After 15 years of nicotine use I can finally say that I’ve lost all cravings for the chemical. I quit regular use about 1.5-2 years ago but I’ve been an occasional user since (like the typical “only when I drink” guy). This evening it dawned on me that I haven’t had any desire for nicotine whatsoever in weeks, it is an amazing feeling..
The point of this anecdote is to tell some of the younger guys we have on this board that addiction is gay as fuck and sucks, but you can beat it through sheer willpower. Don’t let yourself become a slave to some chemical or other artificial happiness, as so many of us have done before. I smoked weed daily all throughout college and dabbled in some other substances as well, quit all of them cold turkey.
Nicotine has always been pushed onto teenagers. First it was cigarettes, then vapes, now Zyn. Don’t get involved, it does not improve your life in any way. All it does is make people who have already gotten hooked on it crave it constantly. If you never use it you won’t be missing out on anything.
Now, imagine that you no longer use that path. Slowly, the prairie grows until it is no longer visible - hidden by beautiful grasses. You are in recovery from your addiction.
But, remember, the ruts are still there. The ruts don't go away.
Thus, if you start using your substance again, your return to your old levels of using happens very quickly, because the ruts remain.
Addiction is like that ability to ride a bicycle - even after years of not pedaling a bike, it's an amazing thing that we can simply just pedal off like we never took a break from it.
For those struggling, getting out of the ruts is totally worth it.