I'm going to quit vaping

[Vapeaddict]

Anyone else trying/kicked the habit? Please send any words of wisdom, tips, tricks or even just a reminder that it's gross and I really need to do this!

I've been vaping for about 6 years now and I'm desperate to stop. My DC hate it and it's a bit embarrassing when out and about. It doesn't actually cost me that much (refillable vape, parts are inexpensive) so I can't go for a financial incentive but there are dozens of other reasons to stop.

There's never really been a 'good time' and now is no exception, apart from DH has packed in this week so a) he won't tempt me and b) I feel really bad making it more difficult for him!

I've bought patches and some lozenge type things and have been mindfully cutting down this week. Do I just go for it tomorrow?!

Hi quitters, how are you all getting on?
The cravings have ramped up really badly recently and I cracked and had a go on a disposable that I must've missed when I cleared out- it was awful and I coughed and spluttered for ages but I really wanted to carry on (I haven't).
My mood has absolutely nosedived too. I'm not even sure it's linked but after the initial positivity I felt for quitting, I'm really struggling recently. I don't want it to be a choice between vape or be a miserable grumpy cow but that's what it feels like I've got to pick between! Anyone else finding any weird changes?

Hey there @Vapeaddict I’m sorry to hear you’ve been struggling with bad cravings recently! Go easy on yourself as you’ve done so well and I too had been craving again. I’m 6 weeks free today, but I have to say week 4 I had a LOT of cravings that seemed to rear up from nowhere when I’d been feeling pretty good the previous week. I didn’t feel like I would cave but it was really hard having to ride those feelings out. But then week 5 it became so much easier and I felt a real shift to hardly thinking about vaping and not craving. The only thing I can say is that during week 4, when I was craving big time, I absolutely knew 100% that I would never vape again, that it wouldn’t do anything for me and that if I went back to it it would never be enough (i.e. I would constantly be vaping but still not satisfied fully), and I think this is what helped me turn a corner last week. It was almost like my addicted mind was giving me one final big push before it buggered off. I’ve been off the patches for three weeks now, but I am eating a lot of sweets so I’ll need to address that soon. It’s good that the disposable vape made you cough and so good you didn’t carry on even though you wanted too in that moment. I’ve recently got back into running and I’m finding it so much easier since I quit vaping so that’s really giving me another incentive as I can feel such a big difference. I’m also exercising as much as I can as I don’t want to put on weight and I find that’s really helping too as a stress reliever, mood booster / giver of endorphins, so I would massively recommend that if you can as a way to help.

I quit on the 27th of June, was tough at the start but feeling better now I don't really have many cravings. Mood swings at the beginning were mega though, my boyfriend really got alot of shit from me. I did think I'd fell into a depression it was so bad, but things are looking better now. I did have some physical symptoms as well like aching, head aches and dizziness, apparently all side effects. Hope you can stick at it x

Ah thank you for replying both!
I've fucked up and feel so annoyed with myself! I thought I was home and dry but this last week has been so bloody rough. I've been quite stressed but the feeling of sinking into depression has been absolutely awful- genuinely wondered about booking a GP appointment but I desperately don't want to go back on antidepressants. I've read around a bit and it seems like it's relatively normal but it's so extreme, I've cried a lot and felt really hopeless.

There's an old disposable upstairs and I keep going back to it. I don't even like it- it got forgotten about because it was disgusting at the time!- but I can't leave it alone, even though it's making me cough. It's nearly run out and I absolutely know I won't buy another, that's a bridge too far.
I know I should just go upstairs now and throw it into the bin outside but I can't bring myself to.

DC would be gutted 😢 and I feel like such a failure! Running isn't bad shout @FiDawlishW I'm not very good at it but did C25K years ago.

Do you think I'm completely back to square one? I'm trying to tell myself it's just a little blip but my defeatist attitude is winning at the moment.

@Vapeaddict you're not completely back to square one, go easy on yourself.

I've done the same. I quit on 21 May and have been clear since then apart from twice when I found a disposable in my work bag and vaped it until it ran out. There wasn't a lot in it left but I do know that feeling of not being able to throw it away.

Overall though it hasn't derailed my progress. I finished the one I found and then threw it in the bin and haven't vaped again. Even when other people have vaped around me I've managed not to go back to it so it's completely doable and hadn't taken you right back to the start, I promise.

I am still getting the odd craving now, I don't know if they'll ever disappear completely but what I remind myself is that the feeling will pass and it's still better than when I was vaping because back then it occupied my thoughts constantly.....when I could next vape, needing to buy vapes, I thought about it morning until night. Now I may get the odd craving but most days I don't think of vaping at all so it's so much better.

