Smoking Effects

There are many programs today to help with cessation smoking. Some cost very little money, others may cost hundreds of dollars. If you want to stop, there is no doubt a quit smoking program that will suit you and will succeed with you.

Fundamental to quitting cigarettes is the decision on your part to do so. Success more depends on this rather than even how much money you spend on your efforts.
Shop around for a program that suits your needs and that does not just promise quick fixes. Quitting cigarettes is not at all easy, so stay realistic. If the program is administered by professional staff be sure that they are well trained and answer all inquiries to your satisfaction. Find out their success rate. The more comfortable you are with the program, the more likely it is that it will be of benefit to you.

Getting ready to quit.
1. List your reasons for quitting and be very clear about them throughout the program.
2. Set an appropriate date on which to stop
3. Keep in mind that there will be temptations and work out ways to get over them– like taking up exercise, sport and many other good distractions. Keep your hands from being idle and fidgety. Try painting.
4. Enlist the encouragement of friends, family and co-workers. Let them know what you are doing, then they won’t smoke around you!

Use of medications.
Discuss this with your doctor in case you may need a safe nicotine replacement therapy alternative to deal with craving and withdrawal effects. Not everybody uses or needs them in their quit smoking program but it has been found to optimize your chances of success, ask the doctor for a prescription that is right for you.

Do not smoke.
Stay away from the cigarettes. This is critical. Avoid situations that used to make you smoke, eg if you enjoyed your drink with a cigarette give up the drink for now and stay away from bar rooms, smoke-filled rooms and smokers in general. The first 2 days smoke-free are the hardest, and the first 2 weeks are also difficult. Stick with it.
Don’t use substitutes like low-tar or smokeless tobacco or pipes. Do everything you can to stay smoke-free.

Join a support group.
Many quitters have found it useful to join a group like Nicotine Anonymous. It helps to be around people who are trying like you to stop smoking and with whom you are walking the same path.

Keep in mind that staying stopped is not so much IN whichever quit smoking program you pick but it is in your being decisive that you want to stop, and being  psychologically prepared to stick with that decision. Stay positive and remember, enjoy the new life….