r/QuitVaping

I used to think cravings were just this massive uncontrollable thing that just took over my entire body. turns out I was completely wrong and that’s why i kept failing.

a craving is basically just a wave. it peaks after about 3 minutes and then drops on its own. every single time. the problem is nobody tells you that, so you think it’s just gonna get worse and worse until you finally give in and relapse.

These are some things that helped when cravings hit:

1. get your breathing under control:
2. move your body:
3. cravings are heavily tied to where you are. just standing up and going to a different room can break the trigger
4. cold water: drink a full glass slowly. gives your hands and mouth something to do

after i understood cravings i also build an app, designed to control my cravings, instead of them controlling me. it walks you through it in real time. that combo of understanding + having a tool in my pocket is what finally got me to 3 months clean

If anyone is interested in checking out the app here is the link :https://apps.apple.com/app/id6762000532

what’s your biggest trigger? mine was always after eating 😅

deeply unsettled by what happened to me today, and I need to put this warning out there so no one else inadvertently does what I just did.

​To give you some context, I’ve recently crossed a massive personal milestone. I used to weigh 130 kg, and through a lot of hard work, I managed to shed nearly 60 kg. I’m down to 73 kg, completely healthy, and my body has been running like a racehorse. One of the greatest rewards of that journey was that my severe, painful gout disappeared completely. I finally felt clean and clear.

​The last hurdle was my nicotine habit. I’ve been trying to quit high-strength 50mg snus pouches. I tried the lozenges, the gums—the standard NRT route—and nothing worked. So, I walked into a shop and bought a standard, highly popular vape device. These things are widely available on every corner, and they're marketed as a normal alternative.

​Because my nicotine tolerance from the pouches is so high, I just vaped naturally to manage the cravings, taking consecutive puffs to offset the withdrawal. I went to sleep shortly after, completely unaware of what was happening inside the device or my own body.

​I woke up to a reality that has completely shaken me. I haven't just "felt sick" or caught a bad buzz—the reality is, I have poisoned myself.

​I woke up in a severe mental stupor. It’s a heavy, dazed chemical fog over my brain that I cannot shake, accompanied by a persistent, acrid "burnt toast" taste that won't leave my mouth no matter what I do. But the moment that truly broke me was trying to stand up. A sudden, intense, throbbing pain flared in my foot. It felt exactly like the severe gout attacks I thought I had left behind forever. Looking down at my foot and feeling that familiar pain after working so hard to get clean is a heavy burden to carry today.

​It was only after stopping to study the situation, combining community data with my own background in pathology, that the realization of what went wrong finally clicked.

​There are absolutely no warnings on the packaging of these standard commercial vapes about the physics of how they work. It doesn't tell you about capillary action, or the fact that the liquid needs time to saturate the cotton wick between hits. Because I was taking consecutive puffs, I was unknowingly drying out the internal mechanism. The liquid couldn't keep up, the metal coil overheated, and I ended up pyrolyzing—actually burning—the cotton wick. Instead of clean vapor, I was directly inhaling the thermal decomposition products of scorched cotton and stressed metal.

​Looking at the science, the pathology of my symptoms makes perfect sense. Inhaling the specific carbonyl toxins from that burnt cotton—things like acrolein and formaldehyde—induced acute chemical stress and secondary hypoxia. It triggered a severe, localized sympathetic vasospasm, slamming the blood vessels in my extremities shut. This restriction of peripheral circulation caused acute ischemia, mimicking the exact, fiery agony of a gout flare.

​Worse still is the lurking variable of heavy metal toxicity. When a commercial coil runs dry like that, it reaches extreme temperatures where the metal alloy itself degrades. I have to face the distinct possibility that I have inhaled aerosolized micro-particles of chromium, nickel, or iron directly into my lungs.

​There is a terrifying uncertainty here. I don't know how much damage I have actually done to my system, or if some of this might be lifelong—especially if I can't find a way to step away from this device safely and allow my kidneys and liver to clear the toxic load.

​The fact that a standard, popular product can easily cause this level of systemic injury without a single protocol printed on the box is terrifying. If you are using these devices, please know that you cannot chain-puff them. You have to give the wick 20 to 30 seconds to breathe. If you don't, you aren't vaping—you are actively poisoning your system with burnt industrial materials and heavy metals. Respect the device, because the setback is real, and the anxiety of what comes next is something I wouldn't wish on anyone.

Basically the title. I've been vaping for about three years now. I used to smoke cigarettes but I ended up working at a vaping shop and well I got addicted to that. I switched from smoking cigarettes because it seemed like the logical thing to do at that time.

