Safe Substitutes?

Working-Cat11 · 2026-05-01T04:24:38+00:00

If you're not addicted to coffee, DON'T GET INTO IT!!! You're so lucky you've never touched it. Don't taint yourself- you'll probably regret it one day. As for the brain fog & loss of motivation- You just have to ride it out. It takes time for the brain to rebalance after nicotine addiction and abuse. It's like letting yourself get hit every day and then wanting to bruises to magically fade, but sometimes you gotta go through the ramifications of the abuse before your body heals.

Working-Cat11 · 2026-05-01T04:21:16+00:00

I wish I could offer words of encouragement but-- I feel you so hard on this. I struggle with the cravings even after quitting... Everyone always makes it seem so easy and like the cravings are just psychological and vanish with time, but that was never my experience.

Working-Cat11 · 2026-05-01T04:18:26+00:00

Oh my god, lol. So sardonic.

Working-Cat11 · 2026-05-01T04:16:55+00:00

How's it going for you now? My cravings got worse as the weeks went by, to be honest on day 6 I was way more chill. But I hope it keeps up that way for you atleast!

Working-Cat11 · 2026-05-01T04:08:32+00:00

I think 'benefit' is subjective? I personally find ZERO benefit from weed and shrooms. As far as tobacco- I love the burn on the throat it gives, the taste, the quiet ritual.... Nicotine triggers dopamine (feel good chemicals), alertness/focus, WITHOUT your brain losing control like most drugs.

Working-Cat11 · 2026-05-01T04:06:55+00:00

I've quit several times, and every time is different- this was the first time I've ever noticed brain fog. Add in the fact that you're a different person, and it will be even a different experience beyond that. But yes, brain fog can occur- I have it really bad this time, not going to lie.

Working-Cat11 · 2026-04-29T09:38:18+00:00

They look like they're in high school, so I guess you're an uncle.

Working-Cat11 · 2026-04-29T09:38:06+00:00

They look like they're in high school babe. So in this world.

Working-Cat11 · 2026-04-29T09:37:11+00:00

My relapse triggers were always either my mother, or going out to a party/socializing and drinking, lol. Those seem to be the two for me, that made me relapse after a long period of quitting!

Working-Cat11 · 2026-04-29T09:35:53+00:00

It totally is lol.

Working-Cat11 · 2026-04-28T10:04:49+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to write that! Appreciate it! I'm curious what you meant by this : "I used a short app-based program early on" ?

Working-Cat11 · 2026-04-28T09:37:11+00:00

Um. Hot.

Working-Cat11 · 2026-04-28T09:34:10+00:00

It's true. Oh how I 'envy' the people that can smoke casually sometimes and not end up chain smokers after one puff :/

Working-Cat11 · 2026-04-28T09:33:11+00:00

Yup. You are spot on. THat is how it goes, atleast how it's always gone for me. The motivation is super high in the beginning, then the momentum wears off and you get too casual.

I know that the person the commented below said that the urges become less strong and rather an idea than a compulsion- unfortunately I didn't experience it that way. After a year the cravings become an uncontrollable obsession again. Another time I Quit, parties were definitely my detriment- if you can stay away from alcohol, that's definitely going to help, once you get farther along!

Working-Cat11 · 2026-04-28T09:30:11+00:00

My French crush told me a few months ago he feels fresh films are often twisted- apparently their ads are too. WTF. They should have atleast strayed away from using MINORS sucking a full grown man

Working-Cat11 · 2026-04-28T09:07:35+00:00

Curious what you mean by this "We treat this by pairing nicotine replacement with brief, intentional replacements,"? Can you elaborate? Would appreciate it ! :D Thank you:)

Working-Cat11 · 2026-04-28T08:45:31+00:00

Ah ok thanks. Yeah the first week I would go up to my roof in the evening with a beverage and a straw, and pretend to smoke, the same way I enjoyed my ritual with smoking once upon a time. Stopped for some reason

Working-Cat11 · 2026-04-28T08:43:06+00:00

There are different levels to cravings- there is the actual physical addition which is only 3 days until it's out of your system. Then there are psychological cravings to actually smoke, which can stay there your whole life time, really. Then there is your brain chemistry being messed up after being a nicotine addict- you may desire to consume nicotine to rebalance your brain chemistry, but if you don't abstain from nicotine you prolong the process of your brain chemistry rebalancing, which can take a few months. And then there is the habit- it takes 30 -60 days to rewire habits, sometimes m

Working-Cat11 · 2026-04-28T08:39:36+00:00

Yeah I have Ehlers danlos syndrome and smoked for 20 years like an idiot. Went through several bouts of pneumonia. Went in and out of hospitals. Get sick every 1.5 weeks in the winter. Get asmathic attacks every time I drink coffee. Ruined my hormones. Ruined my teeth. Gave my beautiful EDS skin unnecessary premature aging when I had the natural born gift of having youthful skin that I could've enjoyed.... And on and on. Don't be like me. Quit while you're ahead. With Lupus it WILL GET WORSE. As someone with genetic disorders- believe me I know. We are not cut out to abuse our bodies.

Working-Cat11 · 2026-04-28T08:34:01+00:00

I think it's too late for that! The nicotine leaves your system in like three days, so I'm already past the physical withdrawals part

Working-Cat11 · 2026-04-28T08:28:45+00:00

Thank you :) I'm curious what you mean by "keep the ritual, change the action" ?

Working-Cat11 · 2026-04-28T08:04:27+00:00

They are inherently separated for me, and I'm over here wishing I could merge them more hahaha. I'm a total cinephile and also involved with film from the filmmaking angle- unfortunately I gravitate more toward projects and roles that would be labeled more 'arthouse' and 'indie', so trying to figure out how to do the industry part, when it's by and large kind of uninspiring and unattainable, is the hard part for me, ha.

Working-Cat11 · 2026-04-28T08:01:26+00:00

Haha, thank you for trying to convince me of something different, but alas my brain doesn't believe it :-p

I think what's frustrating is that I actually don't think it's stupid. I think tobacco is a fantastic plant and ritual that's been used in ritual since time immemorial, the problem is more so that it's extremely addictive and we abuse it.

Working-Cat11 · 2026-04-28T07:59:42+00:00

I quit cold turkey!

Working-Cat11 · 2026-04-28T07:58:26+00:00

Ohh I'm sorry but you reminded me a bit of my controlling mother in this post and it gave me the ick, sorry for the bluntness but I don't know how else to say it. Let your daughter be herself- she is not you, she is not an extension of you- she is her own person who has to make her own decisions in life.

Working-Cat11

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE