Confessions of a Young Vaper
Blog #3 Rewrite
By Melissa Dunn
BIO — I am a third year student at Michigan State University, in the Lyman Briggs Residential College. I am majoring in Human Biology, hoping to become a health professional in the near future. I was assigned a research project this semester, to deliver a scientific article about a topic I want to share information on. I chose to start a science blog about a topic that impacts not only me but thousands of people that started vaping at a young age.
ABOUT — There are two main reasons why I started researching disposable vapes. The first is that no one knows what is in them! You can’t be completely sure about what you are bringing into your body. Second, I wanted to understand why it is so hard to quit vaping, and, through my research, I was hoping to find the motivation to finally ditch my vape.
Throughout this journey, I learned a lot about what is inhaled while using a disposable vape. I learned about the dangers of many different kinds of smoking devices, but, most importantly, I learned about what all these devices have in common. They all contribute to nicotine addiction.
Addiction to nicotine has become so normalized by society, so much so that it isn’t really seen as a true addiction. In my experience, when the word “addict” was used, it was always used to describe someone who is addicted to alcohol or a hard drug. A smoker or a vaper was never referred to as an addict.
Now, my perspective has grown. I am a nicotine addict. I have to accept that I have an addiction and acknowledge the harm I’m causing to my own body. After realizing that one disposable vape contains as much nicotine as 40 cigarettes, I really started to look at vapes differently. I no longer want to continue this lifestyle. I have the power to choose how much these devices affect me. We all have that power.
I now have the motivation to quit smoking, and I am so happy to finally get to say that.
However, the journey for me still wasn’t over. I needed support from someone or something to help me stay accountable and actually succeed in beating my addiction.
Just one problem: I had never heard of a ‘quit vaping’ support group, and, so once again, I took to the internet to find out what’s out there.
Surprisingly, I found exactly what I was looking for immediately. I found the first ever free mobile program that provides 24/7 online support to help young individuals quit the addiction to nicotine. This program is determined to help individuals beat smoking, vaping, and opioid addictions. The program is called This Is Quitting, and it was created by Truth Initiative.
Truth Initiative was founded in 1999, with their headquarters based in Washington, D.C. Their purpose states, “Tobacco control, community outreach, research, smoking cessation, public health”(1). Their mission is “We seek, speak and spread the truth about smoking, vaping, and nicotine.”
Their movement is called “This Is Quitting” and almost 250,000 people have signed up to quit.
The first thing I loved about this group is that they recognize this kind of addiction is a big issue and it matters. In addition, they focus their attention on the young community. They provide young vapers and addicts with correct information about nicotine addiction and nicotinic smoking devices. They only provide true facts on addictive substances and allow you to make your own choices after being exposed to the correct information.
Furthermore, they offer addiction quizzes to see if this program is right for you. It is a very welcoming community that is trying to change the way vaping is perceived. For years vaping and smoking was seen as cool and sophisticated, but, for the first time, this community promotes that quitting is cooler and that no one has to struggle through it alone.
While this support group may be focusing on younger individuals, their one of a kind “text-to-quit” program works for absolutely anyone and everyone. There’s no personal information that has to be shared, and it’s completely free to sign up and get help.
It is super easy to join too. By simply entering a working phone number, they connect you with someone to talk to and offer extra support in order to help you get through your day without giving in to addiction. They teach you helpful tricks and even connect you with programs for quitting. Best of all, it has 24/7 support!
What I love most about Truth is that, when you join, you aren’t just signing up to get support, but you become a part of a community where everyone is struggling with the same addiction, whether it be addiction to nicotine, smoking, or opioids. You don’t have to do it alone, and this program ensures that.
Truth is the first community to say “Quitting is cool, and we can do it together.”
I cannot wait to sign up and get started. I am looking forward to ditching my vape for good and am determined to beat my addiction.
I hope my story impacts others and helps others find the motivation to beat their addiction too.
Want to quit with me and thousands of others with Truth? Simply click the link below:
References:
References for Images:
- https://www.smoketastic.com/tips-to-quit-vaping/
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ex-program-by-truth-initiative-and-mcleod-health-join-forces-to-help-employees-patients-live-tobacco-free-301229303.html
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/first-of-its-kind-truth-campaign-follows-young-vapers-quit-e-cigarettes-live-on-social-media-301215487.html