I have a previous history of inflammation / autoimmune disorder that wreaks havoc on my skin if I am not careful. I fear vaping has made it worse! The only thing left do is to abstain to see if it really is the cause of my skin rash and it flaring up randomly.

From what I research yes I may very well be allergic to the heavy metals, the flavorings, and any of the stuff really in them including nicotine of course and quite frankly I do not have the insurance or time and money to figure out through testing (I am in USA).

So I'm setting a time for myself. 8am, I'm removing vaping from my home so I can't just reach for it when I crash.

Three years ago I quit hard drugs, drinking, and smoking cigarettes. I am an alcoholic. So I really think I can, I am just super nervous because this feels so different.

I have a plan that when I crave it, I will make myself do something healthy instead like drinking lime water, or maybe I can make a list of all the things I really ought to get caught up on, and do that anytime I have a craving while I am home?

Has anyone experienced allergic reactions from vaping and that was their catalyst to quit?

P.S : Yes when I restricted vaping before, my skin seemed to be less inflamed. Also yes, I have been to a dermatologist and I am auto-immune, it manifests as Psoriasis. Of which I was in remission until the time around I started vaping.

After 10 years of cigs and vapes I finally decided to call it quits bc it was destroying my health. I’m on 72 hours and just wanted to say it’s not as bad as I made my self think it was going to be. I’ve been lightheaded alot with some anxiety but it’s manageable. Anyone thinking about quitting as well just go for it!! You got nothing to lose but everything to gain.

I wish someone had written this when I was in the thick of it.

I started vaping in 2006. Back when it felt like the “smart” alternative. By 2023 I was doing 50mg pods like they were water. I tried patches, gum, Chantix (which gave me the most vivid nightmares of my life), and cold turkey more times than I can count. The longest I ever made it was 11 days before a stressful work call sent me straight back to the gas station.

Here’s what I actually learned after years of failing:

1. Craving windows are shorter than you think.
   A craving peaks at about 3–5 minutes and then drops. The problem is that 3 minutes feels like 30 when you’re white-knuckling it with nothing to do. If you can get through that window — even with something dumb like a breathing exercise or going for a short walk — the craving loses. Every time.

2. Your “reasons” need to be emotional, not logical.
   “It’s bad for my lungs” never stopped me. What stopped me was picturing my kid asking me why I always had to step outside. Logic doesn’t win against addiction. Emotion does.

3. The first 72 hours are neurological warfare, not weakness.
   Nicotine clears your bloodstream in about 72 hours. After that, what you’re fighting is habit and psychological association — not physical dependency. Knowing that made me feel less broken.

4. You need a panic button.
   Not metaphorically. Literally something you can hit in the moment of a craving that gives you a tool, not just willpower. This was the missing piece for me for years.

What finally got me to 4 months clean was combining the breathing window trick with an app called Crave AI. I was skeptical because I’d tried quit apps before and they’re usually just streak counters. This one felt different — it has an actual panic button built in for when the craving hits, tracks your progress in a way that makes you not want to throw it away, and doesn’t feel clinical or preachy.

I’m not affiliated with them. I just genuinely think it’s the best tool I’ve found for the in-the-moment stuff, which is where I always failed before.

If you’re on day 1 right now — it gets so much quieter in your head by week 2. I promise.

Happy to answer any questions.

Today I am 99 days no vape (juul), after vaping for almost 10 years. I started as a teenager without fully understanding the addictive nature of nicotine, and very quickly adopted it into my daily routines. I think I quit once or twice early on for a few months, but not long enough to stick with it or even remember.

In the later years I always pushed off the idea of quitting, telling myself that I would “eventually” or “one day,”- basically always finding an excuse for not right now. I finally decided to quit back in February after frequent bouts of sore throats and colds, along with occasional periods of chest pain, tightness and shortness of breath. I wondered if stopping would help me get better, (surely it did), and after a few days without it I decided it was now or never, and I haven’t touched it since. I still can’t really believe it.

While all of my friends and loved ones tell me how they’re happy for me and how I should feel proud for being so strong, I’ve found this process to be much more confusing and unexpected than I anticipated. I of course experienced cravings and mood swings in the beginning, even increased anxiety and depression. My appetite returned, I enjoy food more (with an unwanted increase of about 10 lbs), any chest pain or anxiety surrounding the status of my health due to vaping is gone. But 99, almost 100 days in, I’ve found myself missing it more than ever recently- not necessarily in a craving way, but in a sad, nostalgic way. I catch myself trying to rationalize why it would be okay for me to dabble in it again, to use it for only certain occasions like going out. I know that it’s just the addiction, and I know that if I were to start again I would be erasing all of the hard work I put myself through. So why do I not feel good about stopping?! It sounds crazy, but I constantly feel almost annoyed with myself in a sense that I’m not letting myself do something I want to do. I often have the thought “how come all the other 20somethings get to do it? Shouldn’t I be allowed to do it since I’m young and should be enjoying my life?”

