No vape December

[lightningatmidnight]

In recent years I’ve transitioned from smoking on a night out to vaping on a night out, and over the past year or so it’s crept into vaping at home of an evening, to every evening. I don’t tend to do so in the day but have done. I hate it! I hate feeling addicted to something and relying on it. I have a 5 year old and 1 year old and am so in the trenches the evening vape to take the edge has become my ‘treat’ but I don’t want it anymore. Today is the last day and I’m going no vape December, for a new start. I’ve tried a few times this month but have always caved and bought a new one. I’m 75% through Alan Carr so am aware of the truth of the situation but am still struggling to say no to myself.

The problem is, I can’t imagine never vaping again. I love going for a chat and a vape when drinking with my friends and the little head rush. I just don’t want to vape at home. I’m still working out if that’s achievable for me. My husband has very recently started vaping like a chimney having never done before, again to cope with the stress of life.

Anyone in the same boat and want to share some accountability?

Following. Not quite ready to commit. I do want to stop soon though x

I don’t know if I’m ready to commit to never vaping again - I just want to get back to it being a once in a blue moon vice. My boundary is going to be never having a vape in the house, only on nights out when drinking with friends. It goes in the bin after that. That’s what I used to do for years and years and I was very happy with that - it just crept up as a stress response to having young children and working. Everything on all of the forums says that cutting down to be social vaper is impossible once you’ve been addicted, but I’m not sure I’m at the ask level as most of them - they talk about vaping all day every day, inside the house, high percentages. I’m a melon lost Mary girl 😂

How did you get in today? I’m afraid I’m at the all-day vaping stage!
Gave-up smoking 5 years ago. But became addicted to Nicorette Quickmist. Tried to stop that by vaping, now addicted to vaping!

Does going zero nicotine count?

As in, still vaping but filling the pod with just the zero nic shortfill flavours.

(I'm trying to convince myself it is just the habit I'm addicted to and not the nicotine)

I quit 7 weeks ago after being a very heavy (all day/night) 10 year vaper including regularly sneaking off to the toilets at work, I would do it in bed, in the loo, essentially it was never out of my hand, all day long when working from home etc

I had convinced myself I couldn’t quit for years, that it was going to be too hard. I was terrified to even try. I did try a couple of half baked attempts to put it out of reach during the day and to cut back which failed miserably.

but it just got to the point where I thought right, no more. I’m in my mid 40s and I’ve got to stop this.

so yeah, I’m living proof that it can be done! I won’t lie, the first two weeks were very difficult and in the early days you’re thinking about it constantly but the cravings really do diminish over time. I still find myself thinking about it sporadically but it’s now more of a fleeting memory which I can easily get past.

I am still using a couple of pieces of nicotine gum every day as the nicotine craving is still there. But I’ve managed to break the non stop cycle of constantly reaching for the vape which is the main bit that I wanted to address.

It seems like an impossible task to stop especially when everyone is under so much stress these days. But what I’ve learned is that I was still stressed when vaping. I actually feel calmer and more in control generally now.

I would encourage you to give it a try and stop. I don’t think that cutting back works (it didn’t for me as it’s too addictive)

I threw away my vape on Sunday morning, haven’t vaped since and don’t feel any major desire to. Also haven’t had a glass of wine since then, and that is usually my downfall! I’m going for drinks with friends on Saturday and know I’m likely to vape then - but will make sure I throw it away immediately after the night and not bring it home. If I can get to that level of use, once a fortnight or so, I’d be happy. Not at home is my quitting rule. I’ll see how it goes after this weekend. It’s definitely a red herring that nicotine reduces stress. It’s made me feel far worse and guilty having a nightly vape to lower my stress than just feeling the stress in the first place