The man was not capable of succeeding in his attempt to quit
smoking. It should have many reasons for that. Not because the
addiction to nicotine was too powerful. It was his fear of
throwing out his cigarettes which rendered his attempt a
failure. He figured if he needed them, he would have them.
Hence, he desire to smoke one. Then another and still another.
Five or six a day, never reaching his optimal level and never
breaking the withdrawal cycle. He was discouraged, depressed,
embarrassed, mad, and, worst of all, smoking.
Quitting smoking needs to be done in few steps. Firstly, the
smoker should strengthen his resolve as to why he wishes to
quit. What is the purpose he wishes to stop smoking? He should
consider the health consequences, the social implications, and
the fact that he is totally controlled by his cigarettes, the
expense and any other personal problems cigarettes have caused
him. It is helpful to write down all of these negative aspects
of smoking. In the future when he does get the thought for a
cigarette, his own reasons for quitting become powerful
ammunition for not returning to smoking.
When the decision is made to quit, the smoker should implement a
program that has the greatest potential of success. The first
and most important step is to quit cold turkey. To accomplish
this goal he should dispose of all smoking material. Cigarettes,
cigars, pipes, butts, ashtrays, lighters--anything that was
considered smoking paraphernalia. If cigarettes are not there,
they can not be smoked.
The person only needs to live through the first few days, one
day at a time. Physical withdrawal may be rough or very mild.
The symptoms will be overcome by making it through the first few
days without taking a puff. Within three days the physical
withdrawal will peak and by two weeks will cease altogether.
Anyhow, the real obstacle is the psychological dependence to
cigarettes. Most of the smokers are convinced smoking is
essential in performing many normal daily activities. Dealing
with stress, working, driving, eating, sleeping, waking up,
relaxing--just about everything requires smoking. The only way
to overcome this perceived dependence is by proving to oneself
that all activities done with cigarettes can be done equally
well without cigarettes. Just living through the first few days
and functioning in normal required roles will prove that the
smoker can survive without cigarettes. It may be difficult, but
it is possible.
Once the initial quitting process is overcome, the rest is
simple. Sure there will still be times when the ex-smoker wants
a cigarette. But these smokers must realize that he does not
have the option of only one. Because he is a nicotine addict,
smoking is now, and always has been an all or nothing
proposition.
It is never too late to stop smoking it you decide to quit this
habit.
Discover more how to quit smoking in less than 30days.
About the author:
Community Health Councils
