I have been doing a lot of pondering lately about several of my ‘special’ interests.  You do not have to look far to see many who want to classify much of what people enjoy as being addictive.  Even our own literature and forums talk of the addictictive potential of Lady Nicotine.  So, while I have been working for the past few days I have wondered about my particular ‘Addictions’.

I have been a Pipe smoker for years and have a large collection of briars but particularly of Meerschaums that I love to enjoy. And what is a pipe without tobacco… So, I have probably got 30+ pounds of wonderful pipe tobacco, properly packaged and aging, getting better by the year.  So am I addicted?

Whats more I have also been a cigar lover for nearly as long as I have been an avid pipe fan.  As a result I have aquired literally hundreds of cigars, most of which are wonderful works of art in their own right.  I also have them aging in their respective humidors (22 at last count not to include the dozens of other containers). So am I addicted?

And even further, I have a hundred or so different snuffs which I am increasingly beginning to fully appreciate.  They can be altered or adjusted as my mood changes, or with a variety of foods or drinks that they may compliment, or to go with the weather or what I am reading.  Today I tried 8 different mixes. Am I addicted?

I don’t really think so, but then neither does a coke head or Meth addict.  But I think that there is a difference.  Yes, I believe that to some degree I have an obsession. An obsession with good things in life that make me feel good.  Things that improve with age if taken care of so that I can enjoy them even more as my tastes mature and as they ‘mellow and marry’ flavors.  As a result I have come to the conclusion that for me, these things bring me Joy, Sheer Joy. So, I propose that well, maybe I am addicted. Addicted to what brings me joy. And right now, at this point in my life, these tobacco products and in particular Snuff bring me joy… So are you addicted - - - obsessed - - - or is it Joy?

Stole this from a pipe web site sorry @ freestroke "

Diagnosing TAD

While Tobacco Acquisition Disorder and its more serious manifestation, Tobacco Acquisition Disease, describe the characteristics of the malady, symptom severity can differ from individual to individual as the disease progresses. It would be in the interest of the pipe smoking community to more fully recognize and classify these variations to help pipers analyze their specific health issues. We can improve only if we first admit we have a problem, or so they say.

Level 1: A handful of blends has worn thin. An online sampler pack to try some different tobaccos contains a few winners. You reorder too much of those tobaccos along with more samples. You have opted for a Puff newbie sampler pack.

Level 2: You have too much of some tobaccos that you once liked and not enough of some you have found that you now prefer. Your EPS sampler contains a large assortment of excellent tobaccos, some you feel you have to have more of. You order extra quantities of these new tobaccos and a few other tins recommended on the forums, to get free shipping.

Level 3: The penny falls that entirely too much tobacco is in inadequate packaging; your smoking area (or even entire living quarters) has become littered with baggies and open tins that cannot possibly be finished before they go stale. You buy a case of preserving jars.

Level 4: You have used up a case of preserving jars and learned that age improves some of the finer tobaccos you’ve now encountered. You decide to buy some of these in bulk and cellar them. No online dealer has them all, so multiple orders are required, each order needing a little padding to get free shipping. You buy more preserving jars.

Level 5: You have rather a lot of tobacco, larger than necessary quantities of this and that plus things you wish you had tried earlier, so you decide to give some away to start a newbie off right (and get a tin of that Hamborger Veermaster or Royal Yacht you’ve been wanting to try). You are now a TAD carrier, actively spreading the disease.

Level 6: You have built, bought or dedicated a cabinet, shelf or desk to hold your collection of jars and tins and baggies. (This is frequently a syndrome parallel with PAD Level 6, where a pipes/tobacco ensemble is assembled.) You begin to photograph your tobacco cellar. You spend too much of your spare time at tobaccoreviews.com, reading other people’s opinions of tobacco that you actually have but haven’t tried yet. You realize you are almost out of pipe cleaners, order a lot of them but not so many that you don’t need some of the Dunhill tins you are surprised to see in stock to get free shipping.

Level 7: Some tobaccos have eluded you. You begin watching for heads-up posts about their availability: 1. Quantities are limited, but you buy all you can and get a few more tins of this and that to get free shipping. 2. They have pounds in bulk, so you get a pound plus another pound of something else from the same blender, say St. James Flake and a kicker of Squadron Leader – and a tin or three of something to get free shipping. You realize that you will always need more preserving jars unless something is done.

Descriptions of Levels 8-12 contain graphic material associated with Tobacco Acquisition Disease proper, not suitable to a public forum."

You can add snuff,snus,cigars,chew,and dip to the list along with all the accessories , antiques, history,pipes ,boxes,bullets,spoons,fine silver,bottles and the list goes on.

This is so true for me and most of you.

Hmmmm…sounds like I may be near level 13 or so.  But sometimes being oblivious is its own reward…

Thanks @ basement_shaman for your insight!

Nicotine is the addiction, and tobacco as a whole is by obsession, anything else related is just joy.

Oh shit!!!  I’m a really sick person!!!  How do I get out of this?  Do I WANT to get out of it?  I don’t think so.

