks.

- Realize that every minute packing takes two minutes of precious time away... the minute that you are spending ignoring friends/family and the additional minute you're taking off your life.

- Be honest with yourself. It's not the things in life you do that you regret, it's the things you don't do that you'll regret. I'm not sure if you'll look back with pride for your tin a day habit.

- Do whatever it takes. If it means gaining 30 pounds then do it.

God Bless- Mules

Then I found this great website. Thanks to Matt and everyone who has posted here whether they have succeeded or failed. I strongly believe that this place was the biggest factor of my success.

100 days down, life to go...

Then I hit day three.

And I realized I needed help to quit this evil habit. My help came from this great forum, and from the Lord. I've come to the conclusion that I've reached my maturity as a man by fighting and winning this battle. God bless everyone here fighting the same battle.

First, anyone can quit smokeless tobacco. It is no harder on any of you than it was for me or anyone else in the HOF. Do not wait for the first of the month, when things calm down at work, etc. Do it now.

Second, as long as you're not using tobacco, there is no wrong way to quit. Nic. Gum, patch, fake stuff, whatever. You will eveuntually be tobacco and nicotine free.

Third, embrace the fellow quitters on this forum. Your struggle is our stuggle. We are all in this together.

Fourth, don't let your crave become a cave. A crave will pass whether you dip or not. A crave will not become a cave unless you buy snuff; open snuff; pinch snuff between your fingers and put snuff in your mouth. Its about choice.

Fifth, don't ever fall into the "one dip won't hurt" mindset. As set forth above, I fell into that trap big time. Hopefully it won't cost me.

Sixth, when you're feeling depressed, be proud of quitting tobacco. I made partner the same week I made the HOF and I can honestly say that I am more proud of quitting tobacco than my promotion. (just don't tell my firm).

Seventh, and this is purely optional: Support this site. After I finish this message, I'm going to pay a little visit to the "PayPal" and make a donation. How many of us have bragged/noted how much money we've saved by quitting snuff. I'd like to give a little back to the site so more people can make use of this resource and get off the tin.

Well so much for being brief. Thanks Matt and God Bless you all.

Your site helped a lot. I hope that I can help at least one person quit chewing. Once you get past the hump of about 35 days, it just gets easier.

Then my life changed. My wife and I had our first child in September. I can remember the first few nights just watching her sleep. But the memory that changed my life was when our baby was screaming at the top of her lungs while we were both asleep in bed. I jumped out of bed and went running straight for my can of Copenhagen. My wife followed me out of the bedroom thinking I was going to help the baby, when she realized what I was doing. I had to have a dip before I could take care of this precious, needy, and wanting child.

She did not say anything to me, just walked past me to the baby's room. It was at that moment I realized my priorities are out of line. I vowed to get control of my life again.

After some research, I vowed to quit for the um-teenth time. This time I could not fail. Now I was not only failing myself, but my wife, and my unknowing daughter. With the help of this site and my own determination, I have been able to regain control of my life. Because of the support of men I will never meet, there is a 0% chance I will dip today.

That has been my mantra through this entire journey. There is a 0% chance I will dip today. Yesterday is gone and out of my control. Tomorrow is not yet here and may never arrive. I can only control my actions and reactions for today. Today, I choose not to use tobacco.

#1. I've quit twice before. This will be my last time going through this torture. The reason I failed before was in succumbing to the "just one dip" thing at a party and the second time by starting up gradually through smoking cigars (then chewing them!). Face it, we're addicted to nicotine. You can't have it anymore, period! You do, you'll find yourself back where you were.

#2. I woke up December 1st, 2001 and said I don't do this anymore. There was no question in my mind that I'd fail. If you're approaching it with that type of commitment, you won't either. You're not TRYING to quit. BY THE GRACE OF GOD, YOU WILL QUIT! Nor will you ever go back to it.

May God bless us all as we try to take better care of one of the most precious gifts He's given us--our bodies, our lives.

For the new quitters, my advice is pretty simple -- read everything you can on this site. Read the archives and spend some time in the HOF. Pick any of the HOFers (or more than one if you have the time), do a search and follow them through their quitting process. Finally, hold yourself accountable - post, don't just lurk in the shadows. Remember, you have to take affirmative action to start chewing again, you make that decision and you can resist it. Despite what your urges might tell you early on, tobacco can't remedy something that made you angry, sad, depressed, etc. And know that the next dip may be the one that causes the sore that won't heal, and there's no going back after that. None of those are original thoughts - all are borrowed from the experts at QuitSmokeless.

Thanks to Matt for the site and to the numerous members that have supported me (even if it was unknowingly as I read the old posts). There are too many names to list, so thank you all.

Well, I don't have much else to say, thanks to all, Don and Mike for there support, and talk to you later.

Also, I am still keeping my deal with myself. If I decide I must dip again, then in order to have the dip I have to buy two cans. The first can I have to eat, all of it. Then I can have a dip out of the second can. Visualize it, it helps me through a crave. Take care all...

PS - The HOF bunnies are all that they were said to be!!!

First. Don't be afraid of quitting. Make up your mind, then do it. Secondly: Visit this site daily. Read, soak, understand and POST. Third: 1st 48 hours are the hardest. After that, it's really manageable. (At least for me so stay positive) Forth: Most important-Change your behavior........if you do this, you will beat the demon.

My experience has been really modifying my behavior to all the things that I did while dipping. There is no reason to dip while driving, golfing, working at the computer, fishing, hunting, and so on and so on.

As for a confession. These past 100 days for me have been my second attempt at quitting, (I quite a few years ago for over a year) The main difference here is I wanted to stop this time. I have dipped a can a day for 10 years and it has ruled my life. I didn't want that anymore so I quite and you can to.

If you are reading my post and you are still dipping and on the fence. Jump down and quit today. NOW.

If you are reading my post and you are on you way to the HOF............good for you, You can do it. I'll hold the door open for you.

Thanks again to all that have helped me. Quitting does not end at 100 Days, you must keep on quitting every day from here on out.

