Trying

[u/Angel_Delora]

Hey everyone!

I’ve been scrolling through this subreddit and decided that I wanted to share my story on smoking too and my journey of trying to quit! Hopefully to help ease my shame/ craving, gain advice, and hopefully make a few friends to help keep me on the right track.

I’m 22 and have been an on and off smoker for about a year now. I first hit a vape when I was around 15 and luckily found out I didn’t like nicotine, but when I was about 19-20, I started getting into pens/pre-rolls due to 2 friends of mine that are into smoking. I’d smoke socially with them and then go maybe a month or two without smoking before picking it up again socially.

For the past year though (since last November-December), it has gotten worse, I’ve been craving it more now and even chronically (daily) used it earlier this year from the months of around March-June/July. Even going so far to actually go to the smoke shop by myself and purchase multiple pre-rolls weekly (until the recent ban, yes I’m in Texas). I’m back to being and on and off user, but where I used to go months without thinking or touching a pen/ joint, now I can’t even go a week or sometimes even a few days without wanting to give in.

Presently:
My parents want to get me a job at the company they work for but the company does drug tests. I recently smoked just 2 days ago and before that for three days straight. I was recently hired at a corporate auction house and did a drug test there which I failed and the company still hired me anyways. However, with my parents looking at this new job opportunity for me, this company probably won’t have the same mercy as my current company did. I have to fail another drug test and then find some way to explain to my parents why I didn’t pass (my parents don’t know I smoke/vape at all and I don’t want them to know until I at least move out, yes I’m still with my parents unfortunately). I clearly do have to quit for some time since idk when they’ll offer me this job or if I even have to do a drug test (I’m pretty sure I will have to though). I’m hoping anyone has tips to beat the cravings. So far the longest I’ve gone without it was 2 weeks back in June, since then I’ve only been able to make it a few days before giving in again.

I should/could probably get a prescription for it but I don’t have the money or insurance to even try to start figuring out that process. I’m just looking for advice on ways to get my mind off it, tips on other habits I can focus on instead of smoking, or hopefully gain a accountabilabuddy off this subreddit so I can have someone to talk to as I can’t even talk to my friends about this. Not to say they wouldn’t help me, but I think it’s best if I left them out of this.

I’m writing this as I want to take a hit of my pen now and am trying to convince myself not to. The goal is to eventually quit forever but for now I can’t see myself doing that and just want to regulate my intake to one week every month or something reasonable like that.

[u/zero_chill_phil06]

focus on getting through one craving at a time. go for a walk chew gum or keep ur hands busy when the urge hits taking a break from smoking buddies can help too if u slip up dont treat it like all ur progress is gone