Law detailed the progression of her addiction over time.
She explained, “Like any addiction, the habit crept up on me – initially, it was just a few puffs during nights out with friends or after dinner. Eventually, I found myself tethered to disposable vapes like Lost Mary, unable to leave the house without one.”
Boredom became an excuse for her vaping, leading to a habit that persisted throughout her day. Law vaped at home, at work, and even while relaxing in bed.
Her journey to quit began after reading “Dopamine Nation” by Dr. Anna Lembke, which shifted her understanding of addiction.
She assessed her vaping habit, revealing it amounted to smoking the equivalent of 100 cigarettes each week.
Law stated, “A Lost Mary BM600 disposable vape is roughly equivalent to 20 cigarettes. This is because it contains 20mg of nicotine. At my worst, I was going through five a week. This means I was inhaling 100mg of nicotine into my body, or the equivalent of 100 cigarettes.”
Law gained insight that her addiction stemmed not just from the substance but from the altered reward system in her brain. Nicotine’s quick dopamine hits initially provide a buzz but are followed by discomfort, restlessness, and irritation.
To combat these effects, Law chose to embrace the discomfort, noting that her cravings diminished over time. She made a conscious effort to avoid triggers and adopt healthier routines.
By quitting cold turkey, Law aimed to reset her brain’s reward mechanism. She is currently celebrating a month without vaping, having successfully quieted the ‘nicotine noise’ that once dominated her life.