I'll be back to check on you guys/gals

1. I siked myself up to quit. I kept thinking about the future, and how great it was going to be to be dip-free.

2. I decided that no matter what, I was done chewing. I told myself over and over "I don't chew any more".

3. I ordered the Dipstop program, and began doing it the day I got it.

4. I visited this site every chance i got.

5. I quit for me, and my health.....nothing else.

6. I set small goals for myself and rewarded myself for each goal I met.

7. I told everyone I know that I was quitting. This was very important because I turned into a real asshole for the first couple weeks.

8. I made a dentist and cancer screening appointment.

9. I decided I would start bleaching my teeth when I was done using Bacc-Off and SMC.

10. I took pride in my Quit Track and thought about how it would suck to have it go back to 0 and have to start all over again.

I could not have quit without Quitsmokeless.org, the Quit Track, the Dipstop program, Bacc-Off, Smokey Mountain Chew, and the patience and support from my family and friends.

Today is my 4 month anniversery and I can safely say that I have done it. I will never chew again. Instead, I will keep rewarding myself for not chewing.

Don't put it off any longer, psych yourself up and quit now !

I would like to thank everybody who ever posted and understood about all the trials and tribulations quitting this brutal habit. I especially want to thank my brother Darren. Darren, had you not encouraged me, and encouraged me and encouraged me to keep going to this site I would not be HOF today. I am sorry that the pack we made (that you stuck to) to quit together was broken by me back in November. Thanks for understanding. So you made HOF 41 days before I did and I am proud of you for that. Thanks for all the support.

And for all those who are wondering out there if Darren is really gay, HE ISN'T. I made the whole thing up.

Keep up the good fight. Congrats to all my graduating class, hope you all post today. CHUBBY IS OUT!

Friends, there are only two things I can tell you here with any scientific certainty. First. Quitting tobacco today will greatly enhance the probability of your living a longer, healthier, and more prosperous life. Second. Scientists and laboratory mice across the country are just discovering the oral-cancer combating properties of green tea. But if you're reading this you already knew the first one (even if you don't care to admit it) and you probably need every advantage you can get with regard to the second. So what the hell, you've put stupider things into your mouth, drink green tea. Chew green tea. Gargle with green tea.

Viva antioxidants. Neutralize the free radicals. It's a Jihad against cancer.

Otherwise, the rest of this is just the meandering of a guy who is a 100 days ahead of where you need to be in a 100 days. So take it for what it is worth. There are no magic bullets here - just time and tenacity, both of which will be on your side if you let them.

But first things first.

You must know that starting today the gig is up.

In life there are but a few certain inalienable truths: "what goes up must come down," "E=mc2," "for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction," "death and taxes." The one inalienable truth you should know about today is "everyone has to quit - eventually." Oh sure you may not quit today. You may not quit tomorrow. You may not quit for another 20 years. You may quit before you have to quit, or you may quit 10 minutes before the surgeon lops off a chunk of that tobacco chewing face of yours.

But you will quit. Everyone must quit eventually.

Today is as good a day as any other day to quit. So quit today. Quit tomorrow, quit yesterday, quit once, quit twice, quit five times if you have to. Quit cold turkey, quit with seeds, quit with candy, quit with whiskey, rum, and tequila. Quit with patches, gum, pills, hypnosis, magic crystals, transcendental meditation, or hyperbolic extension of intergalactic space travel. There must be 50 ways to quit tobacco. So choose one way, choose 50 ways but . . . . QUIT.

Quit now or quit at the urging of your oral surgeon. I did it the latter, you be smart and do the former.

Celebrate.

Don't be sad, don't despair if I did this you can too. Tobacco is the false friend who stabbed you in the back, robbed you, beat you, raped you, and left you for dead in a gutter on an unfamiliar street, in a country who's language you don't even speak. Mourn the passing of your friendship appropriately. Take yourself, take your loved ones, take your dog, or take your best friend out to dinner. Today, the day you quit tobacco - in all the adult years of your life - today, this day, it is the day you made the wisest decision you ever have, and may ever make. So celebrate.

Pray to your God. Seek the wisdom of your science. Do both! It can't hurt.

Breath deep. Exhale. This too shall pass.

Capitalize on the power and resolution of your conviction. Get mad, stand up, say your piece, shake your fist at the devil, talk the old bastard down. It's therapeutic. It's rejuvenating. But don't even worry about I'm saying today. You won't appreciate it until you stand back and look at yourself a 100 days from now. 100 days from now you will see yourself in a way that you simply cannot grasp today. Its something I just cannot communicate. You will see where you've been. You will see where you've come. It is beautiful. Trust me. I've been there. I've been here. It's better here than there.

But there are dark sides.

You must know full well there will be those who wish to undermine you. Weaken you. Justify their own weakness, addiction, and shortcomings. Understand too that friends come and friends go, but you only get one life. So act accordingly.

Don't expect anyone else to support you. Don't quit for anyone but you. Who was it that was stuffing your face chock full of tobacco for the past twenty whatever years? Your wife and your children? Your girlfriend and your lover? It was you. And who is going to shout down the hobgoblin demon that belts you square between the eyes at 3:30 in morning shouting, "give me nicotine?" It is you.

Oh don't misunderstand me. There is nothing wrong with wanting to quit so you can live to see your children's children, so you can spend more time with that beautiful wife, so you can retire and build a condo in Orlando or play golf in Arizona. But there is nobody but you to blame for getting you into this mess. There is nobody but you that is going to get you out of this mess.

So lets keep that straight.

Don't worry about cancer. Or worry like hell about cancer. But know this, as Mary Schmich once said, "Worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum." So make an appointment. See a dentist. In the law we call this mitigating your damages. In life we call it taking care of business. And here I call it stupid if you don't.

What if you have cancer? What if you don't? Maybe you'll get it. Maybe you won't. Maybe you'll climb Mt. Everest on your 100th birthday. Seriously my friend, life's consequences are half chance. Maybe you have good genetics. Maybe you don't. Maybe you quit in time. Maybe you didn't. Maybe you showed up for work early on September 11th maybe you didn't.