That's really reassuring @GameOfJones thank you for sharing. Really hope you're right and I haven't gone back to the start! I haven't quite got to grips with quitting again yet but the sneaky disposable must've nearly run out now and when it has I think it'll be easier.

I wish I hadn't found it or let it go on over several days- although I'm not back in the habit, it is back to occupying my thoughts and I've got a bit of a panic about when it does run out. I wonder if I needed to carry on with patches a bit longer. Having said that, I'm going out at the weekend and absolutely know I won't vape- it just seems so tempting in secret!

Taken some advice from @FiDawlishW and started some exercise, just videos on YouTube for now. I confided in a friend who also said I need to replace the endorphins I got from the vape with something else so this seems like a good idea. Sadly my crappy mood is getting in the way of motivation so I'm having to fake it til I make it!

Keep going op, get that one you found in the bin! I also thought it was either be a miserable grumpy git or vape but I promise it gets easier, I’m 12 weeks in now and still have the odd flicker of a craving but rarely. In the first few weeks I wanted to smash up the world 😂

Ugh I failed and I'm so ashamed!

Trying to tell myself that I've managed it once, I can do it again but I don't have the same desperation to stop this time round.

I've just downloaded the Allen Carr book to read to see if I can change my mindset a bit. I think the biggest reason for starting up again was how scarily quickly my mood dropped. It felt like being back in the depths of depression, and it lifted when I started again. Not really sure how to get over that one?

Hello, can I join this thread? I'm in the process of stopping too and really need peer support. It will be 3 weeks tomorrow, it's been hard especially last week. Feels like way longer than 3 weeks lol. I really want to keep going, this is not my first attempt at stopping, and I just want to be free from the nicotine addiction. I'm fed up of being addicted. My mind plays trick on me at times, telling me vaping isn't that bad. I have regularly Google vaping and cancer, to scare me off and keep going. How's everyone else doing?

@Vapeaddict I'm sorry you're finding quitting hard too. I have to say my mood isn't great either, I have been eating more treats to compensate but know I need to stop it. I've read it can take weeks for the brain chemistry to return to normalcy after quitting, feeling low is a "normal" as it's a withdrawal symptom. I tell myself I have to pull through and the feeling will stop. It is like being underwater in a long tunnel, holding my breath. I've failed too many times before, but I don't want to die young and not see my kids grow up. I'm stopping because I'm scared of cancer. What are your reasons for stopping?

Hi @Beepopu sorry I've only just seen your message. How are you doing? I'm still in failure mode I'm afraid. This is the first time I've quit/failed, I think I need to get over my feelings of shame at failing and get back on the horse with some confidence- I've done it once so I know it's possible. I know I failed because it's too easy for me access when temptation hits- I haven't worked out how to overcome that yet. I'm reading the Allen Carr book at the moment and hoping that does the trick when I've finished it.

I want to quit because I don't actually enjoy it, it's just like scratching an itch. My DC hate it and it's really unsociable. I hate being reliant on it and how access to vapes dictates my mood.

I was going to start a new thread, maybe even a new username, because I feel bad that I failed on my first attempt.

But there's so much good advice and support on here, and I've gone through so many old MN posts about quitting, I didn't want to leave this one as another "failure- didn't come back".

So here I am! I last vaped on Wednesday night and I could scream the cravings are so bad 😬 reading back through when I quit first time, and started this thread, I was so positive and excited! Beginning to wonder if "cold turkey" was the best idea, or of I should've gone back to patches or lower strength e-liquid or something. I saw a disappointing stat that said 3-7% success rate for cold turkey. Is this me trying to justify vaping again though? The mind does funny things.

I did read the Allen Carr book and whilst I agree with everything in principle, it hasn't been a miracle cure for me unfortunately. I know it does nothing for me, but it doesn't stop me wanting to do it!

@Vapeaddict No advice really but just wanted to say it's such a tough thing you're doing and I'm very impressed. 💪🏻💪🏻

Awe I'm sorry OP. I'm gutted the Allen Carr book didn't work for you, i was a heavy vaper (wfh on it all day etc) and it was indeed a miracle cure for me ive been vape/smoke/nicotine free about 7 months with zero cravings and I was going to suggest finishing it before I read your last update. My husband recently quit vaping he tried the Allen Carr audio book but it didn't work as well for him as it did me so he used one of those nicorette inhaler things with a nicotine tab in it but when it ran out he didn't replace it just used it to puff on to give his hand something to do. He didn't take it on holiday when we went a couple of weeks ago n he's not used it since.

