I can’t quit vaping

[Rainstorm]

I’ve been vaping/using tobacco since I was 16. I am now 32. I just got out of the hospital and quit for 4 days but I was miserable the whole 4 days and ran right back to my vape. I feel defeated because I have schizophrenia and I am on antipsychotics which block dopamine so I use nicotine to level out the dopamine in my brain. In other words the odds are stacked against me because I don’t have a normal brain anyways. I am so close to giving up. I also have bad gum disease from vaping.

 

[cinder]

Have you tried nicotine patches or chewing gum? Those have been pretty popular aids to quitting and even if you just change from vape to nicotine gum you might well be solving some of the additional issues vaping has been causing. There's also digging through the internet trying to find good research on other ways to break the addiction cycle and / or things you can do to decrease schizophrenia symptoms. Since I'm not an expert on that and just know it can be severe enough that bad advice can be really bad I'm going to refrain from giving advice about things I don't know about.

 

[Sculpt]

I’ve been vaping/using tobacco since I was 16. I am now 32. I just got out of the hospital and quit for 4 days but I was miserable the whole 4 days and ran right back to my vape. I feel defeated because I have schizophrenia and I am on antipsychotics which block dopamine so I use nicotine to level out the dopamine in my brain. In other words the odds are stacked against me because I don’t have a normal brain anyways. I am so close to giving up. I also have bad gum disease from vaping.

Don't give up brother, Rainstorm. You've engaged your brothers and sisters to pray for you. I've said a prayer for you and will keep you in my prayers.

The prior post, from Cinder, is quite correct. You've decided to quit destroying your body with smoke and you can do it with the help of the Lord. The nicotine patches will help you with the nicotine withdrawal effects without the damage of the smoke and who knows what other chemicals.

It's difficult to concentrate on not doing something, and it's so much a sweet day to concentrate on doing better things. You know better than anyone what those better things are. I would just be guessing... but I'd suggest you get out into nature and do nature walks with plenty of water. Maybe with friends or family.

This motion will help get you bodily juices flowing to help every thing in your body... your brain, stomach, lungs, everything will be cleaned and resupplied.

Maybe you like to swim (with a friend), or tennis, basketball, hikes, dancing, yoga, weight lifting, jogging, etc.

Focus your attention on the good things and this will take your attention off the withdrawals and vaping. Pray, read the NT, go to bible studies, listen to music, dance, be with friends/family, get into nature, exercise and eat healthily. This is what scripture say to do: think on the good things. Science has proven that correct, even attention is used to reduce chronic pain. The Lord will give you this victory.

 

[JohnDB]

I used chantix...or varen-something-or-another and after 45 years....I quit.
I'm now just another degenerate quitter like everyone else....

Do not think that your desire for one goes away....it does not. The physical effects of withdrawal are gone....none whatsoever.
But the desire to step outside and have a cigarette has not gone away.

I quit months ago....

I still want to go outside, sit in one of my many chairs with a cold drink (coffee in the mornings) and puff lazily away.
No physical nervousness,
no edgy feelings....
just a simple desire to puff a cigarette.

Complete the relaxation routine....

Nope.....not happening.

 

[DeanM]

I used chantix...or varen-something-or-another and after 45 years....I quit.
I'm now just another degenerate quitter like everyone else....

Do not think that your desire for one goes away....it does not. The physical effects of withdrawal are gone....none whatsoever.
But the desire to step outside and have a cigarette has not gone away.

I quit months ago....

I still want to go outside, sit in one of my many chairs with a cold drink (coffee in the mornings) and puff lazily away.
No physical nervousness,
no edgy feelings....
just a simple desire to puff a cigarette.

Complete the relaxation routine....

Nope.....not happening.

I quit in '98 and still think sometimes it would be nice to have a Camel.

 

[JohnDB]

I quit in '98 and still think sometimes it would be nice to have a Camel.

I'd travel 28 years to smoke a camel.....

 

[Rainstorm]

You guys aren’t making me wanna quit anymore by saying you still crave one

 

[JohnDB]

You guys aren’t making me wanna quit anymore by saying you still crave one

There always exists the alternative of not quitting....
But

Emphysema is not fun, being married to an oxygen accumulator and having trouble catching your breath well enough to carry on a conversation.....
Then theres the drugs to treat the COPD....you wont be able to sleep either.
Then theres the issues with your prostate....from all the drugs.
And that's if you first dont catch a bout of lung or throat cancer.

And since your blood oxygen levels will drop off....
You wont be able to concentrate on anything requiring complex thought....like 2×6+4=___

Yeah.....choice is all yours.