This doesn't mean you shouldn't shake, rattle and tilt the table as much as you can. So like I said G*R*E*E*N T*E*A

Remember what your Mother said.

Drink water. Lots of water. Take a vitamin supplement. Exercise. You will gain weight. But dead men tell no tales and fat men can loose weight. First things first is what I say.

And finally,

If you haven't visited Arlington National Cemetery once in your life, you should someday. It is an indescribably humbling realization to know you owe your life to so many whose faces you do not even know.

Of course I write as if tobacco is a uniquely American addition. It is not. If you come by this posting in a land, which is not mine, insert your own point of national pride here.

Either way, in time, you will regard the Quit Smokeless Cafe in the same way.

Oh sure, some Brothers and Sisters here will whine. Some will boast. Some are weak and some are arrogant. But in time you will know - so are you. This battle brings out the best and the worst of you.

In time you will need the Quit Smokeless Cafe less and less. But then at 5:30 in the afternoon, on a day that's yet to be announced, you will be blindsided by a sucker punch to the kidneys, t-boned at the busiest intersection in town. And when that day comes - and it will - know that, QuitSmokeless.Org will always be here for you.

I once thought I could list the names of every person who helped me in this journey. I realized I could not. Every man, every woman who has posted before today - I have read your post. If you post here tomorrow - I may read your post. To all of you I must thank you from the bottom of my heart. I do not even know your face but you may have saved my life.

This, my friend, is the circle of life. Welcome.

Good luck. God bless. Keep fighting the good fight.

John "JR" Proper April 17, 2002, 3:15 pm mst (100 days)
Scottsdale Arizona

I wont bore everyone with a typical HOF post but to say that if I can beat the beast, anyone can. I agree with most of the posts Ive read throughout the 100 days. Especially those that said that the only way to quit is if you really want to.

Like many people, Ive tried multiple times over the past 12 years and could never do it. Not for a girlfriend, or later a wife, or even family. This time was different.

4 differences that led to my success:

#1 I deliberately waited until Jan 8th so that I could differentiate it from a typical New Year's resolution.

#2 In the first 2 days I cut way back (3 dips/day vs. 1 can/day)

#3 Because dipping is so psychological, those 3 dips I took, I made sure were at odd times. None when I woke up or after any meals.

#4 No one forced me to quit. I did it because I wanted to.

Just those 4 differences enabled me to quit this deadly habit absolutely cold turkey. No Smokey Mountain or BaccOff. No Nicorete gum or even the patch. Just a heavy helping of water, green tea (drinking not packing) and regular chewing gum.

The first week is hell and not a day goes by without missing it. But my will is so strong now, I couldnt possibly go back. Not even a "just this one time" dip. That is trouble.

SO, thank you all for your help. I owe it to you.

"Quit dipping"

I typed those two words into a search engine and it changed - possibly saved - my life. At the time I was 70-something days into my 137th (?) attempt to quit in the past 10 years. Like most of you, I had set quit dates based on special events: every New Year's Day, my birthday, my wife's birthday, the births of both of my children, etc. And, of course, I caved every time. Then, on 1/13/02 - a random Sunday - I ran out of Copenhagen. Needless to say, this was extremely distressing to a can-a-day, 18-year addict. But something in me said, "This is the day to quit. You had your last dip last night." No great fanfare, no red circle on the calendar, no ceremonial "final dip" (I'd already had about a million of those)…just a mental commitment to make it work this time.

My crutch was Nicorette. Some here feel that you haven't really quit if the nicotine demon is still coursing through your veins, but it worked for me. I promised myself that when the cravings got unbearable, I'd chew at least one piece of gum before I broke down and bought a can. I kept that promise and it's kept me out of the 7-11 every time, my friends. And like they say, "Whatever gets you through the day, as long as it's not a dip."

Then, through the grace of God and the technology of Google, I found myself at this site. I couldn't believe that there were so many people like me, fighting this addiction. I read and posted like a madman, marveling at how we all suffered the same mental and physical challenges and milestones on this journey…and how we all had similar stories about how we got hooked on this junk. I got some great advice from my newfound cohorts, including a strong suggestion that I get off the gum - and so I did. I found myself emailing "newbies" and offering my advice, and I felt a profound sense of satisfaction and accomplishment when they replied that my support was helping them. In truth, it was helping me as much as them. Because the true magic of this community - the thing that makes it work for all of us - is the fact that we feel committed to our fellow members as well as to ourselves. It's easy to let ourselves down, and we've all done it countless times in failed quit attempts. But coming here, sharing our struggles, offering support and advice…all of this raises the stakes and gives us the additional motivation and conviction we need to keep on quitting.

For those of you just starting on this journey, my only advice is to devour everything you can on this site. Most important, develop a relationship with your friends here and take the journey step by step with them. Raise your own stakes - it will make it easier to re-commit if you fail, and it will make it all the more glorious when you succeed and share your success with your fellow quitters. Check the Cancer Gallery every time you come here. Read posts from the HOF veterans describing how completely different your life will be when you're not spending so much time focusing on where/when you're going to be able to work in that next dip of snuff. Drink tons of water, exercise, eat mint, chew seeds or gum, stand on your head, whatever it takes…just do not ever put tobacco in your mouth again. And when you reach the HOF I challenge you to join the "Hundred for a Hundred" club by donating $100 to this site for helping you put 100 tobacco-free days behind you.

Now I've been nicotine-free for the longest time in my adult life and I owe it all to Matt and the community that we've all built here. I've never felt better about myself…physically and emotionally. I know I'll continue to have challenges and I'll have many opportunities to cave, but I won't let it happen because I've made a commitment to myself and to all of you here: I don't dip anymore. So here's my final farewell to that miserable old friend of mine who tried to kill me:

Ode on a Tin of Cope

What is about that little tin can,
Whose contents made me feel like a man?
Why is it that I got started on dip?
Whose idea was it to stuff that crap in my lip?