I’m going to light a pipe, take a pinch of O&G and insert a portion of snus and then think about what I’m going to do about the mess I’m in.

Yep I am an addict to a pleasure that gives me joy.
I would define an addict as someone who can not voluntarily give up the substance.

The collection and sorting, and cataloguing of your Snuff is Just good practice (wink)

On a serious note , every tin, tub or bag tells me Snuff is addictive, this is true? but surely must relate to Anti Smoking and labelling rules rather then Snuff taking?

I find some days I do loads of Snuff all day and on others the pleasure is reserved for quite peaceful times.

I am going to try a Snuff Free day soon and see how I get on…soon …honest…not yet, but soon…promise

It’s a ‘special interest’ for me, too. It harms no one. What’s with a world where feeling good is a sin, anyway?

And it seems that so many of the things that make us feel good… Are simply wrong in someones eyes anyway…  Joy Joy Joy to all!

I’ve also been thinking a lot along these lines lately… I was addicted to cigarettes for about 10 years. I say addicted because I didn’t really care much about them, other than the fact that I had to have them or I would feel like I was going insane. They made me feel ill more often than good. I was not interested in trying different cigarette flavors or learning about cigarette history. Not once did I think about purchasing any cigarette accessories or collectables. In retrospect, I really don’t know why I had to have them. I smoked a pipe occasionally and found it better tasting and more relaxing, but I think I smoked too many cigarettes to really get into a pipe smoking habit.

Then… the magical day I discovered snuff. After my first snuffing, I quit cigarette smoking almost instantly. And why not? I was getting the nicotine, and it was a much more enjoyable experience in all aspects. I immediately wanted to know more about it. I wanted to try all different styles and flavors. I fell in love with all of the art that goes into snuff taking, producing, beautiful snuff boxes and spoons, etc. I want all the snuff and snuff accessories I can get my paws on. I have since doubled my interest in pipe smoking as well. 

For me, snuff really opened the door to enjoying all tobacco really has to offer… rather than using it only as a drug.  With cigarettes out of the picture, I see tobacco as a hobby more than an addiction. In my short time snuffing, I think I have advanced to borderline obsession and can only see it getting worse… but it makes me happy, so who cares?!

@Scurvy: What a wonderful statement. Thank you…

I will kill anyone that takes my snuff. I’d give up herion (just kidding I don’t use herion) for snuff. I’am sure as heck convinced it’s an addiction. Doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy it or that it’s a flat experience only about getting my next fix so I don’t start stabing people.

Nicotine increase dopamine,so an honest happy man has got many dopamine to increase,so a snuffer become an addict as speed as he’s happy.So, Snuff is a product for happy people

I smoke pipes and cigars and take snuff. I can go without easy enough, but the craving is there! It is mild but it is obvious I have an addiction- I would say the enjoyment outweighs the cravings. This seems to be in stark contrast to cigarette smokers where the relief of the craving seems to be the main aim and it seems rather joyless to me.

Addiction,Obsession or Sheer Joy.= Snuffhouse = recovery from the outside world.
Here I am at home with like minded kindred souls. Whom find my TAD & PAD normal.

bish777 sums it up pretty well for me.

I will not argue that my body probably has grown to a level of nicotine tolerance and dependence, however I don’t see my snuff taking and pipe smoking as an addiction. I wouldn’t say I’m addicted just because I crave something… I want to take snuff and smoke my pipe because I find it satisfying, relaxing and extremely enjoyable. I would say I was addicted to cigarettes because I had to have them, even though I did not want them… they tasted terrible and made me feel generally unhealthy. Many times I have gone days without eating because it was more important to buy cigarettes. I think being compelled to do something because you want to, opposed to being compelled to do something you do not want to do, is really the big difference. 

Or, maybe I am an addict and I’m in the “denial” stage. Damn, I just blew my mind. 

@scurvy and everyone else. Medicaly there is no actual definition for addiction. There are several definitions ranging from very simple such as having tolerance and withdraw. To my favorite which is an overwhelming compulsion to use something despite the negatives factors. My defintion of addiction is something that I feel an obsessive compulsion to use and to not use causes a noticable decrease in my ability to function that has nothing to do with the basic effects of the drug (for example if I just had surgery and was in a massive amount of pain I would need morphine or a strong pain killer to function that’s not addiction, but if I need morphine to function because the air was too painfull that is addiction). My definition of function basically means go to work and be productive. For example even if I’ve been sleeping well I can not cut up food products at a decent speed or with accuracy if I have not had my tea or coffee. I guess what I’am saying is no one really knows what addiction is.

 I find the definition of despite negative  factors kind of funny because it means you’re not a junkie untill something bad happens. i.e. is that guy a herion addict no he pays his bills and his family doesn’t mind him like that at all, but the moment he runs out of money he’ll be one.

@bob Very true, it’s all open to opinion and speculation. Different definitions of “addiction” could be applied to anything… Even if I hate my job and it causes me undue stress, I still have an overwhelming compulsion to go to work because I do not want to be homeless. Does that mean I’m addicted to work?

