Desperately wanting to relapse :(

I made it 3 entire days. That is longer than I ever have gone when trying to quit (besides one time when I went out of country and quit for a week involuntarily).

I heard that day 3 is usually always the hardest but I’m starting to notice a decline in my motivation. At first I was all-in and ready to quit, now I’m leaning more towards thinking “you only live once!” and I’m starting to also think familiar thoughts of: you can get cancer or have a stroke from any off chance, you might as well hit the vape.

These are incredibly toxic thoughts that I’m having and I’m able to tamper down cravings now but I’m worried once I leave my house to go to the gym I’ll be scooping one at the nearest gas station. Please help any advice is appreciated :(

in QuitVapingby 17sapphire

100%

argentina_turner

Days 3-5 have been really hard for me for the same reasons. I think the motivation wears off a bit, but the habits are still there in your brain.

The good news is if you stay strong, day 6-7 we’re noticeably way easier for me. There’s no such thing as one puff, and that first puff will be no where near as satisfying as your brain is telling you it will be.

I’ve seen people post on here that resisting the urges is literally training your brain to rewire the habit - I kept telling myself that and it has worked so far. Day 3 the nicotine is out of your body so it’s really your brains last ditch attempt to get its fill.

Stay strong!

17sapphire

Very helpful, thank you! I keep trying to remind myself that I knew Day 3 would be difficult and therefore it’s alllll in my head. I love your username btw :,)

Adept_Cow7887

I always cave at 3 days. Always

AfraidWaltz4843

first 3 days are hard af. i know your exact thoughts because I tell myself the same thing! i see people vaping and i’m like theres no way alllllll of us will die from it or i’ll think “i’m gonna die anyways!” 😭😭 it’s so bad it’s just us negotiating with the addiction. by now the nicotine is leaving your body. the rest is all psychological 🤷🏻‍♀️ your brain is looking for excuses to vape and i understand you but you have to just say no. get distracted with something else or suck on some lollipops. trust me that “hit would hit rn” is sooooo fake like you think you’ll get a buzz and feel relief but because your body is ridding the nicotine and is no longer going through nicotine withdrawal, there are no PHYSICAL symptoms to be relieved from. you will take that hit and be so underwhelmed!! stay strong i’m day 15 here 😁

17sapphire

cannot relate to this more!!! you’re so right. proud of you for making 15 days and here’s to many more - i hope i can do the same as you!

tth7e_

Keep talking to people - that's my advice being in recovery from drug addiction and having gotten sober plenty of times. For all the critiques of 12-step programs and communities, they really hit on something invaluable for escaping active addiction of any kind - you need to let your thoughts and feelings out to somebody else, and it's especially helpful when you trust that that other person is someone who has been through it too. Then, it's helpful in its own right to talk to people who are currently going through it so you can be getting out of the trenches together. I guess that's where this sub is helpful.

Your thoughts and cravings, when bottled up, are stronger than your judgment. Your instinct has its leash on you for the time being. That changes. When you let those cravings and thoughts out, you're taking a lot of power from them. If it doesn't feel like it's doing enough, then talk more. Find a close friend, partner, spouse, family member you can dump all that on. You can't OD on this and it's not a risk factor for heart problems.

I'm on day 3 completely vape-free.. you could call it day 3.75.. I'm having those same thoughts.

Let's try and see it as an experiment we're doing. Life is dull as hell. It sucks but it's something new. Forget all the hype neuroscience stuff you see in ads and podcasts. You're studying your brain right now. You already know what vaping is like, and you already know what not vaping when you haven't been hooked on it yet is like. I mean, we already know it blows, but we only know how it is on days 0, 1, 2, and 3. What if day 4 or 7 or 21 is really tight?

17sapphire

I love you for this comment lol. I am struggling finding someone to speak with as I kept it secret from everyone in my life and only just recently told my boyfriend. He was expectedly upset that I hid this from him but feelings of shame were too high. I really only have myself for support right now and this subreddit which has been great. But it’s so fucking hard not to give in!!! I know I deserve better but damn, a hit would hit right now!!!

tth7e_

Now reading my comment from yesterday I'm like yo wtf was I going on about hahaha but it's all true.

Day at a time though and since I would have to go out of my way to a smoke shop to give up now, I'm just gonna not do that today and then go from there.

If you're doing this cold turkey and still at it, then be grateful you're so far through the woods. Less frustrating that way and you'll experience the full recovery rather than just giving your lungs a break. I'm just switching to pouches and it's a huge pain in the ass for several reasons. Gums irritated, money wasted on terrible brands that I tried one pouch of and threw away, hard to regulate level of nic in my system.

Opposite-Algae-3124

Stay strong. Going back is never worth it. Just remind yourself that you’re stronger than the addiction. Just make it a competition. Don’t let the addiction win over your own brain!

Wild_Ad_7766

Gosh I feel the yolo thoughts so hard, but then I’m also thinking about how much we don’t know about these little devices long term ya know. and to live this life feeling healthy and good With a clear head and maybeeee tacking a couple extra years on to it is so much better than being controlled by these stupid things when we know they aren’t doing any good for us, I have really bad anxiety and I’m currently on day 8 and holy shit has my anxiety dropped extremely it’s actually insane. Keep looking at nicotine as something that’s taking things you love away from you. And not something you need to do the things you love. That’s what’s been helping me :) you can do it!!!!

17sapphire

thank you for mr. snoopy 🥺🥺 glad to know i’m not alone in my thoughts. we got this!!! day 8 is huge!!! i’m hoping i can make it there and further! best of luck to you <3

You as well love:)❤️

You can do it! I’m on day 3 also and missing it hard especially bc I’m entering my busy season at work and it really helps me focus. I popped an adderall instead (I have ADHD) and doing my best to ignore it. Let the craving pass and you’ll get through it. Usually I get a deep craving and then I distract with something else and totally forget about it

Adept_Cow7887

OH GOD YOU ARE SO CLOSE AND YOU'VE COME SOOOO FAR!

17sapphire

so close to what

Adept_Cow7887

To being over. To quitting. 3 days is huge. You can't start again now, you've made so much progress

17sapphire

i really truly feel that way. and the fact that the nicotine is pretty much out of my system - if i relapse i’ll just be putting it back into my system and have to start all over! i will keep pushing >:) thank you

Longjumping-Fee9570

Day 3 to 5 are brutal but it does get better after. And you'll look back at it and say to yourself it wasn't that bad finally and totally worth it.

thafloorer

You have to distract yourself for the first week try working or playing video games 16 hours a day

itsuteki

I'm struggling right now too, I am 4 days off of nic and am in the same boat. I keep telling myself it's all in my head yk