But life at the nursing homes sucks....lowest common denominator in society very often works there....of course they dont wear badges saying that....just like not all prostitutes wear signs and carry a prostitute's union card....

Choice is ALL yours.

 

[tourist]

I’ve been vaping/using tobacco since I was 16. I am now 32. I just got out of the hospital and quit for 4 days but I was miserable the whole 4 days and ran right back to my vape. I feel defeated because I have schizophrenia and I am on antipsychotics which block dopamine so I use nicotine to level out the dopamine in my brain. In other words the odds are stacked against me because I don’t have a normal brain anyways. I am so close to giving up. I also have bad gum disease from vaping.

I don't believe that I have ever met anyone who has a 'normal' brain. Gum disease is not good though but can be treated by a dentist and proper dental hygiene. I wouldn't beat myself up about the vaping. There are much worse habits to have. In time, God may deliver you from this addiction.

 

[tourist]

I quit in '98 and still think sometimes it would be nice to have a Camel.

I would walk a mile for a Camel.

 

[tourist]

I still want to go outside, sit in one of my many chairs with a cold drink (coffee in the mornings) and puff lazily away. I do this every morning. Very calm and serene. Watch the squirrels and the birds.

 

[LTL]

My son (29) started smoking as a teen. He caught my ashtray in the car on fire, the top of the table in the shop was caught on fire, and the back porch was caught on fire. Now he does vape. It is much safer for everyone.

Smoking is dirty and dangerous, whereas vaping is not. I have not heard of house fires caused by vaping. It does not happen.

So if you are going to have a dependency, vaping is not bad. Yes, it will destroy your gums, and teeth, and lungs. And that is okay. Fat people destroy their hearts and kidneys. Others destroy this or that. We all make our choices knowing the damage we cause to ourselves.

We carry our dependencies into the spirit world after we die. The desire for whatever we are addicted to is still there. We are slaves to that master. Never to be free. And that is okay as well. If being a slave is acceptable to you. It is to most people. A slave to the body.

That is why the resurrection is so important to us. So we can have the perfect body to indulge in the things we enjoy. Some will vape, some will not. However, hate is not allowed. So those who want to hate will loose their resurrected bodies. The Savior draws the line there. All haters are cast out with Lucifer. But vaping? Choose your vice. You will live forever if you follow Jesus Christ. And you can vape forever.

However, for those who want to be free, that possibility does exist. So you will get your resurrected body and be free. Not bound like a slave. And that is the torment that those who die the second physical death enjoy. They can only remember what the physical body was like, forever.

So those who keep their resurrected body enjoy, while those who do not can not.

In conclusion, vaping is not a bad vice to have. Just know that you are a slave to your body, and if you follow Jesus Christ to love your fellow man, then you will be able to vape after the resurrection. If you do not follow Jesus Christ to love your fellow man but rather hate, then your vaping days will be over forever as your resurrected body dies for lack of love. Jesus is the resurrection and the life of man. Only he can sustain your resurrected body so that you can vape to your hearts content forever.

 

[cinder]

My son (29) started smoking as a teen. He caught my ashtray in the car on fire, the top of the table in the shop was caught on fire, and the back porch was caught on fire. Now he does vape. It is much safer for everyone.

Smoking is dirty and dangerous, whereas vaping is not. I have not heard of house fires caused by vaping. It does not happen.

So if you are going to have a dependency, vaping is not bad. Yes, it will destroy your gums, and teeth, and lungs. And that is okay. Fat people destroy their hearts and kidneys. Others destroy this or that. We all make our choices knowing the damage we cause to ourselves.

We carry our dependencies into the spirit world after we die. The desire for whatever we are addicted to is still there. We are slaves to that master. Never to be free. And that is okay as well. If being a slave is acceptable to you. It is to most people. A slave to the body.

That is why the resurrection is so important to us. So we can have the perfect body to indulge in the things we enjoy. Some will vape, some will not. However, hate is not allowed. So those who want to hate will loose their resurrected bodies. The Savior draws the line there. All haters are cast out with Lucifer. But vaping? Choose your vice. You will live forever if you follow Jesus Christ. And you can vape forever.

However, for those who want to be free, that possibility does exist. So you will get your resurrected body and be free. Not bound like a slave. And that is the torment that those who die the second physical death enjoy. They can only remember what the physical body was like, forever.

So those who keep their resurrected body enjoy, while those who do not can not.

