The slip into addiction

[DaveInPA]

I just wanted to add that I'm extremely glad that I found snus. I'm 25 now, and started smoking when I was 15. I smoked a pack a day for 10 years. I tried quitting using patches, gum, and Chantix with no sucess whatsoever.

I started using snus last week and my cigarette intake dropped drastically, and I just completely stopped smoking yesterday. I have absolutely zero desire at this point to smoke. I use strong snus in the morning and after meals (skruf stark and nick & johnny) and regular strength stuff the rest of the day every few hours (general white and grov white). I feel better already than I did while smoking. Snus keeps my nicotine level consistent all day long. I don't get those moments where my nic levels crash and I lose my mind waiting to get a chance to go out and smoke. I just pop in a portion and enjoy the ride.

I have already noticed that my gums looks fantastic, even after such a short period of time. Their color has improved rather dramatically, and there is no irritation when I brush. The only real concern I had with snus is that it would stain my porcelain crowns which comprise all of my front upper teeth. I called my dentist, and she told me that tobacco can not stain porcelain, no matter how much I use. Neither can coffee. She actually said that she's very happy that I've switched from cigarettes to snus. She told me that snus is expontentially better for my dental health than smoking.

So, with snus, my life is easier, I feel more relaxed and more focused, and I really like the fact that I'm taking an active role in seriously decreasing my risk of life ending illness related to cigarette smoking.

This may sound rather dramatic, but I think in the long run it'll prove true that snus may very well have saved my life.

Edited to add: I'm an RN, so it's also plus not smelling like smoke while telling patients not to smoke. :wink:

[HK11]

You may find that your mood is more even on snus too. At least that is the case for me. I guess the steady nicotine less spiky than the smoke/jones/smoke/jones cycle.

[DaveInPA]

You may find that your mood is more even on snus too. At least that is the case for me. I guess the steady nicotine less spiky than the smoke/jones/smoke/jones cycle.

Most definitely.

[Veganpunk]

You may find that your mood is more even on snus too. At least that is the case for me. I guess the steady nicotine less spiky than the smoke/jones/smoke/jones cycle.

I agree. I just started snusing, and with cigs, I was either really happy, or pissed off. Now I have a mild euphoria all day.

[kevin32]

1 Smoking cigarettes etc.
2 Riding a motorbike without a helmet (and perhaps even with a helmet)
3 Unprotected sex

I believe binge drinking should be added as #1. Of course, this doesn't kill you when you're old, this kills you when you're at any age, and unexpected. Not neccesarily from alcohol poisening, but from countless other stuff one might do while under the influence.

Concerning tooth loss, yes its added on general cans in the US. However, this warning is probably mandated for all smokeless tobacco based on studies done on American smokeless tobacco. This won't change before snus is grouped as a seperate catagory from dip. Unfortunately, nobody seems to be lobbying for that (yet).
Now, snus could very well cause it, we'll have to wait for the research to start pouring through. The best research would be to look up tooth loss rates in Sweden and compare them to the rest of Europe.

[texasmade]

You think too much man! :lol:


You get one life, and if you find something enjoyable that's not potentially going to ruin it, then enjoy.

the only thing that ruins life is someone telling you what you can and cannot enjoy

[MasterGuns]

I researched the crap out of snus before I ordered my first real can.
My family has a history of dependency, but not addiction, which I feel are different in that dependency for me denotes a coping mechanism, whereas addiction is physical. My great aunt was a flapper in the 20's and smoked for over sixty years, then dropped it on a whim because she'd rather spend her money on flowers.
Me, I haven't felt the need yet, and I snus anywhere between two to seven portions a day, pitiful by the standards of the average Swede from what I understand, but right on line with heavy nicotine intake (I lean more towards the seven on that scale).
My thoughts are similar to others here. Life is here to live. Those crusaders pulling their hair out over all the smoking and drinking in the world...I pity them. Snus has made me a happier person. I don't stress like I used to at work, and both my jobs are pretty high stress. Co-workers have commented on my better attitude and funnier jokes over the past few months, all the while having no clue I was snusing all the while.
And Sage was right when he said that as a doctor you'd be more relatable to your patients who have addiction, since you're a snuser. Too many times have I visited the doctor, told them I smoke cigars on occasion (haven't been since snusing) and passively been ordered to quit. I think...this person is clueless, aren't they? But you won't be, you'll be able to really help people who need it, and do what your primary job will be: not to preach, but save lives.
We are snusers who largely aren't from Sweden. Most of us came to our decision via heavy research, and I'm sure few of us took our decision lightly. But we love it and see it for what it is: a better life. If we are one of those 8 in 100000, well, the odds aren't that great in general anyways. If you're over 60, hefty in weight, and love red meat, you're in more trouble than that. But no one is telling you to give up your steaks or get younger.
And referencing you motorcycle comment. I am a daily motorcycle rider and have been for two years now. I'm not dead yet, but I know that in the blink of an eye my life could be gone. I've accepted that, as you and the rest of us have accepted snus. I'm far more likely to die in a fender bender with a soccer mom on her cell than from snus. But I love riding and I love snusing, and I'm not quitting either anytime soon.
Sorry to ramble, but you get my meaning. Enjoy your life while you have it, and hope that there is snus in the afterlife.

[exexpat]

Acceptable Risk

Snus is an acceptable risk.

I can put down and stop Snus. I could not do that with cigarettes.

I am very slowly regaining lung function, probably will not ever get back to normal because of cigarettes.

Snus is basically harmless in comparison.