I started with Skoal like so many others,
Then stepped up to Cope with my fraternity brothers.
I loved the elation brought on by the snuff
Soon a can a day was barely enough.

Before I knew it, dip was just part of life.
It helped me to deal with everyday strife.
And the glorious feeling as it coursed through my veins,
My heart would be racing, causing minor chest pains.

And at work - how fantastic - hiding spit cans and jars,
How cool - I spilled brown spit in both of my cars!
The stains won't come out, and the odor still lingers
And how did I get the yellow stains off my fingers?

Yes, it was truly my own slice of heaven,
When I'd find an excuse to hit 7-11.
I'd pick up a can (but nothing to eat)
And a one-dollar Coke to dump out in the street.

And before I even pulled out of the lot,
I'd stuff in a fatty: "Ah, that hits the spot!"
Then it was back to the house, after the craving was fed,
But there was usually time for one more dip before bed.

When my first child was born I said, "No more dipping!"
Five days went by, and I found myself slipping.
I said to myself "One more week sure won't hurt."
And I filled up my lip with the cancerous dirt.

When our second came along, I knew it was time.
"I'll quit for good - 18 years is a crime!"
And I really stuck with it - for a month and a day.
I just couldn't do it…at least not that way.

Then I found this site, and it became clear
That people like me had found their way here.
United by fear, and one common goal -
To live a life free from Cope, Kodiak and Skoal.

We were all shocked by the pictures we saw,
Of dippers who'd lost a tongue, cheek or jaw.
And we all responded with a similar plea,
"Oh please God, don't let that happen to me."

So we "meet" here online, and offer advice
On how to keep clean, to conquer this vice.
We all want to quit, and we all have our ways
And we all keep close tabs on each other's days.

So pull up a keyboard, boot up your PC
You, too, can quit, that's a promise from me.
Though methods may vary, there's only one way:
You must tell yourself "I will not use tobacco today."

The days will add up - you'll be shocked at how fast
And your cravings will become a dull memory past.
But let me tell you the real truth my friend,
You're always one dip away from being addicted again.

So what do I now say about that little tin can?
I don't need you to make me a man.
And listen old friend as I make this prediction:
You'll never catch me again with your deadly addiction.

- Jimmo, Los Angeles

I have tried to quit many times, such as when I got married, when the wife and I moved to our first house, when each of my kids were born, and just about every New Years day. I'd last anywhere from a few hours to a few days, but always fell victim to the lie that "I could have just one dip" and not fall back into my normal dipping routine. This time, a few things were different: I trusted God to help me, I began training for and running marathons, and I became associated with the great people on the Quitsmokeless.org website. For those struggling to become or remain free of the tobacco addiction, never underestimate the power of prayer, a regular exercise program, and the support of people who understand your struggles. I am indebted to everyone on this website for encouraging me, motivating me, and holding me accountable to my promise to quit dipping. Special thanks to Matt for making this site possible.

Whenever it feels like the battle against the nicotine demon is getting too tough, DON'T GIVE IN, and remember: The pain is temporary, but the glory of accomplishment lasts forever.

Thanks to all--Dave

My deepest gratitude goes to Matt van Wyk for creating this site. Matt, I could not have done it without your incredibly resourceful website. Thank you so much.

Thanks to all those wonderful people at the QS-Cafe who helped me with words of encouragement, and even chastised me when I deserved that. Thank you all more than words can say. There were times that reading a single post, saved me from myself. Again, thank you all!

Lastly, I just want to say that it is do-able. You can quit. I did it for my wife, my son, and myself. I love the life I am living now. Dip and smoke free is the only way to live.

Thanks to everyone who posted in the Cafe, and a special thanks to: J.T., Otown Dave, John Drake, Gumby, Blair, Shane, Hoyt, Tom, Mike261, Flippin, FuzzHead, Dutchman, Peter, Wally, Angler, Toadster, Steve Davis, Rick from Tampa, Plantercat, Steveman, Gizz, JP Texas, Viceless, Bates, Hankster, D K and JR. Without you guys, I would have never had the courage to quit. Thanks for pulling me through the hard times.

It's been a struggle for these last 100 days, especially the first few weeks, and I know that I am not out of the woods yet, but I feel so much freer and more alive that I'm certain that I do not want to go back. I don't have a stupid tin dragging me down, turning passionate kisses to pecks on the cheek because I have a dip in, fouling my teeth and breath, causing soreness and perhaps the big C, and making me shake and squirm if I go a few hours without. I certainly do not want to go through day three of quiting again and I know that one dip or one cigar could be enough to throw my addiction switch and get me back into dipping full time, so I am going to avoid it at all costs.

Here's what I did to get to day 100:

• I picked a quit date and rallied support of my family around it. I chose a Friday on which I didn't have to work so that I wouldn't have to face the world for the first three days and I had my quit aides ready.
• I used the nicotine patch. I used it for the full recommended course listed for heavy smokers exactly according to the instructions. As an addict, I really had no business regulating how I consumed the drug so I figured I had better just follow instructions. This made it quite a bit easier at first, but also stretched out the amount of time it took to kick.
• I took it easy on myself. I let myself be a big crybaby sometimes. I let myself be angry. I let myself take the day off from work and hide a couple of times. I let myself eat like a pig. I let myself use SMC and Altoids like a security blanket. I let myself do ANYTHING BUT use tobacco.
• I posted on here every weekday from about 9 weeks on. I didn't find the site until I was eight weeks in, but since then it has been invaluable. I wish I had found this site for day one. Posting on here has helped keep me in line and it has been motivating to support my brothers here.

Thank you Matt for the site. Thank all of you for your support. It's great to be free - if you are not free, get here. It will be worth it.

Peace,
jef

I wasted so much time on smokeless tobacco. Time that I will never get back. There were nights when I would leave my wife's side just to get that one last hit. There were times I would leave early from a dinner with my parents so I could pack one. There were times I would not ride my scooter, not tend the yard, not call a friend just so I could pack my lip one last time. And what did I get for my devotion to the can? Nothing. It was time I couldn't control because I was, and am addict. So it came time for God to help me out.

