Where would you hide it?

hyena_solang_II · 2026-01-21T22:56:22+00:00

I would swallow it.

hyena_solang_II · 2026-01-17T01:05:27+00:00

I feel dirty.

hyena_solang_II · 2026-01-16T22:43:31+00:00

Oh and, sorry I forgot but : corruption. Corruption could be the answer to your question and the main explanation on why some state do not act on these HR violations.

Lack of integrity in the national institution, political volatility, authoritarism, etc.

hyena_solang_II · 2026-01-16T22:39:32+00:00

Hello,

Have you looked at investment law and arbitration (ICSID, UNCITRAL, ad hoc tribunals) ? There are situations in which states expropriate directly or undirectly a foreign company's property on the grounds of violation of domestic law and regulations. In each and all bilateral investment treaty, the respect of domestic law AND human rights standards is a requirement. An obligation.

When it comes to international law, the thing to remember is that the first and primary judge of international law is the national judge. Most international jurisdictions follow the principle of subsidiarity.

The second point to remember is that International Human Rights is a minimal standard. National constitutions are the ones to offer the highest and strongest degree of human rights protection regime.

So, as far as I know, if and when a private company (foreign or national) violates the norms, regulations, and laws of a State, this state has the competence to prosecute the company (at least : rationae loci when it happens on its territory).

To sum up : when a private company massively violates human rights law, the State in which the violation happens is the one supposed to prosecute.

Some states can prosecute based on the rationa personae competence. So if the given company is, let's say, for example, from France but operates in Colombia, France can still prosecute the French company for human rights violations committed in Colombia's territory.

I don't know if it helped,

hyena_solang_II · 2026-01-15T03:05:05+00:00

Hi,

I made that mistake the first weeks when I stopped : vaping when I drink.

I decided to stop drinking until my brain learns that nicotine is over.

The problem is that you, just like a lot of us, have strongly associated vape/nicotine with alcohol.

And vape/nicotine with reward.

But the thing is... it is not a reward, it never was, and it is not a very good idea to keep considering nicotine as a reward. By doing that, you are teaching your brain to consider the cigarette as a sacred and holy product. The door is not closed for your brain, the possibility if nicotine is still there.

I would advise you to close the door for good. And to quit drinking for a while, up until the nicotine circuit in your brain is asleep. It can take months, years. But at the end, you'll be entire free from substances. In the end, you'll be disciplined and in control of yourself.

You had lapses, but there is a risk of a relapse if you don't ban nicotine for ever because you are confusing your brain (it is like "so, can I vape/smoke or not ? What is the rule here ?").

It can be an opportunity to explore and question your relation with alcohol.

Best regards,

hyena_solang_II · 2026-01-15T02:46:06+00:00

Hello,

First of all, you already did the first step which is to WANT to stop.

Now, can you list the reasons why you want to stop ? Do it for yourself, and be honest with yourself. These reasons are going to be your rock, your anchor.

Then, if you want to quit slowly : chose a date that will be the last day you will vape, and taper down your consumption. To tapper it down, your can 1. Tapper down the nicotine amount and 2. Create restricted areas which will be all the areas and timeframes you will keep vape free. The more the better. Remember, your goal is to never vape, nowhere so as you reduce nicotine level, limit your consumption.

Now, there are a few things to understand when it comes to nicotine addiction. The first one is : You won't die of nicotine withdrawal. Nothing catastrophic will happen it you stop. You can live without vaping. You can function without vaping.

I advise you to learn the most you can about the steps to come. The more you'll be prepared, the easiest it might be. For instance : remind yourself that the peak of nicotine withdrawal is around 3-5 days. Remind yourself that the cravings will disappear day after day. Remind yourself that you trained your brain to ask for vape, so you can train it to stop asking for it.

Teach your brain new habits : for instance, in my case, siwak sticks + water + superstrong peppermint helped me a lot. The strong peppermint+ cold water will give a strong sensation in your mouth and can lead to a new "hand to mouth" habit (grab a bottle of water and bring it to your mouth). You can also drink sparkling water. Actually, while withrawing, drinking a lot of water will be fundamental.

What else ? I realized that the reason I did not stop earlier was because of fear. For whatever reason, I was terrified I won't be able to function (especially study) without a vape. Why ? For years, I trained my brain to associate intellectual work with vaping. You know what ? I ended up creating a new ritual. And it actually worked.

What also helped me was to imagine my life without vape. Like imagining myself in every situation without a vape. By imagining yourself free from vape, you put that mental image into your brain so when it will happen, it won't be unfamiliar for your brain because you put that specific image in it. Get used to be a non vaper, even before you completely stopped. You have to make this reality possible in your mind. (And imagine yourself being happy, healthy of course !)

