Should You Quit Vaping Cold Turkey?

Vaping has become increasingly popular in recent years as an alternative to smoking cigarettes. However with the recent outbreak of vaping-related lung illnesses, many people are now reconsidering vaping and looking to quit. A common question is whether you should quit vaping cold turkey or gradually wean yourself off. Here is a detailed look at the pros and cons of quitting vaping cold turkey.

What Does It Mean to Quit Vaping Cold Turkey?

Quitting vaping cold turkey means stopping the use of vaping products completely and abruptly. This contrasts with gradually reducing your vaping over time. For example, with cold turkey you would simply stop vaping starting one day, rather than slowly cutting back by vaping less each day leading up to your quit date.

Going cold turkey means not using any vaping products after your quit date. This includes not vaping at all, getting rid of your vaping devices not buying new vape juice and avoiding triggers or situations that make you want to vape. The key is stopping completely all at once.

Pros of Quitting Vaping Cold Turkey

There are several potential advantages to quitting vaping cold turkey

• Avoids prolonged withdrawal symptoms: By quitting all at once, you rip the bandaid off and avoid dragging out the withdrawal process over weeks or months. This can help you push through withdrawal symptoms more quickly rather than experiencing extended cravings.

• Prevents cheating or backsliding: Tapering off vaping leaves room for cheating or backsliding as you try to steadily reduce usage. Quitting cold turkey leaves no room for vaping at all, preventing cheating.

• Stop nicotine addiction completely: Quitting cold turkey allows you to fully eliminate nicotine from your body in a quicker timeframe rather than tapering. This can help break both the physical and mental aspects of your nicotine addiction.

• Take control: Deciding to quit cold turkey can give you an increased sense of control and empowerment over your nicotine addiction. The abrupt stop can boost your confidence in your ability to function without vaping.

• Save money: Skipping the tapering phase can help you save money by avoiding the cost of buying vaping products for the purpose of weaning yourself off.

Cons of Quitting Vaping Cold Turkey

However, quitting vaping cold turkey also has some potential downsides to consider:

• Severe withdrawal symptoms: The abrupt removal of nicotine from your body can lead to more severe withdrawal symptoms like strong cravings, anxiety, irritability, trouble sleeping, restlessness, and depression. Gradual reduction can ease some of these symptoms.

• Higher relapse rates: The severity of cold turkey withdrawal symptoms causes many people to relapse. More people are able to successfully quit when using a gradual approach.

• Loss of control: The intensity of cold turkey withdrawal can make some feel powerless, helpless, and out of control. A gradual taper can provide a greater sense of control over the process.

• Difficulty functioning: Some people report impaired ability to function at work or school for a period when quitting vaping cold turkey due to withdrawal effects and cravings. Tapering may allow better functioning.

• Not for heavy vapers: For people who vape heavily and consistently, cold turkey may be too much of a shock to the body. Gradual reduction may work better for heavy dependence.

Tips for Quitting Vaping Cold Turkey

If you do choose to quit vaping cold turkey, here are some tips to increase your chances of success:

• Pick a quit date and stick to it – make a firm commitment.

• Remove vaping paraphernalia like devices and juices from your home, car, and work.

• Find a support buddy – ask a friend to quit with you or check in with you.

• Identify your triggers – certain activities, places, or emotions that make you want to vape. Avoid triggers.

• Have coping mechanisms in place – go for a walk, call a friend, practice breathing exercises when a craving hits.

• Consider nicotine replacement like gum, patches, or lozenges to ease withdrawal during the first 1-2 months.

• Keep yourself busy – plan activities, meet friends, pick up a hobby to fill time and distract from cravings.

• Reward progress – celebrate milestones like one week or one month vape-free.

Long-Term Success in Quitting Vaping

Regardless of whether you quit vaping cold turkey or gradually, the key is sticking with it long-term. Here are some stats on long-term success rates:

• People who quit vaping cold turkey have a 25% success rate after 1 year. This means 1 in 4 are still not vaping after 1 year.

• People who gradually reduce vaping have a 15-20% success rate after 1 year.

• Using nicotine replacement therapy improves success rates by 1.5 to 2 times for both cold turkey and gradual reduction methods.

So while cold turkey quitting has higher rates of relapse initially, it can lead to greater long-term success if you can push through the early withdrawal challenges. But remember – any method that gets you successfully off vaping long-term is the right method for you. Don’t be afraid to switch approaches if needed. The key is finding a quitting method you can stick to for good.

Signs It’s Time to Rethink Vaping

With the surge in vaping-related lung illnesses – some even resulting in death – many vapers are rightly concerned about the impacts on their health. Here are some signs it may be time to reevaluate your vaping habit:

• You experience coughing, chest tightness, trouble breathing, chest pain after vaping.

• You are excessively tired, have chills, fever, weight loss, or other unexplained symptoms.

• You have been hospitalized for what doctors suspect may be related to vaping.

• You see news reports of vaping illnesses that worry you about your own health risks.

• Friends or family express concern about potential harms of your vaping.

• You spend excessive amounts of money on vaping that leads to financial issues.

• You feel your vaping has become an uncontrollable addiction.

• You hide your vaping from loved ones or vape in risky situations like alone or while driving.

Any combination of the above signs indicates it may be time to seriously reassess vaping risks and consider quitting. The recent CDC and FDA warnings make clear – when it comes to vaping safety, caution is warranted.

Getting Help to Quit Vaping

Quitting vaping, especially cold turkey, can be very challenging. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and access resources like:

• Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for free advice, counseling, and other support.

• Text “DITCHVAPE” to 88709 for text support.

• Download quit vaping apps like Quit Vaping, QuitNow!, Kwit Vape, Smokefree.

• Ask your doctor about counseling, nicotine replacement options, and prescription cessation medication.

• Consider joining a local vape quit program or support group.

Having support and accountability can double or triple your chances of quitting vaping successfully long-term. So reach out for help – you don’t have to do it alone.

The Bottom Line on Quitting Vaping Cold Turkey

While no “right way” to quit vaping exists, the cold turkey approach can lead to better long-term success for many looking to quit. But it requires pushing through more severe initial withdrawal. Gradual reduction may be easier at first but comes with higher relapse rates.

Consider your personality, support system, dependence level and pick the quit method you’re most likely to stick to. Remember – the goal is not how you get there, it’s succeeding in quitting for good. Use any combination of safe methods that will get you off vaping before your health pays the price. Your lungs and overall health are worth the effort.