u/kae333

hey!

this is my 1st post so sorry if i ramble a bit.

my situation:
i’ve been using vapes for about 5/6 years now, started when i was 16/17.
i never had any plans on quitting. but, only the last 6 months i have been thinking it. not for any health reasons but for financial reasons.
every vape costs up to $100/$110, any time i find a shop that sells it gets raided, its almost impossible to find. it’s a headache.
i’m afraid of when i can no longer find a store that sells. and i’ll have to go cold turkey not on my own terms.
so, i’ve been thinking of quitting.

except, i am absolutely terrified of quitting. the withdrawal process seems horrendous.
i’ve had withdrawals before for something else, and it was one of the worst things i’ve experienced. and, with that one, i didn’t even know my body and brain was addicted to it.
so i’m fearful of what i know i’m addicted to, and what stopping it will look like, feel like.

i use vaping as almost an anxiety relief. it helps me calm down, take a break. i’m CONSTANTLY hitting it. and if it’s been 2 or 3 hours without a hit, i already get agitated.

throughout my years of being a user, the longest i’ve gone without a vape was maybe 18 or so hours. and i was NOT okay.

i have always genuinely thought i’d have to go back to the psych ward if i were to quit. but due to financial issues, my health care no longer covers my usual psychiatric ward. so i feel like i have nowhere safe to go. i don’t think i could do it alone.. i’d believe id need medical help. not just for the withdrawals, but for my mental health too. because i know my brain would NOT like it.

but, yeah. i’m so scared of quitting.
but thinking about the money i’d save— i’d be rich!
and no longer having to worry about where to buy it.

but it’s not just quitting the everyday vape, it’s also about when i’m feeling anxious, stressed, depressed, angry, wanting to not be breathing. those times i would struggle the hardest. as well as going out, drunk. i’d want it then too.

ugh, it’s all so hard. maybe it’s too hard of a challenge for me… idk.

but pretty much i’m asking is, please tell me everything you’ve done or do that’s helped you not only quit but stay off completely. even when you want it again.
tell me what you used— products, tools.
the psychological aspect of it— what helped you.
anything!

thanks for reading this! and i would love if you could give me some advice on how to tackle this.

my worst ever mistake was picking up that vape for the first time.
please help me change that. ❤️‍🩹