Thankfully, He showed me to Matt's site. And that was when a miracle happened for me. Even though I wasn't 'ready' to quit and had given up on quitting, I did quit just days later. The first few weeks were tough. There is no denying that. I fought with everyone, packed on the pounds, developed insomnia, obsessed over the persistent mouth sores, packed fake dip in my mouth like it was bubblegum, and toughest of all: Made the call for a dentist appointment. You see, up until I quit, I figured if ignorance was bliss I wanted to be ecstatic about my chances of having cancer. But, the Good Lord had given me determination in my brow. He had done so by using fellow quitters on QuitSmokeless to keep me honest and to face my fears. And while it was difficult to quit, every morning I woke up tobacco free made me proud of myself. And that was good medicine.

So now I look back over my 100 days and realize how much I have accomplished. I am no longer a slave to tobacco. I no longer have to fear my 'secret' getting out. I don't have to check out the convenience store to make sure no one I know is around. I no longer have to do a lot of things I don't like because I am no longer owned by tobacco. And the pride I feel in myself and others who have chosen to quit lets me know I have made the right choice. And it helps that I am just happier with life than I ever was when I was dipping. It is a good feeling when someone knocks on the door at our house and I don't have to spend frantic minutes spitting and washing up. What a feeling.

I started like most people. One dip at a time. I was in control and could quit any time I wanted. And I was going to after one more dip. That was almost 20 years ago. I wasn't in control until I came to QuitSmokeless and found other folks like me who hated what was happening to their lives. And thanks to fellow quitters like Gizz, Hankster, Danin and Tom, I can say that I have quit tobacco and regained control of my life.

For so many of my years, I have felt alone with the personal demons and battles that waged inside my mind. I knew dipping was a coping mechanism, a dependence I had created to compensate for a lost coping skill. In college, I was invincible. The cancer won't get me! I am too young to die. Then I met the woman of my life and "promised" to quit when we got married. Can you believe I had a dip in my mouth two minutes before my wedding! Next came the first daughter, the singular most defining moment in my life. Being adopted (I have often wondered if that was the void the dip filled), I had never seen a person of my own flesh, of my own blood. Before my eyes was the first human being in 28 years that was a blood relative! What a thrilling moment in my life. It was at that moment that quitting first became real to me. The facts of my life were undeniable. I had to beat this monster.

I quit for ninety days after the birth of my first daughter. I also began the search for my biological parents. My biological mother would not meet me, but my biological father happily agreed. Thirty minutes before I was to meet him, I cratered in a little town outside of Yellowstone National Park. Bought a can of skoal long mint and was back at it again at full force. Ninety days were gone, the sense of self-defeat, the shame associated with returning to the can. Instead of fighting back by quitting again, my sense of shame led me further into the can, so much so that after a couple of weeks, I pushed back into the dark parts of my mind the thought of quitting. It would not raise it's ugly head again. I needed the can in my life. It was the "power" that allowed me to get through each day. Damned if I was going to give up that "secret life sustenance".

But you see, it never went away in my mind. From little whispers some days to loud and blood-curdling screams on others, the battle for my soul was waged each day in parts of my mind that I dare not visit often. The dread, the guilt, the pain, the sorrow, the weight, the ugliness, it all wore me down each day to the point where it was difficult for me to find joy in life. I had to get free of this monster. And then, the birth of my second daughter. So much more fulfilling because we had a miscarriage a couple of years before. The joy that was missing returned in a strong and passionate way. It allowed, for a brief moment, a window into the true meaning of being here, of walking on this earth.

Not too soon afterwards, I learned my (adoptive) Dad's prostate cancer had returned. It had returned after a two year absence and the diagnosis was not good. It was a matter of time. But time was shorter than we had ever dreamed. This news reinforced the notion that I "needed" the can to get through life. It was how I was going to be strong for him, how I was going to be strong for those in my family. As the oldest and the son, the weight fell to me to lead. The pressure was immense from a career perspective. At the time I was 1000 miles away. I had to make the decision: return home and sacrifice a blossoming career or stay and listen by phone as my Dad faded away. After six months of mental battles, the decision was made. My place was with my family. It was the call for me in my life. It was time to go home.

I returned home and found Dad living with a cancer that would kill him. He struggles with his mortality each day. Through it all, he laughs, smiles and loves, taking in the great things about being alive. It was at this point that I saw the courage and strength in my Dad and realized that we all are faced with our own unique battles in life. One of my battles was with the skoal can. It ruled my life when there were so many more things that should be the focus.

Then it happened. I was sitting at home one night at 10pm and found Matt's site. I then discovered I only had one more pinch left in the can. This had happened to me hundreds of times before. I wanted a dip now and one first thing in the morning so a decision had to be made. What I thought was the only decision up until this point: Do I go now to the store for my can or first thing in the morning? But this night, something moved through me. The stories of struggles by folks just like me. The words of pain, support, struggles and victories. I know many of you will think I am strange, but I can only speak the truth. The Holy Spirit moved through me via Matt's site and showed me a different choice, one that seemed very right and true: I could quit dipping all together! Oh how I had thought about quitting over the sixteen years. But this time it was different. I felt the strength to succeed. The passion to succeed.............................

And here we are, 100 days later and I am free from the can. Folks, for my entire life, I have been a rational, logical, realistic man of this world. But I can only say that God through the Holy Spirit brought me to Matt's site which allowed me to realize that there are many wonderful people out there caught in my same addiction. Matt's site gives us all the opportunity to be open about our feelings and challenges from the comfort of our own homes. It is truly a shining example of the power of the internet age.

To those of you just beginning, it can be done. It will hurt and there will be difficult times ahead. Just remember, to date, I have never heard of someone dying because they DID NOT have a pinch. I know many have died because they did! To those of you mid-way through, you should be seeing the light. Don't give up. It feels great to hit the 100 day mark. To those of you who went much longer and fell, there is no judgement here at quitsmokeless. We all welcome you back with open arms and stand ready to assist you in your continued struggle.

