I'm a non-smoker, non-nicotine gum chewer, non-nicotine lozenge eater, non-vaper and now on the last frontier--becoming a non-nicotine pouch user.  Let's face it, I'm an addict and nicotine is an incredibly powerful drug.  I'm in day three of my quit plan--titrating down from 8 pouches a day to 6 day two, 5 day three with a quit date of June 9.  As a recovering alcoholic, I am also using the principles and tools that have kept me sober for years, but had not used with my nicotine addiction.  I've enrolled my wife in to support me this time (as opposed to sneaking behind her back for my "fix").  And I am also talking to a friend of mine from AA to keep the "nicodemon" at bay (got that great reference off one of the posts here).  

Looking forward to having a place to get the nicotine crazies out of my head one day at a time--thanks for being here, recovery from anything is not a do-it-yourself proposition, I have decades of trying and failing to prove that point for myself.

Welcome FriendoBill. I never used a pouch or chewed tobacco, but I imagine the addiction is similar to the cigarette version. You should find some good information on this site.  Post if you have any questions or just feel the need to rant.

Paul

Hello and Welcome!  You have a nice place to hang out, along with all us other nicotine addicts!  Was there a habit you were altering when you started on the pouches?  My son in law uses them as an alternative to smoking for the last two years and my husband uses them to replace 1 of his chews per day.  
 

I would imagine that the information on this site will be very useful to you as it isn’t the smoke, cigarette, chew, vape, etc that we are addicted to, it is the nicotine.  I would still recommend ice water thru a straw and reading very well mind.com articles about addiction as a start.   Here is one:

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-are-the-icky-threes-2824685

Thanks Susan, I have decades of attempts to get off nicotine, first it was gum to get off cigarettes next it was Lozenges to get off gum then it was vape and now pouches.  This time, I am accountable to my partner and hope that this forum will keep me on track. I appreciate your note and the reference I’ll check in out!

Thanks Paul!  Will do. 

To the new forum member:

Welcome to the About Smoking Cessation Forum

I have been visiting this website for 4 years and have found it extremely helpful in my fight with nicotine addiction. Although not having any long-term abstinence, every time I returned to smoking, I was met with encouragement and positive responses from the community. I am not alone. It makes me feel good when someone responds to my many posts over the years, like they really care.

You will find genuine and sincere people on your side here. Feel free to share any feelings, thoughts, anything that you may be experiencing. No matter what you say, even if doesn't make any sense, people are listening and want to help. 

I could relate to much of your post. I too am a recovering alcoholic (other substances too). I have found nicotine to be the biggest challenge of all. Smoking for longer than anything, my addictions have been with me since I was a teenager. I am now 68 going on 16. Young at heart and willing to do anything that will help me age gracefully. 

Over the years I have tried several methods to quit. Of course, cold turkey, which always ended in short-term failure. Hypnosis, IV drug therapy, books and video seminars, oral medication (Chantix and Wellbutrin), nicotine products such as the patch, gum and lozenges. I never thought any of them helped. I a few months ago I discovered a new substitute called nicotine pouches. These were the only thing that had a similar effect to smoking. I use them more and more each day. 

 I find that I am slowly getting addicted to the pouches. Not a good thing because they help to continue the addiction. My plan is 28 days on the patch with the 8mg pouches and then another two weeks or so on the pouches and then finally two more weeks on the 4mg pouches after which I will be on my own. 

I believe this is a good plan. And as with any plan it has to be followed accordingly. I think I can pull it off. I am ready to make this one stick. I have so many other things I want to do to take care of me (physical, mental and spiritual) I don't want to be bothered with smoking any longer. 

Wish me well. I look forward to any posts that may come my way.

Good day,

Andrew

To the new forum member:

Welcome to the About Smoking Cessation Forum

I have been visiting this website for 4 years and have found it extremely helpful in my fight with nicotine addiction. Although not having any long-term abstinence, every time I returned to smoking, I was met with encouragement and positive responses from the community. I am not alone. It makes me feel good when someone responds to my many posts over the years, like they really care.

You will find genuine and sincere people on your side here. Feel free to share any feelings, thoughts, anything that you may be experiencing. No matter what you say, even if doesn't make any sense, people are listening and want to help. 

I could relate to much of your post. I too am a recovering alcoholic (other substances too). I have found nicotine to be the biggest challenge of all. Smoking for longer than anything, my addictions have been with me since I was a teenager. I am now 68 going on 16. Young at heart and willing to do anything that will help me age gracefully. 

Over the years I have tried several methods to quit. Of course, cold turkey, which always ended in short-term failure. Hypnosis, IV drug therapy, books and video seminars, oral medication (Chantix and Wellbutrin), nicotine products such as the patch, gum and lozenges. I never thought any of them helped. I a few months ago I discovered a new substitute called nicotine pouches. These were the only thing that had a similar effect to smoking. I use them more and more each day. 

 I find that I am slowly getting addicted to the pouches. Not a good thing because they help to continue the addiction. My plan is 28 days on the patch with the 8mg pouches and then another two weeks or so on the pouches and then finally two more weeks on the 4mg pouches after which I will be on my own. 

I believe this is a good plan. And as with any plan it has to be followed accordingly. I think I can pull it off. I am ready to make this one stick. I have so many other things I want to do to take care of me (physical, mental and spiritual) I don't want to be bothered with smoking any longer. 

Wish me well. I look forward to any posts that may come my way.

Good day,

Andrew

Thanks for your post Andrew, looks like our stories are very similar (imagine that—one AA to another!). Today is my quit day, I’ve been encouraged to keep it along with my sobriety date which I plan to do. 
 

I did the express version of the graduated reduction —day 1 was 5x8mg pouch, day 2 4x8mg and so on for days 3 and four. Yesterday was 2x8mg and today nicotine free. So far so good—minimal cravings easily tolerated so far. 
 

Good luck with your plan, looking forward to hearing how you are doing. 

Andrew....

I have been reading your posts, and congratulate you on your quest to beating the nicotine addiction.  It certainly takes a hearty soul to get back up after a relapse.  FriendoBill, welcome to the forum!  It is a great corner of warmth and encouragement, understanding and intelligence.  Best of luck to both of you... In quitting nicotine in order to be your best selves!  We are all on a journey to become our best self, and along the way, as hard as it may be, we must choose health over sickness!  I too, am quitting nicotine lozenges for probably the 50th time.  Day One starts tomorrow.

I know, that for me, nicotine replaces thoughts of eating. Having struggled with eating disorders my whole life, I need to find a new and healthy way to deal with either dieting or binge eating.  I am trying to find a new and healthy balance.

I sucked my last lozenge half an hour ago, and hopefully this time it WILL be the last of them!  I am looking forward to this time around!  I will keep you all posted.  I apologize if I have been away for a while.  Life has been so full and busy.  Blessings!