What do you guys think? Warning ***contains rant***

[kevlar]

I quit snus 3 months ago with relative ease but still think about it several times a day. I'm considering resuming my habit but I'm just not sure. I quit snus to save money, not feel like an addict/slave, and I had a tendency to use too much and feel strung out at the end of the day. However now I miss it because it helped me focus, and was a small luxury that I could get alot of satisfaction out of. I also eat more becuase I feel like my mouth should be doing something. I chew gum a lot too but it gives me headaches(around jaw muscles) so I cant do it all the time.

When I was using it, I felt bad about using it and wanted to stop. Now that I've stopped I want to use it and feel bad about starting again like I'd be causing disappointment to people in my life. I guess I just don't like feeling guilty about it. I want to be able to embrace what I love with out hesitation or negative feelings. Do you guys ever feel like that when it comes to tobacco? I've been smoking the occasional cigarette as well which I hate but I genuinely feel powerless to the tobacco sometimes. Using and not using both suck for their own reasons so I don't know what do go with. Any of you relate to this at all?

[Snusdog]

I would talk to those around you that you feel you would be letting down and tell them basically what you posted above......see what they say.

Given the negligible health risk of snus.......and the fact that you are swapping it out with chemically laden gum, an occasional cigarette, and over eating.......snus might be the healthiest option.

On the reverse side, it can be expensive (so is golf) and it is a hassle at times (so is a special diet). In the end you need to be a peace with whichever way you decide.

[psychicferret]

im trying to quit atm, nicotinell are the best ive found but only 2mg bioavailable per lozange, and they have the check to call them extra strong. still feels cleaner then snus and less mess, todays my first day.

the only reason why im quitting is because i cant get snus in the uk easily. i guess the eu win. ill just prop up big pharma

[wa3zrm]

IMO, the only way to quit is through gradual reduction. If you are using starks, stop. Start using regular strength portions and limit yourself to so many a day. Then, when you are ready, switch either those nic "tic tac" Stonewall's or those micro 3MG portions that Northener sells. I've noticed when I use the 3MG Northerner portions, I only use one tin over a entire week. Whatever you do, good luck.

[kevlar]

Thanks for the advice gentlemen. I am using snus again but trying to keep it light. So far I'm able to stick to only one or two portions a day as an evening treat. This is pretty great but lets see how long before I'm chain snusing all day again hahaha.

[psychicferret]

Well not long probably, depends if you can be strict with yourself.

Man i sware nicorette lozenges are more addictive then snus, but their quite quite a good replacement... apart from oding on mintyness.

Back on snus for the moment.

[kevlar]

I think everything is more addictive than snus. Cigarettes were very hard for me to quit but snus so far is easy to not use until I want one before bed.

Although as Mark Twain said
Quitting is easy I've done it hundreds of times he said something along those lines

[OregonNative]

Brother anytime I tried to give up nicotine I replaced it with other vices. I look at snus as the "lesser demon". Ultimately you'll have to weigh the options and decide what you'd like to do. Also good to see another Portlander around these parts.

[kevlar]

Hey Oregon Native! yeah there are a few of us I noticed.
I took a temp job as a UPS delivery driver over the holidays and delivered a snus package to some dude. I picked it up and I was like hmm..this feels familiar...the shipping label was from sweden and it required adult signature. The guy wasn't home on my first pass and I felt bad because I hate it when I miss my package so instead of returning it to the warehouse I went back by his place a couple hours later and he was home hahaha. gotta look out for our fellow snusers!

[OregonNative]

Hey Oregon Native! yeah there are a few of us I noticed.
I took a temp job as a UPS delivery driver over the holidays and delivered a snus package to some dude. I picked it up and I was like hmm..this feels familiar...the shipping label was from sweden and it required adult signature. The guy wasn't home on my first pass and I felt bad because I hate it when I miss my package so instead of returning it to the warehouse I went back by his place a couple hours later and he was home hahaha. gotta look out for our fellow snusers!

Definitely! We all want to get our snus as soon as possible. That's crazy that you're a UPSer bro; until a month ago I was working for UPS Freight. I'm guessing you're over there at Swan Island with the rest of the small pack/parcel guys.

Back onto the original topic though, I always replaced my nicotine vice with another version. I quit using snus for about a few months and started vaping and didn't like how my chest felt heavier, etc. Started using Grizzly or other smokeless tobacco again because I didn't have snus on hand, the problems I had from "dip" came back (hurting gums/tongue/etc). One way or another I always came back to snus. The way I look at it is, I like using snus, I believe that snus is safer than the alternatives, and it's really not that expensive. Hell, how many people stop and grab a $5 coffee every morning, or a $4-7 energy drink every single day? If I go through a can of snus a day, it's still cheaper than going to Starbucks everyday, lasts longer, and as you put it, it's a small luxury that makes the day (for me at least) a little bit better.

I know last peak season it sure helped me stay focused on those incredibly long days.