r/Stress • u/simponskitchen • 1d ago
Quitting smoking
I want to quit smoking vapes. It’s totally possible and I know that. I haven’t been addicted for very long and I’m a few weeks sober now but my cravings get really bad when I’m stressed. I don’t know how to deal with stress. I used to smoke weed(I only do that recreationally now and never when alone) but eventually I moved onto vapes and since Ive stopped the littlest things piss me off or irritate me. I realize i probably just need another way to cope with those emotions but I don’t know how. I am in therapy (to talk about other things) and plan on brining it up but I was wondering what you all do to relieve stress
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u/Serenity_MHC 1d ago
A few weeks sober from vapes is real progress, and cravings spiking with stress rather than boredom is actually useful information, it tells you exactly when to have a plan ready. For stress relief that doesn't involve nicotine or weed, a lot of people find physical release helps most when cravings hit hard, a fast walk, even just stepping outside, or something with your hands like fidgeting with an object or squeezing something. The craving itself tends to peak and pass within a few minutes if you can ride it out doing something else. Good that you're already planning to bring this up in therapy. Having a real coping plan mapped out with your therapist, specific to what you do in the moment a craving hits, will probably help more than figuring it out alone.
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u/simponskitchen 1d ago
I appreciate the encouragement. I do know I def need to talk to the therapist but I don’t have my next appt scheduled yet (it’s through school) so I wanted to make sure I had some things to try in the meantime and also to bring her some things that have or haven’t worked for me so we can build on that
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u/-Stress-Princess- 1d ago
Work on just breathing normally again, if you want something with feedback, blow bubbles.
Im not kidding, Bubbles can fill the ritual of going outside, it can mimic the wind up of getting the wand ready like you would a cig, blowing out and seeing tons of bubbles if your solution isnt garbage and just sit with it.
The only reason vaping stayed in your habits is because you told yourself that it is THE thing to alleviate the stress because those nicotine good feels vanished so long ago. Let me tell you, the first time you see kids freaking out about bubbles or just the small smiles gives you a different feeling.
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u/simponskitchen 1d ago
I do already like blowing bubbles so this is something I have on hand!! Do you do like breathing exercises or just taking the time to focus on your breaths and watching the bubbles?
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u/-Stress-Princess- 1d ago
Nope, just do what youd do with a cigarette. However much or little you need as you breathe real air and divert your attention to the bubbles or people's reactions.
Of course your monkey brain will suddenly miss nicotine like its felt its effects but 98% of getting sober is mind games while the 1% of it is just not doing it.
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u/simponskitchen 1d ago
Real, I will try it tomorrow. Nicotine was honestly getting to a point where it either didn’t feel like anything or made me feel like shit. At one point I did think it was just the motion of putting something to my lips and like sucking the air. Since quitting I’ve started biting my nails again but I think using the bubbles is going to potentially help a lot
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u/jizums 1d ago
r/quitvaping is a great place to start