In conclusion, vaping is not a bad vice to have. Just know that you are a slave to your body, and if you follow Jesus Christ to love your fellow man, then you will be able to vape after the resurrection. If you do not follow Jesus Christ to love your fellow man but rather hate, then your vaping days will be over forever as your resurrected body dies for lack of love. Jesus is the resurrection and the life of man. Only he can sustain your resurrected body so that you can vape to your hearts content forever.

That's one of the most ridiculous eschatological takes I've ever read. What's the point of a resurrected body if it's got all the same problems and weaknesses as the current body? And if something is really a vice (which is just another word for sin), how could God tolerate it in his kingdom? It's not like God divvies things up into acceptable and unacceptable sins.

Vaping may have some advantages over smoking, but that doesn't make it good just makes it less bad.

 

[LTL]

That's one of the most ridiculous eschatological takes I've ever read. What's the point of a resurrected body if it's got all the same problems and weaknesses as the current body? And if something is really a vice (which is just another word for sin), how could God tolerate it in his kingdom? It's not like God divvies things up into acceptable and unacceptable sins.

Vaping may have some advantages over smoking, but that doesn't make it good just makes it less bad.

I suppose it is a matter of perspective. If you are going to be addicted to a substance, then vaping is a good addiction. But more than that, it is in the mind. So not only is the body addicted, but the mind is as well. So when you die, you will have these same addictions. They do not simply go away.

For example, you will continue to love your spouse and children. Because it was the love you experienced in mortality. These things do not simply go away. And that is why hate is so dangerous. Because hate comes from Lucifer and is not allowed in the kingdom of God. But vaping is not hate.

You think that living forever in a resurrected body means you can not do anything that might have been bad for you in mortality. People will continue to love one another. They will drink wine. Smoke cigars, etc. Why live forever if you can not enjoy a fine cigar?

We will smoke a cigars and vape as we wish. And the kingdom of God can accommodate all the people. Those with vices and those without. And no one can stop us, because it is not a sin. Don't get me wrong, some things are sins here as well as there. But vaping is not one of those. It is simply not good for you. A vice. And while the culture may make a person feel uncomfortable, there are other cultures where vaping is acceptable. There will be millions upon millions, and somewhere there will be a few who vape. And although I do not vape, I enjoy the freedom of those who do.

We will not be prisoners in the kingdom of God, but enjoy freedom under the laws of Jesus Christ. And vaping is not a sin, and neither is drinking wine. Two things that our modern godless culture frowns upon.

I suppose vaping in moderation, and not as an addiction, would be the best.

 

[Magenta]

You guys aren’t making me wanna quit anymore by saying you still crave one

I used to laugh when I saw included in the warnings for movies, contains smoking. But now I understand. The flesh is weak even when the spirit is willing. There have been times God completely removed the desire to smoke... and yet? I began again, a number of times. I have also been hospitalized and unable to smoke for days, and by the time I got home, even if I had no driving desire to smoke, and yet if cigs were there... one time it was, well, I will not inhale. LOL. Quit for seven years once. A relationship ending made me want to smoke again at three years clean but I got over it with the help of friends, and then a few years later? Relationship issues, oh yes, so easy to say it was that, when the truth is I made another bad decision. I quite again after that and was doing well three years in when something totally derailed me. Ugh. I was using smoking to push my feelings down. And I cannot tell you how many years I tried managing that which I am powerless over by smoking only three a day. Now? Now I have COPD and have a lung specialist. And don't smoke. I hope you can quit. Sooner better than later.

 

[JohnDB]

I used to laugh when I saw included in the warnings for movies, contains smoking. But now I understand. The flesh is weak even when the spirit is willing. There have been times God completely removed the desire to smoke... and yet? I began again, a number of times. I have also been hospitalized and unable to smoke for days, and by the time I got home, even if I had no driving desire to smoke, and yet if cigs were there... one time it was, well, I will not inhale. LOL. Quit for seven years once. A relationship ending made me want to smoke again at three years clean but I got over it with the help of friends, and then a few years later? Relationship issues, oh yes, so easy to say it was that, when the truth is I made another bad decision. I quite again after that and was doing well three years in when something totally derailed me. Ugh. I was using smoking to push my feelings down. And I cannot tell you how many years I tried managing that which I am powerless over by smoking only three a day. Now? Now I have COPD and have a lung specialist. And don't smoke. I hope you can quit. Sooner better than later.

I'm so sorry....
But at least your artwork has not suffered.
And your scripture knowledge has not failed either.

 

[Magenta]

I'm so sorry....
But at least your artwork has not suffered.
And your scripture knowledge has not failed either.

Thank you... my creative drive has shifted to writing songs...