I guess, I just don’t like the word “addiction” because of its negative connotation. I prefer to leave my fabulous snuff unsullied by any negativity.

@Scurvy nope makes you addicted to not being homeless. Addictions aren’t always a bad thing I’am addicted to caffine too. Well addiction is a bad thing but that doesn’t mean it’s always a bad thing over all. I think nicotine and caffine both improve my life a lot more then the addiction takes away. Snuff is great.

 P.s. like the new avatar!

@bob I’ve been homeless before, and I can certainly say that I’m a huge fan of not being homeless.

I suppose when I get to the point where I’ve been awake for 5 days and I’m dunking my face into a mountain of snuff reminiscent of Scarface, someone might say I have a problem. But as long as I’m happy with myself and my actions are not hurting myself or anyone else, what does it even matter? 

Sounds like some serious thinking going on. And just like I thought I am not alone.  I agree that the compulsion to enjoy something that not only makes life more enjoyable, but more productive and to be able to do so at a very reasonable price all in all is very compelling.  At times I think I have at least a semi obsession with the things I like, be they tobacco, music, good books or heck, even movies or a good meal  all of which bring me joy. So I fugure I may well be obsessed with the addiction to joy.  Hmmmm sort of confusing, but cool.

I too like your new avatar Scurvy!

@stogie, I have to agree that I’m obsessed with anything that brings me joy. The philosophy of it all is a little confusing… interesting to ponder, but on the other hand, what does it all really matter? If it makes you happy and you’re not hurting other people, do it! Life is much too short to abstain from enjoyment.

On a side note, I’m really jealous of my new avatar. I used to have a pretty decent handlebar, but my current employer wont allow me to grow one. Shucks.

What a shallow minded twerp.  But I suppose all will be alright as long as he/she keep their hands off your snuff box!

UPDATE! I just accidentally dumped half my tin of WoS Best Dark all over my hands and coffee table… I almost had a heart attack. Most of the stuff on the table I was able to salvage… the piles covering the entire backs of both my hands? I snuffed it. I may be closer to Scarface status than I thought… 

Hmmm… so now that we have concluded that we are indeed addicts and since at least in my neck of the woods, say a meth addict is often referred to a meth head… are we officially snuff heads then?

@scurvy…an even bigger problem is the loss of all that GOOD STUFF you snuff!

@stogie, That’s exactly what I thought… I couldn’t waste it by simply washing my hands, it must be snuffed! After that experience, I certainly felt as if my head were made of snuff. The buzz was pretty incredible. I then coughed and left a nice black splatter on my wall… hahaha.

I think I’ve said it before, I know I have an addictive personality. If it were even possible for me to moderate everything it would be hard. Having given up my worst habits, which became joyless obsessions and addictions, I have found many more legal and healthier ones that are sheer joy. Snuff is the first one that comes to mind and it complements all my obsessions and addictions like tea, exercise, books, music, and art. My family have even become more accepting of my tobacco usage since I’ve given up so many worse things and the stress relief from a combination of aromatherapy and nicotine hasn’t backfired yet. Being on this site has taught me to be a proud carrier of our tradition and it is a big part of what makes this addiction and obsession sheer joy. Today I have habits that do much more good than harm and for that I am grateful.

@TomStrasbourg  I agree, and I also like the fact that all in all this is a very inexpensive ‘addiction’ to have .

Forget about the addiction/obsession issue, I think that many of us may have a bigger issue…

We might have a tendency to be snuff HOARDERS!

Oh my, That is a fact. Truer words seldom spoken.  Imagine a world where there is no more snuff… This cannot be.  Think I will make another order now and hide it carefully.

“My snuff… my precious…”

They say that the “first step” is admitting that you have a problem… but at what point does it really become a problem? I, for one, believe my only problem is not having enough snuff.

“My snuff… my precious…”

They say that the “first step” is admitting that you have a problem… but at what point does it really become a problem? I, for one, believe my only problem is not having enough snuff.

I have the same problem. Snuff hoarding is the solution, not the problem. The only other snuff problem I have is finding long term storage containers and space for it. Maybe if there weren’t so many flavors and variants I wouldn’t have these problems.

So, aside from mason jars, snuff boxes (which are not always great storage solutions) and a variety of plastic storage boxes, what are the best solutions to ‘save’ our ‘addiction’ in a most pleasing manner?

I just stick it in the freezer in it’s original container.

I need a walk-in freezer.I could sit in there on these sweltering days and enjoy my horde of snuff

Hmmm I know that snuff and cigars are totally different things but if you try to keep cigars in the freezer it will certainly ruin them.  Draws the moisture out.  Think about many of the things you keep in the freezer, building upfrost inside their respictive containers over time.  That freezer burn is actually the moisture being drawn out.  Snuff on the other hand is another animal.  I do like @basement_Shaman idea of a walk in freezer though.  I would be able to enjoy the best of all worlds, at least for periods of time.  Wonder how big it is going to have to be though?

@stogie - For an adequately sized freezer, do a search under “mortuary supplies.”

@Scurvy: What a wonderful statement. Thank you…

Totally want to second that. 100% agree.