I'm new to this group, on day 19, but still going crazy at times. It's starting to get better, but EVERYTHING pretty much sux. The good news is that things are getting better, my kids know I quitting, and all seem to be a little supportive. Everyone is cutting me some slack. I'm going to make it.

I'm also using Chantrix and wonder if there are others who have used something to help?

Cheers,

seedwards

Seedwards-
I did not go as far as getting a perscription for medicine, but I did give the "patch" a shot. It helped me out a lot for the first couple of days, but I got to the point that I saw my body getting used to the patch. I would wake up and want a dip, but then I would say "I quit" so I would go and put the patch on right away. Once I saw that I threw the patches away and went cold turkey. The first couple of days sucked, like everybody, but hey like you said everything IS getting better...just have to keep the mindset that dip is not what we need. I do not know about you, but I sure as hell want to live life to the fullest with my wife, and when I have kids I want them to have me around as long as possible. That is what gets me through the day...sure I still want Copenhagen like no tomorrow, but my family comes before a stupid weed. I would give anything up just for another hour with my wife, so dip lost, and I do not regret it at all.

-Brett

I used the same thing. I didn't start until I had been quit for 14 days. I used Chantix for 3 weeks & have been off it for a week. I don't know if it helped or if it was all mental. I do think it helped get me out of the depression I was in & bought me a little time to get my mind right. The Chantix screwed with my sleep, but I wasn't sleeping all that good anyway. I'm still not sleeping great, but I'm not dipping either. I'll take that.

Did the patch for the first 8 weeks...then lots of really strong flavored gum...Im on day 428 and very well adjusted and quit and clean...hang in there brother...it truly gets easier...for me around the 6 month mark I was just cruisin along...I still Post roll every day to my 4/07 HOF group but thats out of respect and loyalty to my fellow quitters...you will do this....the alternatives are disgusting and deadly...Barry D428

Started the Chantix week before my quit date and weened down to 4 dips /day the day of my quit. Sleep was impossible first nite and gave in to the ambien. Don't advocate one habit for another but short term I'll do whatever neccessary to quit. Day 8 and I cut back to 1/2 pill am and 1/2 pm. Cutting back to 1/2 ambien tonite and hope I can sleep.
Have month supply of chantix but have read some problems getting off 3 or 6 month treatments so I'm trying to ween off by 14 day mark.
Chantix took away some of the urge I had last time I quit and first three days were a little better than last time but still no party. I was miserable (still miserable) but past the physical withdrawals. Fog liftted today not sure if that has anything to do with dropping the chantix dose to 1/2 or just time to feel better. Did not realize how effective a laxative tobacco is but sure do miss the "automatic" response from cope.
May regret cutting back so soon but I can always go back to full dosage if needed.

I used Chantix. Set my quit date and started taking the week before. I used it for 90 days and feel it to have been a tremendous help in this my final quit. I believe it's biggest benefit for me was that it seemed to take the edge off the craves and the dip rage. I was a two can a day dumbass for 19 plus years but now have been dip free for 494 days. If I can do this SO CAN YOU!!!!!

I've tried everything and by that I mean the following:

Nic patches
nic lozenges
nic gum
Welbutrin
hypnosis (yes I did)
gum
hard candy
fake dip

I have not tried Chantix but I know a number of smokers who have been helped tremendously by it.

In my experience, your best shot is always going to be cold turkey. It's rough for a few days but my theory is that nic supplements keep you hooked on nic...period. I think you can improve your odds of success by attempting to cycle down the number of dips that you take per day for a week or two prior to actually quitting.

An effective way to do this to change brands...try peach skoal...you've really got to be hard up to try that. Use it for a week to stave off craves and then go cold turkey. You'll find that you're already ahead of the game.

The nic gum and patches are overrated and do not work IMO. A person is just wasting their hard earned money buying that shit.

It takes will power and want too. I threw a half can out the window and havent looked back since. I'm not saying it's easy because it's not....

I'm on day 5 and have been taking Chantix for almost 2 weeks (I took gradually increased doses till I hit full strength) This is my 3rd quit. In the past I've gone cold turkey and also tried nicotene lozenges. The first quit was 3 months. The only problem was, due to dip rage, that I just didn't like myself very well. I was always pissed off and ranting about something. The next time didn't work so well either. I lasted around 60 days. I'm not sure I would have made it that far except for this excellent forum. This time with Chantix I have almost no dip rage. Sure, I crave the nic, but withdrawl is a bitch anyways. There is no magic bullet - you just have to want it. Bottom line is, if you can afford it or if your insurance will cover it, I recommend it.

I hear wellbutrin can really help too, and a lot of people can get it from their insurance because it also works with anxiety and depression which is covered by their insurance, rather than something to help them quit tobacco.


Big Red

This is my plan -- as I have tried countless times and never made it past the .5hr mark, I know I will need the help. With two small children in the house I don't want the rage. Wellbutrin didn't help me or my wife on our quits -- made me feel weird! A good buddy of mine smoked over a pack a day and quit with the help of Chantrix.

I timed my start with Chantrix and to also match a day that I have a dental appointment. It is the last of a series of 3 too fully clean my gums and teeth. Thankfully nothing serious!

I also had a recent trip where I was able to pick up my favorite brand - Kodiak. This is an attempt to not experience a major trigger when the Bear is available again. Right now I can only buy Cope/Skoal and I really do hate them - taste, smell, messy.

Maybe too much rationalization here - but I am just trying to make sure I have the best advantages possible. I also joined this site so I can maintain my excitement about quitting instead of seeing it as a loss.

Best of luck with the quit!

I used Chantix for about 6 weeks and I know it helped me. I did not follow the directions all of the way becasue I only used a months worth during that time. I really got to the point that I would forget to take it and then not even notice. When I quit taking it, I did not notice the differene then either. Bottom line is, if you WANT to quit, you WILL. End of story. I dipped for over 26 years and I tried several times but the bottom line is this time, I WANTED to quit. Chantix does help though!

I am taking Chantix right now, and have found that it works great for me. It is easy to follow the directions. You are supposed to take it for 7 days prior to your quit date. I found that after the third day (4 before my planned quit day), I no longer wanted to dip. I thought that was pretty amazing after being a can a day for 16 years. Because of that, my quit day moved up 4 days. There were some mental triggers to work through the first three days, but today is Day 4 for me and I feel great!!!! I cannot remember a time when I woke up as refreshed and clearheaded as I did today. In fact, I was going through about 2 packs of gum, countless sunflower seeds, and anything else I could think of to keep my mind off of wanting a dip. Today, I have only had one piece of gum in the last 5 hours and it feels great. Now, I'm not saying that Chantix will work for everyone, but it sure has worked wonders for me so far.