Third try at quitting might be up to snuff

During my sophoMore year at Ball State in 1984, I started chewing Skoal Longcut Apple. A friend of mine was already chewing -- it was a guy thing, a stupid thing. I went through a tin a week, the equivalent of about a half-pack of Cigarettes. Over the years, I've chewed tobacco as a stress-reliever and a way to occupy time, particularly on the 1-hour, 15-minute drive to and from work in Indianapolis. While the addiction is the same as with smoking Cigarettes, the nicotine is being absorbed through your gums and lips. But unlike smoking, it's not something most people recognize or see you do. Even though it isn't directly affecting anybody but me, it could affect my entire family if I get throat or mouth cancer. I have tried to quit chewing tobacco twice in the past -- once for 11 months about 11 years ago and another time for eight months nine years ago. Last year was try No. 3. It was pretty difficult to stop. Under Clarian's Call to Change health program started last year, you have to be tobacco-free for six months to get the $5 pay incentive every two weeks. It gave me the extra nudge to make the decision. My wife wanted me to quit; my daughter wanted me to quit. So, about a year ago, I did. I had a little slip around a month ago when I took a lipful. I was going through some long hours at work and dealing with pain caused by a frozen shoulder and a torn biceps. But I'm on the wagon again. To quit, you have to figure out some way to make your mind focus on other things. In the car, I'll chew gum. No matter how far you get away from it, you have to pay attention all the time and tell yourself, "Don't go there, keep going." Something else that has helped me is writing a blog about my progress on Clarian's home page for employees. It's almost like you feel you're letting other people down if you screw up -- they're kind of like my conscience. It's been about a year, but one thing I'm learning is the addiction will always be there. There has to be a realization this is almost like a drinking battle. I have to be careful because I could fall off anytime. I'm hoping that I will kick it forever.