Nicotine is the problem. Using patches is like someone who stops smoking heroin and injects instead. You haven't quit the drug you've just changed the method of administration. The goal is to be nicotine free, you've done it before, you can most definitely do it again. If cold turkey doesn't work then use the method that you will find easiest to stick to and if that is patches gum etc then use that and gradually wean yourself off it by reducing strength. Everyone is different.

Go easy on yourself. Quitting vapes is incredibly hard, and it won't help if you give yourself a hard time on top of dealing with your cravings and moods.

I've just started trying to wean myself off the vape. I'm trying lio. Which is basically shaped like a wooden vape but you use a filter with essential oils. There is some resistance when you use it so it's not like just sucking on a straw. I'm using it occasionally at the moment alongside the vape, but want to increase it to finally be able to get rid. It works with the hand to mouth and oral fixation a lot of vapers have.

Thank you all for the kind words! I am gutted it hasn't worked for me too @Lostinbrum I'm tempted to get the audio version and listen to it to see if it makes a difference?! I completely and wholeheartedly agree with everything he says, I'm just not sure I've managed to kill the Big Monster. I did read it in bits and bats- no time to sit for long enough to read in one go!- so perhaps that didn't help.

I don't miss the hand to mouth/something to do with my hands like I did when I quit first time round. I think I'm craving the hit in my throat and I'm convinced it will help my frayed nerves. I hate being so irritable! I was so positive the first time I quit, I think the combination of being angry and disappointed in myself, as well as some significant life stress plus the school holidays are all making it feel so difficult this time round. I'm also a bit worried about my mood dropping again. You're completely right though @Lostinbrum I'm giving myself a hard time.

I am tempted to go back to the patches but do them properly this time. I'm sure that's where I slipped up before, came off them too quick and got cocky. Feels like I'm completely stuck- annoyed with myself for vaping or annoyed at the world because I want to & can't!

Hope the Lio helps you @OlympiaOzempic the hand to mouth was so tough to break!

I think it def helps to read it in big chunks. I probably finished the book in about 3 sittings. It's hard work n I did have to force myself to read it but I think it's the repetition in it, it won't have an effect if you read it over the span of weeks rather then days. My husband also took too long to finish the book which is also why I think it didn't work aswell for him. You also have to go in believing that it will work for you. When he says you won't need will power it honestly was like that for me. I didn't have to tell myself no don't have a vape and try and battle through the cravings I just stopped wanting to do it. But I had to reach a point where I really wanted to quit. You know when you reach that point. I used to say ill never be able to stop vaping it's too easy to vape at home etc (I had stopped smoking fairly easily before) but in the new year I had a bad cold that turned into a chest infection that turned into the worst sinusitis I'd ever had I was very poorly n I think vaping had made it harder for me to shift them. That made me want to stop.

I had a pounding headache for 2 days and was pretty ratty but after that I felt great. Months later I found an old elf bar in my door pocket when cleaning out the car, the thought of putting it in my mouth and inhaling something into my lungs repulsed me. I wouldnt vape now if you paid me. And I was a heavy vaper, on it all day while wfh and as much as possible while in the office. It is def possible, and the cravings are all in our heads we just have to convince our brains about it!

@Vapeaddict I'm glad you didn't start a new thread and well done for getting back on the horse. How are you doing? I have tried quitting several times and lasted longer without NRT. I tried the gums and that gave me terrible stomach ache, even when being very careful not to swallow the chewing gum juice or whatever you call it. And with the lozenges, I was still having cravings. Haven't tried patches though. I think a change of scenery also helps break the habit, like going on holiday.

It's now been 4 weeks and 3 days for me. I don't really have cravings anymore but I know I'm still very fragile. I'm not around people who smoke nor vape, there's no temptation. Vaping used to be the first thing I'd think of when waking up (even if I wouldn't vape straight away, I've always vaped in secret, after the school run, which is another thing that I loathed) , and it would really annoy me but I just accepted it. Now I don't think about it as much, definitely not when I first wake up. I'm happy I don't have that thought first thing in the morning anymore. I do think about it during the day sometimes but not as a craving, more like I hope I don't start vaping again when I get back home (I'm away at the moment, which really helps). My brain still tries to convince me that vaping isn't so bad after all. I think it's the addiction talking, I ignore it and think about cancer. I'm so scared of cancer and don't want to die young. I imagine that in the future there will be studies proving that vaping causes cancer, just like how it took years for establishing the link between smoking and cancer.

I'm going to get a copy of the Alan Carr book too, my brain needs all the motivation it can get

I hope we can all use this thread to support and encourage each other!

I wanted to add, I think there's such a huge lack of support for people who want to quit vaping. I tried to access the services available out there, but on my first telephone appointment, I was told I didn't qualify because I don't smoke cigarettes!

