No ex-smoker wants to go back to smoking full-time.
What types of strategies are there to avoid going back? How do you stay strong 24/7, 365 days of the year? Isn’t that a little too much to expect from someone?
No, it is not.
When I put out that last cigarette for good, I was determined, without a doubt, that I wanted to remain a non-smoker for life.
I knew, even with all the physical pain that was about to hit me, that my life would take a drastic turn for the better, and I’d ultimately be a happier person, both inside and out.
You have to WANT it more than anything else!
If there is a big event coming up, like a party, a holiday, a wedding, or a birthday, you need to tell everyone that you quit.
That is a trap that most people fall into. They don’t tell anyone they’ve quit.
Let people know, and they will help you. But you have to tell them first.
Understand that whatever thought is going through your mind about smoking, whether it be mental or physical, it is just the addiction talking, nothing else.
Nothing is actually physically making you grab for a cigarette.
It’s just nicotine messing with your mind and trying to convince you that the situation in front of you will be better if you had one in your hands.
It’s all a complete lie!
If you’ve quit for a number of days or weeks, then that sudden craving will only last a minute or two. Just get past it and understand that it’s just a mind game.
During the first few months, don’t over do it. It’s perfectly OK to go out with friends, co-workers, and family after you’ve gotten over the withdrawal period, which lasts about 3 weeks.
But shortly after that, it still doesn’t give you free reign to do whatever you please.
You shouldn’t go overboard with anything quite yet, and catch yourself in a vulnerable spot. You need to be smart about things.
Just because you got over the physical, doesn’t mean you’re over the mental. The mental can last months and months.
Getting blacked-out wasted on a Friday night 4 weeks after you’ve quit is NOT a good idea.
Everyone’s life is different. No two ways of going about it are going to be exactly alike, so it’s hard to determine which prevention strategies will work for everyone.
But it’s important to be smart and stay strong, well beyond the days of physical withdrawal.
All it takes is one weak moment, when you’re caught off guard, and then it’s all over. It’s back to square one you go.
That’s the sad reality of it. All it takes is one mistake.
Don’t let anyone tell you it’s OK to slip up every now and then, either.
Why?
If that’s how you think, you’ll see many days of starting all over.
You’ll smoke during those big events, because you’re convinced it’s OK.
It’s not OK!
All you’re doing is prolonging your own agony. The longer you go without any nicotine, the faster your recovery will be. That’s just a simple fact that can’t be denied.
There is no recovery in smoking once a week, or only when you drink. That is still the life of an addict.
What strategies will work for you?
Only YOU know the events going on in your life. You need to prepare for those events, and take them on full force. Either that, or avoid them all together if you’re not ready.
There is nothing wrong with that. Don’t be afraid to take it easy for a while.
But first and foremost, believe you can do it.
Go into that party with vigor and excitement, and announce that you’ll be a non-smoker for the evening. Not only will that boost your confidence, but everyone will support you.
And no, you don’t have to announce to every single person, let’s be realistic. Just tell your best friend, or the people you rode with.
It’s better that way than keeping it all a secret!
You’ll see!
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