I know it’s probably because of how ingrained it was in my daily life, but it still feels like I have to fight with myself every day, convincing myself that I don’t need it to live my life. I don’t want to be addicted, I enjoy the benefits of saving my money and being able to breathe. I acknowledge the fact that I’ve shown myself I can do a very hard thing- so why do I barely care?! Will I always miss it, in a sad, nostalgic way? How long do I have to make it before I truly don’t think about it?

Hey all. I (28F) have been vaping pretty heavily for the last couple of years. I need to quit, I know I do. I want to so badly. I know everyone is different but has anyone tried to gradually taper their usage before quitting? I think I want to reduce my intake over the next few days, I have the biggest exam of my life in 6 days and I’m worried if I quit cold turkey the withdrawal symptoms will impact my studying and testing. Any thoughts or advice on quitting during a stressful time like this?

Looking to take the plunge. Desmoxan on Amazon seems to take almost a month to be delivered, Recigar can be delivered in 2 weeks. They both have the same active ingredient cytisinum with the same effect correct?

I know this has probably been asked a million times but nothing seems to work for me. I’ve been smoking cigarettes since I was 14 and started vaping when I was 18 (I’m 26f) while still smoking cigarettes until I completely switched from cigarettes to vaping in 2024. I stopped cigarettes cold turkey but that was because I switched to vaping. I just found out I might be pregnant (took 2 tests but haven’t dr confirmed yet until next week) so I really need to stop but I’m so stuck on the “hand to mouth” fixation since I’ve been doing it for over 12 years and before my brain was fully developed. I’m prepared to stop but the hand to mouth problem is a major issue for me. I’m constantly surrounded by “vapers” which makes things harder for me. I would really appreciate any tips or tricks to instantly stop vaping. Thank you for your time and your help :)

I was one of those people who would vape 24/7. If I was awake, I was taking a hit every couple minutes. I realised something needed to change when I got home from work and had a panic attack from just how short of breath I felt. I quit cold turkey that morning.

The first day is easy, you’ll have some tricky days in that first week but the positives are so immediate that I never want to go back.

I feel more energised, easier to wake up, easier to sleep, happier and more positive about my future now that I don’t have to worry about what this shit is doing to my body. I look at people vaping on the street and just feel pity. How are we doing this to ourselves ??

Quitting feels so much better than I had thought it would.

Edit: I really want to emphasise just how important it is to quit. I train people in proper safe handling and there’s a quote I always use. “You won’t notice you’ve hurt yourself until it’s too late”. Do you want to quit sooner or be the one who finally quits once the damage is done ?

I recently picked up vaping again and man does it make me lazy. Before I picked it back up, I would wake up refreshed, I was more productive at work, I was so much more eager to build new hobbies and skills. But when I vape, it just turns me into a sloth. I’m just chain smoking and doom scrolling.

What sucks is that I want to do things, but I can’t because the vaping has drained all my energy. It’s a poison but more than anything, it’s lazy serum. I can’t allow myself to live out a lazy lifestyle. That’s just depressing.

hi all, i had made a post in here a few months back about wanting to quit following getting engaged. i’m 26 and have been vaping since im 17, i have never even tried to quit bc it has me so hooked. in january i ordered jones mints and the day i got them i tried a 4mg one, didnt even finish the entire thing and had one of the worst panic attacks later that day that lead me to be an anxious and emotional wreck for a full month following.. it sent me back years in regards to the progression ive made w my anxiety/depression. im still recovering from that episode and am sober off of everything except this fuck ass vape … i started juuling in high school, then switched to disposables, then refillable with 50mg juice, now i’ve been on 24mg for a while. i’m writing this bc i need some inspo.. how do i go about this without spiraling??? i’m so terrified at the thought of feeling as anxious and depressed as i was during that month. i’m trying to look at my future and use it as my motivation being that i want to live a long life with my soon to be hubby and have kids in the few years following our wedding. it is truly sickening i wish i could go back in time and knock some sense into 17 year old me. any help/recs would be appreciated :)

Hi all. I’m currently trying to quit vaping. It’s been dropped on me to quit 4 weeks before surgery. I will be nicotine tested via a urine sample. Has anyone got any similar experience & advice please.

Posting this to hold myself accountable, mainly. But I’m also looking for advice.