Youtube is even recommending this one now. I am not sure what that means aside for it gets put in front of people.
Most of my songs are praise and worship, but if this gets more ears hearing songs about God? That would be great...

In many ways it is a miracle I am still alive. Each day this side of the grass is a good day!

 

[LTL]

I used to laugh when I saw included in the warnings for movies, contains smoking. But now I understand. The flesh is weak even when the spirit is willing. There have been times God completely removed the desire to smoke... and yet? I began again, a number of times. I have also been hospitalized and unable to smoke for days, and by the time I got home, even if I had no driving desire to smoke, and yet if cigs were there... one time it was, well, I will not inhale. LOL. Quit for seven years once. A relationship ending made me want to smoke again at three years clean but I got over it with the help of friends, and then a few years later? Relationship issues, oh yes, so easy to say it was that, when the truth is I made another bad decision. I quite again after that and was doing well three years in when something totally derailed me. Ugh. I was using smoking to push my feelings down. And I cannot tell you how many years I tried managing that which I am powerless over by smoking only three a day. Now? Now I have COPD and have a lung specialist. And don't smoke. I hope you can quit. Sooner better than later.

You followed the same path as my dad. And in the end, he could not leave his house, and his wife filled the air with smoke. But that was his choice. And, that was her choice. They are both dead now. And by the way, awaiting their judgments. Because, they rejected Jesus Christ.

So, the main thing is to stay close to Jesus. Secondly, take care of your health. And if Rainstorm wants to vape, then more power to him. Although there are better choices. We all can make better choices. And as we get old we regret some of the choices we made when we were younger. Fortunately, we can repent and follow Jesus more closely.

So you are on the correct path Magenta. You are setting aside that which causes you regreat. I do the same. I always want to be a better person because I regreat some of the things that I have done. I was at times unkind to my children, and now I am always kind to my children. Things like that.

Yet, Rainstorm would be wise to move away from vaping. Nevertheless, I support him whatsoever decision he makes. Wise or unwise. He is like my son. Choosing to vape. And that is okay with me. We are free to choose.

 

[Magenta]

You followed the same path as my dad. And in the end, he could not leave his house, and his wife filled the air with smoke. But that was his choice. And, that was her choice. They are both dead now. And by the way, awaiting their judgments. Because, they rejected Jesus Christ.

So, the main thing is to stay close to Jesus. Secondly, take care of your health. And if Rainstorm wants to vape, then more power to him. Although there are better choices. We all can make better choices. And as we get old we regret some of the choices we made when we were younger. Fortunately, we can repent and follow Jesus more closely.

So you are on the correct path Magenta. You are setting aside that which causes you regreat. I do the same. I always want to be a better person because I regreat some of the things that I have done. I was at times unkind to my children, and now I am always kind to my children. Things like that.

Yet, Rainstorm would be wise to move away from vaping. Nevertheless, I support him whatsoever decision he makes. Wise or unwise. He is like my son. Choosing to vape. And that is okay with me. We are free to choose.

I originally got clean and sober after crying out to God, the God I did not believe in for help... and the next thing I knew? I lost the desire to use mind and mood altering substances after using drugs and alcohol "recreationally" for 24 years. Cigs are said to be calming, a stimulant also. AI overview says: Nicotine is chemically a stimulant that increases your heart rate and nervous system arousal. It creates a paradoxical "calming" effect by triggering dopamine (which elevates mood) and boosting GABA levels, allowing the brain to focus and temporarily relieve withdrawal-induced anxiety." Quitting the first time newly in recovery I leaned heavily on the serenity prayer. Cravings came and went at first and then they came and stayed but I stuck with prayer and the cravings eventually stopped... then seven years later I picked up cigs again, and a year after that was in full blown relapse after 8 years of clean time/sobriety. I was not a Christian yet, but the program was a great place for support and inspiration, even throughout my years of in/out, before finally putting down the ganja for good... my DOC (drug of choice). I still attend AA occasionally. The landscapes of our lives changed in 2020 also, lots of things got shut down temporarily, I was involuntarily retired, went through cancer treatments and surgeries, it was after that my COPD and mobility issues worsened, well, I am not a young person any more heh, so things change for that reason also, though I am back to work now part time, 3 days a week six hour days, which assures I get out of my chair and walk out my door... Thank you for your kind words...

 

[Sculpt]

Thank you... my creative drive has shifted to writing songs...

Youtube is even recommending this one now. I am not sure what that means aside for it gets put in front of people.
Most of my songs are praise and worship, but if this gets more ears hearing songs about God? That would be great...

In many ways it is a miracle I am still alive. Each day this side of the grass is a good day!

I love to hear you sing it instead.