I thank all of those at quitsmokeless (too many to name) for their honest, open, personal stories about their journey. I want to thank Matt for his great wisdom and love in creating this site and making people's dreams come true. My last thank you to the quitsmokeless crowd is to GIZZ! Gizz, you were my quit brother. You held me accountable each and every day along the way to the HOF. I want to thank you for that and wish you all the blessings in the future. I will always remember you and think of you. We are quit brothers. May we never fall!

I want to thank my wife and two daughters for their unconditional love, patience, support and concern. Without them and because of them, I would not have had the inspiration and motivation to act. Lastly, I give thanks to Jesus Christ for loving me and dying for the forgiveness of my sins. All things are truly possible through the Lord!

Ride Hard folks!

The Hankster

How bout "Thanks Matt". Yeah that fits. For some reason you hated the addiction to the point that you unselfishly started this site. You knew how hard it was to quit cause you had to do it alone. I now feel a little ashamed that I wasn't there for you when you were struggling. Those times must've been a real test of your soul cause it was only "You against it". Nobody to email back and forth, no answers to those tough "when is..." and "when will it..." questions. I owe a pile to you for creating this site for people like me. A very sincere "THANK YOU".

By the grace of god and good fortune I stumbled upon this site last October while looking for the Holy Grail of Quitting smokeless tobacco. I took me until February to come back cause I never did find that "easy way out" Holy Grail plan or method but i did find something even better....I found Quitsmokeless.org and a bunch of guys and gals just like me; tobacco addicts trying to kick the can. At first I thought "what's this guy trying to sell?" then as i clicked the FORUM I opened the door to the place that would end 20+ years of addiction to skoal.

My present and future quit brothers, I truly am humbled by the help and encouragement i received from everyone, without you this site would be MEANINGLESS and i know I'd still be addicted. You are the reason i have broken the 20+ year chain. To you ALL(Past, Present, Future), I am forever indebted. Call on me anytime for anything, I'm there.

For some reason today seems different than most of the other 99 quit days. I don't feel the jubilation like i thought I would or the "it's finally over" feeling. Rather, I think I now understand what it takes and what it will continue to take in order to stay on top of this wretched addiction. I stand ready to take the battle to the next level, this is serious life altering business and I understand it for what it is. I am committed to winning this war and my resolve remains unaltered.

"Life is so much better without tobacco". A statement i didn't understand and couldn't even comprehend 100 days ago. That gut wrenching feeling of "How am i ever gonna be able to......" without tobacco has been answered. The answer is simple, I still enjoy them! Yes, the first time i started working on my old truck in the garage i did so by reaching in my pocket for the can. I chuckled to myself when i realized that I didn't dip anymore. I DID NOT go back to the house wimpering about how it wasn't gonna be fun anymore but rather i took it head-on and in a matter of minutes the urge passed and I was enjoying my hobbie more than ever. This has been the case with all of my activities. So my understanding of this association we all have with dip and activities is that it only exists in our minds. My new view of this association goes like this: Tobacco gets no credit for how much i enjoy my hobbies and activites - NONE.

I don't like to single out anyone cause this has truly been a team effort....but.... A Special "Thanks" is in order to "The Hankster". Hankster took it upon himself to carry me through the toughest times. His timely emails always seemed to be what i needed at the utmost time. We made a deal and that deal is lifelong going forward. For you dude i say "Ride Hard".

Those contemplating on quitting: You need to do this for yourself, first and formemost, and if that ain't enough then think about those around you that depend upon you and your daily interactions. If you continue to dip sooner or later that may all change. I don't like to preach and so i won't. I know firsthand how hard it is to quit and there is NO SHAME in the struggles that quitting bestows upon us. My motto from the start was and still is "Whatever it takes"......Onwards we go, Gizz.

5/13/02

sal(ice)farina from phoenix

On February 10th 2002, I wrote in "quit dipping" into a general search and came upon this site. The next day February 11th, I vowed to never dip tobacco again. A miracle? divine intervention? luck? Call it what you want but this site helped me to quit a ten year addiction and probably saved my life! THANK YOU!

BeatingTheBear

That search led me to this site and this site placed me on the path to success. They say with knowledge comes power and this forum provided the knowledge that empowered me to succeed. Reading all the posts from those who both succeeded and failed clearly defined the coming battles and strategies required to win this war. I cannot thank Matt enough for creating this site. I truly believe that this site coupled with all the people that participate in the forum have saved my life. I pray that some day I'll be able to give back half as much as I've taken from this site. I am a far better husband, father, and person without tobacco than I ever was with it. I will not dip again, I AM DONE!

It was my decision and really I did it for myself and no one else. It was my choice to leave tobacco and it was my own actions that were causing the anxiety and withdrawal symptoms I was experiencing. I wasn't suffering because of some oppressive action by someone else. This is my decision. I was choosing to do this and I was in control. Everyday got a little easier. A few bumps here and there, but I got stronger and it got weaker.

So now after 100 days I am in the Hall of Fame. What does this mean? Am I cured of my addiction? Are the cravings completely gone? The simple truth to the matter is no. One hundred days is just a benchmark and the success of my continued quit can still be considered to be balanced on the head of a pin. Although the back breaking cravings from the first week one are far behind me, one little slip and I will fall back into daily routine of feeding a monster that will slowly take my life. I actually woke this morning after 100 days and briefly thought about getting a can to celebrate my hard earned accomplishment.