I smoked from age 13-25 and quit this past year. I turned 26 yesterday. But I’ve been vaping for 3 years now. Today I threw them away because I’m on vacation in a state with no vapes and I don’t have a car so I’d have to find a way to get to another state if I wanted to buy one. I figured this was good timing. I’ll be here for 3 weeks before returning home. I haven’t had zero nicotine in my body since I was 13, I don’t know what’s next for me!

Does anyone have any advice specifically for those who are decade/s long smokers or vapers?

I’m hoping my first couple of weeks aren’t too hard on me. I don’t want to be someone who poisons myself anymore.

*Editing to add: I’ve quit worse things in the past and for me personally, quitting cold turkey is what works best. I can’t be near the thing or anything like that. I can’t do a zero nicotine vape because my brain will just think, what’s the point of zero nicotine vaping I should just buy a vape vape. I was hoping for suggestions on how to stay positive and occupy yourself :)

I’ve been vaping since I was 18, and I’m 26 now. I’ve “quit” a few times, whether it be for a week or a few months, but never completely. I’m currently sitting in bed and haven’t slept at all since last night because I have the most minor runny nose ever and it’s making my shortness of breath extremely annoying. I’ve wanted to quit for a long time, and have of course known I was going to need to before it was too late, but now I’m at the point where I’m frankly pissed off. I just want to sleep and thanks to this addiction I can’t, and it completely controls my life. I have literally been fired from a job before for vaping, I spend WAY too much money on them, and they don’t provide a single positive thing to me, obviously. I continuously tell myself I’m going to quit, but after a day or a few hours my addicted mind says “oh it’s fine now you took a break so now you feel better, that means nothing bad will happen”. Now I’m beyond all of that, I’m actually mad. I’ve let these stupid little vaper boxes control me for 8 years. Even as I’m typing this, I’m thinking to myself “maybe I can buy one more and it’ll be my last one”. I already know this is going to be the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but I swear on my life I am so fucking done I will never as much as touch another vape for as long as I live. I refuse to end up lying in a hospital bed with lung cancer wishing that I had quit sooner.

Well…I quit for about a month in January, relapsed mid February.
Spent a lot on patches, nicotine gum, and mints and i still couldn’t get over the craving. Picked it back up one day when i got into a heated argument with my fiance regarding our wedding.

Is there a supplement or anything i can take to help?

I am planning to bring it up to my therapist tonight. I have never told anyone about this so i am nervous but i need help

I have ADHD and struggle with anxiety & depression which the vape isn’t helping but i know is a factor in my addiction.

I have reasons for quitting including getting married, my overall health, and the embarrassment of being the only person i hang out with who vapes. But at the same time, i don’t really care and am just like f*ck it - i enjoy it.

Going on vacation in a few weeks to Hawaii with my soon to be in laws (they are part of the reason for my relapse, i know i shouldn’t blame anyone but myself) They don’t know I vape and i can’t wear a patch with a bikini but also can’t take the stick with me.

Also, they no longer sell flavored disposables in my state.

Hi friends, I was once a member of this group and now I’m back. I left because I didnt even consider myself a vaper anymore. It’s been a long almost 2 years that I have been vape free. You guys were my biggest supporters.

My life is in shambles at the moment. I’m having constant panic attacks, my depression is severely bad. I’m shaking constantly from anxiety and I just need some words of encouragement.

Vaping the only thing I can think of that moment. I’m craving the high so bad. I just keep thinking one hit will relieve all of this pain I’m feeling inside my body. Please help. I don’t want to seem weak, but I’m not very emotionally and mentally stable at the moment and I know it’s clouding my judgement.

No more chest pains, resting heart rate is down from 65-70 to 59-62, blood pressure is down to normal level, no more excessive sweating, no more circulation issues in fingers and feet. Skin feels warm and kinda flushed but not warm to the touch, my sense of touch feels different and kinda enhanced.

Bad effect is that my sleep is a bit weird, not able to sleep through the night and i usually sleep so well, hopefully that fixes itself in the next week or so.

Cravings are actually minimal, i didnt have a particularly strong reason to quit, the chest pains were freaking me out for a couple days, though they seemed to go away and then i ran out of pods and just thought u know what, i dont want to do this anymore.

When I recently went cold turkey for 3 days, the withdrawal wasn’t even that bad. It is totally doable to quit. One part of me knew deep down its not that bad and I am just being a spoilt brat wanting my fix, but the other part is my addiction telling me that its the worst thing in the world. I know truly that it isn’t that bad to be in withdrawal. It is quite literally an angel and devil on my shoulder. Does anyone else feel this?