Day 4! Very, very slightly less scream-ragey today but it's so slight, it's almost imperceptible 😉 iykyk..

See I did pay attention to the AC book, and I even highlighted bits of it and made some notes on my phone and read them. I totally agree with him. Nicotine does absolutely nothing for you, one vape sets off the craving for the next etc. I still just really want to 🥴 I've been trying to say "Yippee, I'm free" with every craving today.

I might have a go at reading it again in bigger chunks @Lostinbrum - my sleep has been all over the place so I'd been dozing off while trying to read it, took about 10 days in all!

I'm not sure I was "ready"- I was saying earlier to DH, who is aware of my slip up and has been lovely about it- when I gave up smoking, and later vaping, it's always for somebody else: expartners/DC. I've always agreed that it's a good idea but it's never been because it's what I personally genuinely wanted and driven by me. That's probably why it's so hard! It seems ridiculous to go back now I've made it to day 4 though- I'm praying it starts getting a little bit easier. DH has stuck to it but said he still craves all the time, it doesn't fill me with hope..

Thank you and well done to you @Beepopu that's an amazing achievement. Don't do what I did and get complacent and think just one won't hurt 🙃 I hear you on the secret vaping, it adds an extra layer of awful doesn't it? I can definitely recommend the Allen Carr book- it didn't work as a miracle cure for me but it does raise some really good points and I nodded along all the way through. It was nice to feel understood because yes, you're absolutely right that there's little support out there! Thank god for MN/Reddit!

Has anybody tried the varenicline? I know pp mentioned it. Feeling a bit desperate/hopeless.

@Vapeaddict I'm sorry you are finding today difficult. I have never tried it, I did see Champix mentioned on old threads and didn't realise there was a new version. I just thought they discontinued it and that was it. I looked it up on the asda online pharmacy and the list of side effects is very long.

I was feeling down and depressed too the first couple of weeks. Also kind of mourning my vaping life. Even if I didn't like it at times and wanted to stop, I did enjoy it and especially certain associations. For exemple when I'm meeting specific friends and having a drink. When I get back from the school run and have a coffee and vape. After I've put the kids to bed, after a hard day's work in the car, after an argument, the list goes on. It had become such a habit, it's hard to imagine life without.

How's your DH coping? How long has he been off now? You said he told you he still has cravings, but is it getting any better?

Yeah they seem to have tweaked it and brought it out again @Beepopu. My DH has had success with it to quit smoking cigarettes before. The side effects don't sound great but that kinda sounds like short term pain for long term gain.. as it stands it feels like this will never feel doable!

Sorry, I'm finding it so so difficult, had hoped it would feel a tiny bit easier this time. I remember it being hard last time but there was part of me that thought I could actually do it. The failure is playing on my mind and telling me I can't and it's only a matter of time before I cave.

DH has done amazing. He stopped at the beginning of June and hasn't wavered. When I confessed that I'd messed up, he was so lovely about it. Said he still found it really fucking hard and craved all the time. I hoped he'd be mostly fine by now- nearly 3 months- and that would spur me on but I feel like I'm going to be miserable and climbing the walls forever!

@Vapeaddict How would that work, would you have to start vaping again and take the medication for a while then stop vaping again. If you're finding it really hard, maybe that could be the solution for you. I was also tempted when I saw it mentioned but then noticed it had been discontinued and didn't see it was out again, otherwise I think I would also have gone for it. From what I've read, nicotine changes the structure of the brain which is why we feel down and moody when stopping. If the medication helps combat feelings of depression and all that, it's definitely worth looking into it!

Stay strong OP. I tried AC years ago when I smoked cigarettes and read it a couple of times but it just never worked for me either. I quit cold turkey when I got pregnant but the cravings never went away. I began vaping when DD was only days old. That was over 6 years ago.
I have no advice for you but you are clearly trying very hard, and that is commendable. It’s so godamn tough.
I want to quit so so badly. I have managed a few weeks here and there before with the help of nicotine patches but it’s PMS that gets me; I really fear the combination of bad PMS and cravings as my moods can get out of control. I’ve never seen this covered on any threads, but in the past I have found the combination of both just too much. I have short cycles too which doesn’t help as less time to get the craving out of my system before PMS kicks in.
I think weaning myself off the nicotine over a longer period is the only safe way for me to do it. I intend to start today and allow myself 5 pulls once per hour and gradually start pushing it out and practicing managing the cravings.

I will be following with interest and wish you the best of luck. I totally get that crushing, shitty feeling when you cave and give in to the cravings but you are not a failure!!