Having said all that, I challenge any of you reading this to join me. I dare you to reach 100 days without the can. Make the decision and fight like you have never fought before and turn the temptations into your inspirations. You have the ability to take control and make the decision to quit. The QS Café is here to help you but it is the end, you have to decide. Life out from under the can is possible and you really do have the feelings of being free. Thanks to all for the support. Mr. P

How did a guy like me with more excuses than sense finally come to quit for 100 days. Well I'll tell you, I was just getting pumped up for my monthly quit. I had one last can to chew and I told the wife, " I'm quitting, this time I mean it...stop laughing, after I finish this can I'm gonna whoop this thing, seriously it's not that funny." Then it happened, I found this quitsmokeless website and read some of the stories. Hey, these stories sound familiar, and some of these folks are actually making it longer than a week without the weed. I must find out how they do that. Well that was it, I started reading the posts and getting encouragement from the other quitters, when I had the rage I could come here and type and when I was overcome by cravings I would take a trip to the cancer gallery, yea that's a look I want. Now at 100 days, I'm just looking forward to tomorrow. I still have cravings and I'm sure I always will but I've learned how to deal with them so I don't rip my fingernails off anymore.

So what's my secret? I will not dip. It's as simple and as complex as that. I will eat a dozen doughnuts, chew a pack of gum, drink a quart of water, or bang my head against the wall, but I will not dip. I drink ton's of water and in the evenings when the cravings hit, I put on some music and work out or run until I'm too tired to dip. My wife thinks I'm addicted to excersize now, that's ok because she also says I look better than ever. I rarely chew seeds and at 100 days I've lost all the weight that I gained from the doughnuts. By the way I couldn't find a website to get me off the doughnuts, I had to kick that habit alone.

Thanks to Matt and all the wonderful folks who grace the pages of this website. It's been said before, but I couldn't have done it without you. After 20 yrs I finally found something that works, oh and I will not dip again. Thanks again.

Soon it was Skoal and just before college it was Copenhagen. I was a serious athlete. I swam competitively, played football and track. Dipping was enhancing my performance, I was certain of it. Those burnout's that smoked cigarettes were stupid, they didn't know how much better Copenhagen was. I felt unbreakable as most teenagers do. If anyone ever thought to tell me it was bad for me, I defended my actions. I told them that I wasn't harming them. That dip was much better than smoking because it didn't give off any second hand smoke. It didn't harm anyone. The rings in my jeans showed my strength as a male. It was a badge of testosterone. Dipping was who I was and defined me as a strong, heterosexual male.

I was lucky enough to meet and marry a beautiful woman. She rarely questioned my habit. I remember her telling me she thought I looked cool when I dipped. She had to accept my habit as part of the package deal and conversations about me quitting were short. I would always nip them in the bud with excuses like.. "Its my only vice" or "No one really gets cancer from dipping" or "It's not hurting anyone". I truly believed these things. After seven years of marriage we had a baby boy and 3 years later, another boy. Neither one of those events inspired me to quit chewing Copenhagen.

To this day, I don't recall what it was that made me want to stop. I think it was a feeling that came over me that I was tired of it. I was sick of being tied to a can of tobacco to derive so called 'pleasure'. I had come to hate the way my gums ached everyday. I hated the fact that my teeth never really became white when I brushed them and they bled if I brushed too hard. The fact that I had cup after cup around my house to make it convenient to spit. I hated the idea that when I had about 3 or 4 dips left in a can, I would feel nervous if I didn't go get another can to 'back up' the old one. I hated the grains of tobacco all over my car interior. I hated the fact that I couldn't carry my new born son, his bottle and my cup at the same time. I would sit there, with a mouth full of spit, mad at him because he didn't eat fast enough. I didn't like that my 3 year old would get out of the tub and pretend to spit in my cup next to the bath tub because he saw Daddy doing it. I hated that if I went more than an hour without a dip and snapped at my wife or family about something stupid, my wife would tell me that I am being jerk and to go get a chew. (now she just tells me I am being a jerk, without the last part).

I was sitting at my desk when I decided to surf the web. Honestly, I had found the Quit Smokeless website once in the past and had book marked it. I read through it, looked at the pictures and read the articles before. But this time, I did something different. I posted on the QS Forum. I told whoever was out there that I wanted to quit, that I hated this addiction and I didn't know how I was ever going to stop. Within minutes I was overwhelmed at the many responses I received not only on the web site but through personal emails. The fact that these people took time out of their lives to email me suggestions on how to make it through the night without chewing absolutely blew me away. They wanted nothing from me other than my honest effort to free myself from this horrible addiction. It was the first time I had ever heard of other people experiencing the same struggles as me. I was hooked into quitting almost immediately.

But I had "been-there, done-that" many times and I had no idea how to quit. I read through the web site and all the links and there are suggestions and things, but no where is there a book or a manual that says, 'Day 1.. do this'. Thats where the web site came in handy. See everyone quits for different reasons and different quit-aides work for some people and not for others. There is no secret success formula. I knew for me, there was only one way to do it and do it for good. I decided that if I was going to make this last I had to change alot. I stopped eating foods that were bad for me. I started on a high protein, low carb diet. (Before this, I didn't even know what had protein in it and what didn't). I stopped drinking soda's and coffee. I joined a gym on the way home that evening and signed up for a few sessions with a personal trainer that would set me on a workout routine. I started drinking water like there was no tomorrow. Water, water, water and more water. It took my mind off it. I was drinking more than 10 bottles of water a day at 17 oz's each. Everytime I thought about dipping Copenhagen, I took a swig. Of course this led to alot of trips to the bathroom, which occupied my brain in other ways too. I never went to the patch or nicotine gum, my opinion was that I didn't want to replace one habit with the other. I used Smokey Mountain Chew for about the first two weeks, to accompany me when I was in situations where gum and seeds just couldn't cut it. Like golfing, cutting grass, movies, sitting at my computer, driving, breathing, shaving, sitting on the toilet and just about any other time that reminded me of chewing.

