So I'm trying something different this time in regards to quitting. I bought a pack of clove cigs off amazon, these are tobacco and nicotine free. Going to see how long I can go without nicotine and HOPEFULLY the clove cigs at least trick my brain into thinking I'm getting my nic fix. Three days is the threshold to pass for the chemical to leave your body and brain so maybe this will bridge the gap.

I have leftover patches and gum if the cravings get too severe and I need one for my mental health.

  • glans [it/its]
    ·
    6 days ago

    clove cigs don't have tobacco? what are they made of?

    in any case: good luck to you!

    studies show that the thing most people who successfully quit smoking have in common is that they make multiple attempts. 4 is average but it can take more. I had a friend who counted every time they quit smoking till one day it worked, I forget the number but it was like attempt #231 or something.

    there is no such thing as failing to quit, it is always practice for next attempt. hopefully your previous practice will be enough to get you there this time!

    • SorosFootSoldier [he/him, they/them]
      hexagon
      ·
      6 days ago

      clove cigs don't have tobacco? what are they made of?

      idk it says so on the packaging I bought, but google says it contains 60% or so with cloves added so I'm not sure.

      • glans [it/its]
        ·
        edit-2
        6 days ago

        Well I did a websearch and there are lots of nic-free clove cigs. Top hit

        Ingredients: • Damiana leaf • Marshmallow leaf • Mullein leaf • Clove bud • Skullcap leaf & flower • Coltsfoot leaf & flower • Nutmeg seed • Vanilla bean

        damiana and skullcap are both herbs that have purported high-inducing effects in one form or another. Nutmeg I think only when eaten. I tried rolling spliffs with skullcap a long time ago and it was unsmokeably harsh. marshmallow, mullein and coltsfoot I believe not to have; just neutral fillers. (Based on very old knowledge that may not have been accurate when I learned it.) Dose is everything.

        If you take any prescription medications might be worthwhile to google them in combination with the ingredients if you end up keeping this plan longer than a couple of days just to be aware of any known interactions.

        But are they any good, do you think you'll keep it up?

        • SorosFootSoldier [he/him, they/them]
          hexagon
          ·
          6 days ago

          If you take any prescription medications might be worthwhile to google them in combination with the ingredients if you end up keeping this plan longer than a couple of days just to be aware of any known interactions.

          Thanks, I planned on quitting after 3 days anyway, this is just to get me over the hump of cravings nicotine as it leaves my body.

  • PM_ME_YOUR_FOUCAULTS [he/him, they/them]
    ·
    6 days ago

    I don't know have any advice because what helps is very individual, but I'm now 2.5 years out from a nicotine addiction that I thought would probably eventually kill me. Sending you some good vibes comrade

  • BarrelAgedBoredom@lemm.ee
    ·
    6 days ago

    If vaping is an option, I would suggest giving that a try. If I may offer some more unsolicited advice, here's what worked for me:

    When I first started vaping, I would still smoke cigarettes whenever I wanted one. Over time I wanted the cigs less and less and eventually stopped smoking them. I bought a refillable pod device (the vaporesso xros series are solid and cheap) and eventually learned to make my own juice. I can find the guide I used if you're interested, it's not difficult but does require care when dosing the nicotine. I tapered down on my nicotine dose over a period of ~6 months. I started out at 24 mg/ml, then went to 20, 15, 10, 8, 6, 3, 1.5, 0.75, 0.25, 0.1, and then nic free. I stayed on the nicotine free juice for a while afterwards because oral fixation, but that eventually went away as well.

    Not only does this allow you to set your own pace, but it saves you a ton of money in the long run as well. I was a pack a day smoker (~$200 USD/mo), vaping cut the costs down to ~70/mo, and then making my own juice reduced it to like 10-15/mo (2 pods, 2 bottles of juice). The upfront costs of making your own juice can be a little steep but you'll be saving a ton in the long run. I think it cost me around 120 or so to get set up. The bottles of VG and PG lasted me longer than it took me to quit, as did the nicotine. Flavors and bottles were my only reoccurring expense and those are dirt cheap in comparison to cigarettes or premade juice.

    Best of luck OP!

    • Palacegalleryratio [he/him]
      ·
      edit-2
      6 days ago

      Honestly think this is the best advice you’ll get. Though I’ll add to the recommendation to buy nicotine free ‘base’ juice and add your own nicotine. Lets you taper your dose way easier than store bought which is hard to get not in 20 strength.

      The main thing to be careful about is to make sure you get it all from reputable suppliers - there have been plenty of reports of nicotine free juice having loads of nicotine and other active chemicals in it to keep people hooked.

      Also fair warning: vapes are delicious and there isn’t a ‘stop point’ like with a cigarette that you finish. A vape you can keep sucking on indefinitely. So you can end up taking way more nicotine than you would smoking. So if you don’t smoke indoors or while driving or something then I would keep up that habit, and try to keep the vape to just a ‘smoking break’ type thing.

  • the_post_of_tom_joad [any, any]
    ·
    edit-2
    6 days ago

    Hey if the cloves aren't to your taste my friend uses cigs made from hemp (have you heard of those? I hadn't) to get her by when the cravins hit. I tried one, liked it. it was waay close to tobacco taste compared to cloves. I could ask her the brand if youre interested

    Edit oh yeah i should add they're tobacco free

    • SorosFootSoldier [he/him, they/them]
      hexagon
      ·
      6 days ago

      Hey if the cloves aren't to your taste my friend uses cigs made from hemp (have you heard of those? I hadn't) to get her by when the cravins hit. I tried one, liked it. it was waay close to tobacco taste compared to cloves. I could ask her the brand if youre interested

      Sure I'd be interested. I actually have a rolling machine in my house that I got for free in rehab.

      • the_post_of_tom_joad [any, any]
        ·
        edit-2
        6 days ago

        Ey, she got back to me. Looks like she likes two brands, Wild Hemp and Redwood. Looking at the packs i think i tried the Redwood brand but neither of us remember for sure.

        I had forgotten they have various degrees of CBD in them. I don't know if that's a dealbreaker

          • the_post_of_tom_joad [any, any]
            ·
            6 days ago

            I had no idea Amazon sold any hemp cigs until your comment made me check that out. They sell a lot of other brands of hemp cigs but i have a hunch that's not news to you ha! Good luck on quitting also, i have a nasty vape habit i haven't even tried to break recently.

            • SorosFootSoldier [he/him, they/them]
              hexagon
              ·
              6 days ago

              Ok, I'll root around then. Yeah vaping is honestly more addictive than smoking. With cigs I average about 6 a day while vaping I can do it from the moment I wake up until bed, and even sometimes I sneak it in getting up to pee in the middle of the night.