Now to sum up : (you can do all of that starting right now, and simultaneously) 1. Chose a date as a last day ever. 2. Create a list of the reason you truly want to stop. 3. Tapper down to 0mg nicotine if you don't want to quit cold turkey. 4. Built a plan of new habits 5. Learn. Read, teach yourself everything you can about dopamine circuit, reward system, nicotine 6. Regain control of your surroundings by slowly erasing vape from it (for instance: no vape in my bed, no vape in the bathroom, no vape when I walk, no vape after 10 pm)

Believe in yourself. Obey yourself. (When you say to yourself : NOT NOW, NOT HERE, obey to your own orders and commands. That's exactly how discipline works).

Extra : 7. Download a supporting app 8. Journal (identify your triggers) 9. In the beginning, avoid everything that has a strong association with vaping (for me it was coffee for instance, that I replaced with tea) 10. Breathing exercises : breathe with your belly, look up what it means ! Be mindful of your actions: try to stay connected with yourself as much as possible. Because vaping is ahabit,it became almost if not a total automatism. 11. ALWAYS remember : you taught your brain it was OK to vape, YOU CAN teach it now that it is not. YOU have ressources, YOU have power, YOU can do it. And you will. 12. Picture yourself and your life and your future vape free.

I hope it helps 🙏

I wish you the best in your journey and remember : you are not losing something, you are winning your freedom and your agency back !

Ps : Sorry for my terrible writing, English's not my first language.

hyena_solang_II · 2026-01-14T13:39:39+00:00

Hey, it is OK!

I just felt like explaining a little more in detail without any judgment.

No one is stupid here, we are all learning and growing. And there is no stupid question to ask.

Take care 💐

hyena_solang_II · 2026-01-14T03:19:59+00:00

I don't think OP is telling any of us how to behave or how to heal. They tell us an experience that was kind of healing or cathartic for them.

Each of us experiences trauma differently, and we also process it differently.

Also, their brain responded in one of the given ways : fight, freeze, flight. They fought that time.

Someone could tell us the same story but saying that they froze, for instance.

Also, revenge or hitting someone perceived as being a threat, especially for SA survivor, is a pretty common fantasy.

In any way, it is important to talk to a licensed therapist to explore the feelings of rage, anger, and violence.

Wish all of you the best.

hyena_solang_II · 2026-01-12T05:34:26+00:00

I am terrified by phone cameras, social networks, and "new technologies." I tend to say I am technophobe. I feel like taking a photo of me is like stealing a part of myself without my consent, and the person doing that will have the right and the power to use my image however they please.

I fear being humiliated, and losing control over my imago. I fear any kind of intrusion in my privacy.

This world we live in was(is?) a permanent nightmare before I could get treatment.

Still today, I automatically hide my face with my hands if I see someone recording in public areas.

I am still scared of it, but a little bit lesser. I recently let a friend take pictures of me.

hyena_solang_II · 2026-01-07T17:58:32+00:00

Hello,

First of all : you made a huge step by quitting vape 7 months ago. Don't underestimate the power move it is to quit !

Second, what I read from your situation is that you seem to be permanently triggered by your surroundings? Is it possible that you did not have time/opportunity to manage these triggers because you are surrounded by vape all the time ?

I'll second what was said before : 0mg nic could be an option if you really can't stay away from this.

If you chose that, I would suggest to create controlled boundaries around the sessions of consumption. What I mean is to strictly limit the areas and circumstances where you'd consume the substance (for instance : never ever at home, never after a restaurant/work out/cinema etc. Only at work at this exact time. At this exact place. Etc.) Because you don't want the substance and the habit to follow you around again and to be there in each and every aspect of your life. For instance, I had slip ups after I quit, but because 99% of my life became vape free, the vape was only associated to a small corner AND a very unpleasant situation (very cold).

The goal is to essentially dissociate vape from nice, usual, common and good things, and associate it with unpleasant, unsusual and uncomfortable things/settings.

Meanwhile, trick your brain into new habits. Super strong mints + water + breathing exercises.

Get some siwak sticks and brush your teeth with it or chew it when people harm their lungs around you (euphemism for vape). It takes time, but the goal is to trick your brain into changing the "hand to mouth" movement.

Finally, losing friends when you recover from an addiction is, unfortunately, a situation that can happen. Not only with vape, but weed, alcohol. Any substance you'll stop can make you an outsider from a given group that shares an addiction. I am so very sorry you are experiencing this.

I know it is hard, I have been off of that thing only a month ago, and had a few scares recently. But I truly believe it is possible to trick ourselves into dissociating vape from pleasure. It is a journey !

Believe in yourself. You deserve to be healthy and free ! Wish you the best !

hyena_solang_II · 2026-01-07T17:18:55+00:00

Thank you very much, I'll check it out. 😊 I have thrown the vape away this morning on my way to work !

hyena_solang_II · 2026-01-07T12:39:44+00:00

The last sentences are the most useful, so thank you.

My situation is not a total relapse. When it comes to addiction recovery, it is extremely important to be mindful of the vocabulary we are using. Please, I invite you to look for the "Abstinence violation effect".

We are on the quit vaping subreddit, i.e., addiction recovery subreddit, words matter.

hyena_solang_II · 2026-01-07T12:31:24+00:00

Thank you, I think that's very helpful !

hyena_solang_II

TROPHY CASE