But even the best laid plans won't work without determination. Alot of people come to the web site and expect to find a miracle. There are none. What I found was that ultimately, I was the one quitting. I was the one driving past the gas station and not buying the dip. I was the one saying chew or don't chew. I had to change my mindset so that no matter if the world ended today, there would be one constant in my life... and that was the idea that I was not going to put tobacco in my mouth that day. No one can put that determination in you, except you. No wife, no girlfriend, no family member will ever talk you into quitting until you are ready. Believe me. So, I printed out the emails from fellow quitters and carried them with me. I kept pictures of my kids with me. I played mock conversations in my head, explaining to my wife and children that Daddy wouldn't be around for them because I was not strong enough to fight off the temptation of a can of tobacco. I imagined not being there to see them grow up, graduate, get married and have kids. Try it sometime. Every single morning when I looked in the mirror I told myself 'I will not dip today and I will not dip tomorrow'. I still do that. As many times a day as it takes.

I have to admit, it was not easy. I had it all going on. Night sweats, withdrawal symptoms, "Dip-Rage", constipation, nervousness, lack of concentration and panic attacks. I faced each one with more and more determination. I posted on the QS Forum like there was no tomorrow. (Those of you that have read my information know that I was never short for words, re: The BLUESMAN). But it helped ease the pain. I felt stronger with each post. I stayed close to the web site. I was lucky enough to have Matt accept my suggestion to add the "Dollars Saved" to the Quit Track and it gave me a sense of giving something back to my fellow quitters. Everytime I see my dollars climbing higher and higher, I feel a small sense of accomplishment.

I owe alot to the people that helped me in my battle... Without specifics they are THE BLUESMAN, Shane, Gary, Brant, Plantercat, JR from Arizona, Gizz, Dan in PA, TomW in OH, Jon, Indy Scott, Mark in NM, LFH, Bryan, Hoyt, Dave Savoca (Pres of Smokey Mountain), BeatingTheBear(BTB), Cubby, Randy in Indiana, BATES, Tractorman, FISH, JP, MC, Jimmo, Philip, LF, Mr. P, Kevin, The DipSlayer, Law and Kyle.. I am sure I missed someone in there and I apologize. You have no idea how much strength you have given me. I would be extremely wrong to not thank the brains behind the whole operation and that is Matt van Wyk, without none of this would be attainable. I owe my life to him as well as all of you that have been there to listen to me ramble. I draw more strength from posting that you do from reading, believe me.

I hope to have had my last dip on Feb 25th 2002. I hope to never have to worry about the rough patches in my mouth. I hope to never have a sore throat that I have to wonder about. But most of all, I hope that my involvement here has inspired someone else to give up chewing tobacco and Stay Strong!

Today I got an e-mail from Bates telling me I had reached 100 days. I had a friend from church who had quit smoking and chewing a few years ago ask me how I was doing. I told him I was at approximately 60 days and he asked why even keep track anymore. After that I think that my mindset changed. I got busy at work and home and my time on the computer dropped to where I checked the QS website about once a week or less. I bought two cans of SMC about two months ago. I have barely touched the second can and will probably throw it out soon. Sunday afternoon while working at a demolition derby one of my fellow firefighters opened up a can of Skoal about 15 feet away from me and it made me sick. I think that I have reached the point where I can say that I am winning. The fight is never over though.

To those just starting it can be a rough way to go when you quit but trust me, in the end it is worth the effort. I've said it before and I will say it again, no more of this sh*t for me.

I, however, deserve only so much credit for this victory. You see there are many individuals much stronger than I, whose contributions, in their totality, enabled a simple man like myself to achieve such a lofty goal. Individuals such as Matt Van Wyk himself.

Matt, there is positively no doubt in my mind that I would not have quit had it not been for your site, your vision and your compassion toward your fellow man. This site is quite simply the deciding factor in the lives of many. The ONLY deciding factor for those addicted to smokeless tobacco. To you sir, I owe an awesome debt.

Individuals like Rick in Tampa, who was positively invaluable and remains a true friend, a person with which I have weathered a mighty storm. Individuals like JR, who reminded me that dipping is a dangerous, dangerous decision, with heavy consequences. Individuals like Mark in NM and Luke and Ranger in West Virginia, who taught me that adversity is no match for a strong will and fierce heart. Along the way, I met Plantercat, who taught me about what it means to conduct yourself with class. And Bluesman, who taught me a little something about the importance of "giving back". And let's not forget Jogi, whose knack for diplomacy and good will has made this board a better place for all. How about Gizz and Dutchman in PA, who gave me role models to identify with. And how about Zach, whose stories I so closely identified with that I was at times almost frightened. There's Pup and Jimmo in California who came on board late in my quit and showed me that the 80 day craves can be successfully traversed. What about Bassin, with whom I shared stories about my true passion, the great outdoors, to pass the time during craves. Out-of-bounds, who taught me to open myself up to my fellow quitters, risks be damned, for the reward can be great. I will never forget his email after my very first post, in which he gave me his telephone number. I never called him, but I never forgot it either. Viceless, who I shared "closet-dipping" tales with. How about Otown Dave, who unselfishly stuck with me (and many others) long after he'd passed the 100 day mark. And Cabbagetowner, who took a special interest in my quit right from the start. Then there's Fish (my PA brother) and Bribot (a Browns fan, but still a decent enuf guy) and LF (the coattail rider himself) and the poster-formerly-known-as-MikeY and olywa Mike G. (who just HAS to be my separated at birth twin brother) and Jerry (Big Gimp) (who will never be my agent) and Otter (the Vitamin & Herb Nazi) and all of the other younger quitters who reminded me, as Jogi likes to say, just how close the rubber is to the road.

I would like to thank all who tolerated my sometimes annoying, sometimes incoherent, sometimes condescending, always smart-assed posts without so much as a complaint. It is you folks that who are as much responsible for this as I, and it is a debt that I cannot even begin to repay. I will begin, however, by not letting you down. By not tarnishing the integrity of this site. By not using tobacco ever again.

Finally, I would like to thank my wife and son, who will probably never read this. You have endured 100 days of hell because I chose, many years ago, to experiment with a stupid can filled addictive, cancer-causing, life-shortening plant matter. I wish I could give you those 100 days back and all of the days that preceded them, when I was often more concerned about getting my fix than focusing on you. You two are my everything. I will spend the rest of my days paying you back.

That is all.
Bates is done.