Simply Quit Smoking

Many people quit smoking every day. Yet just as many start smoking every day. So whats the use of quitting? Reasons for quitting are because of health, or because of the cost or even just to regain control of your life. Whichever reason you have to quit smoking, you most definitely need a support group.

The support to help you quit smoking can take on many forms. It may be a support group, a trusted friend or relative, a doctor, or even internet based quit smoking support groups. Whichever way you feel the most confident that you will be able to stand up to your triggers and stay the course even no matter how your situation changes.

What triggers you?

What are triggers? Triggers are those factors that make you reach for a cigarette. For example when many smokers wake up they are triggered to smoke. Knowing your most habitual triggers will help you to quit successfully. The best way to do this is to make a smoking journal, write down each cigarette you smoke for one week and why; not only are you likely to be surprised how many cigarettes you smoke, but also why. Share your findings with your quit smoking support person or group. How often do you smoke because your bored, tired, hungry, driving, stressed, or dozens of other reasons?

It is good to know the strongest triggers in your case. Know which of your triggers are the strongest and come up with counter measures. Quit smoking support groups are terrific resources for alternatives to smoking in various situations, because they have already been through it, or are currently going through it, and are making the same excuses you are. At least at when you first quit smoking you will want to avoid your biggest triggers such as being enclosed with smokers, or drinking alcohol.

Willpower

You must have the courage and will power to keep on changing your daily routine. You could have to make 20 or more modifications depending on how many cigarettes you smoke each day. It is a big job but not impossible; having support to quit smoking is very helpful to many people. A support person or group can help you to have someone to talk to when you are tempted to give in to temptation.

Choosing a Support Person or Group

Success or failure can depend on the people you have who support you in what you are trying to achieve. This person should be available to you most of the time, if nothing else just to be able to call for a reality check. They should also help you to find places that are smoke free and encourage you to stay the course when you feel like giving up. They should also try to help you over come obstacles like weight gain, by working out.

Do your best to avoid putting yourself in situations where your triggers can influence you.

The detrimental effects of smoking is well known to everyone, but not everyone knows how to go about to quit smoking. Many smokers say they want to quit, but it is very difficult to quit smoking. Research shows that the nicotine in cigarettes is a strong addictive substance which may have power equal to heroin. A strong addiction is difficult to overcome, and nicotine addiction is one of the most difficult to overcome.

Of all the different gadgets on the market to help the smoker quit smoking, none is a surefire way of quitting. A smoker can purchase patches that send nicotine through the body without smoking a cigarette.

Sometimes things like patches help to quit smoking but in many smoker’s lives these aids do not even feature. The patches are expensive so few people want to put out money for something that might be useless. There are some prescriptions drugs available that might help a smoker quit their addiction, but not all smokers have been able to quit using these drugs. A quit smoking support group could make a big difference to a frustrated smoker who wants to quit because this type of group is made up of people with similar goals.

A Quit Smoking Support Group Can Help

Quit Smoking Support Groups are usefull because it is so difficult to quit smoking. These groups have been established by hospitals, civic groups and private institutions. These groups have been able to get funds from many different resources. The groups that receive public funds are usually open to all members of the public. A person trying to quit should call the local government offices to find a quit smoking support group. Many of these groups are open to people trying to quit, and those that have quit but are still looking for support.

People who have quit smoking find it difficult to go it alone, so they need help from other quitters to keep up quitting and not to start smoking again. The people in the groups have knowledge to share with the others in the meetings. They can explain methods that worked for them as well as the problems they had trying to stop smoking. The members of the group also can provide sympathy to those that have not yet succeeded in their goals.

The other members of a quit smoking group have the knowledge to help the new member, because they have been through it all themselves.

Why it’s so Hard to Quit

The knowledge that nicotine is addictive, is known by all. It is very difficult to break the hold of nicotine on ones body. When most people try to give up, they find the withdrawal symptoms hard to take, and are easily alleviated by just having a cigarette. Beyond the physical demands nicotine has on the body, the mental burden can be even more intense.

Smoking is so easy to do, you can do it anywhere you go. You can smoke when you wake up, when you have a cup of coffee, on the drive to work, at your breaks at work, after a meal, the list goes on and on.

Trying to make at least 20 changes a day to your daily routine (the number of cigarettes that you smoke per day), makes it almost unimaginable what you are going to do when you stop smoking. This is especially difficult to achieve on one’s own, and for this reason quit smoking programs can be a great help to people who want to supplement the support they already get from friends, family, or a professional of some other sort.

Which program?

The reason why it is difficult to choose a supprt program, is that there are so many of them. Choosing however, is a very important decision, as it could determine how successful one is at actually quitting for good. Many quit smoking programs also either offer counseling, group or individualized, to help a smoker overcome the obstacles they may face daily, which will tempt them to smoke. In addition, if the program charges a fee, the fee should seem reasonable, and it is a good idea to check any company out with the better business bureau.

Other considerations should include

1. the length of a quit smoking program,

2. number of meetings,

3. family involvement, and

4. intensity of the quit smoking program.

Long term success will likely be determined by the skills that are gained in these classes or meetings; they should teach the smoker coping skills, and behavior modifications.

For example, if someone normally smokes the most in their vehicle, it would be a good idea to have the car completely cleaned of the cigarette smell, put in fresh smelling deodorizers, and maybe even remove the cigarette lighter and ashtray, so that the car has been completely modified, to no longer accommodate the smoking habit.

The quit smoking program should meet weekly, and offer a chance to discuss their triggers and challenges with a therapist, or group, and get tips on coping with those specific situations.

Dealing with Triggers

Triggers are those things that start a specific reaction in a person. Many times the reasons people resume smoking after they have quit is because of triggers; stress or parts of their routine that make a person feel like they need to smoke. One of the most popular concerns are weight gain; especially among women. A quality quit smoking program will also include diet programs; smoking is partially an oral fixation, and as such, eating is a natural way to cope with the loss of cigarettes.

The correct diet can help the person to stop smoking because it deals with specific cravings and also boost the metabolism. The quit smoking program should provide resources to satisfy specific cravings, with reasonable and healthy alternatives. One example would be if craving something crunchy, try carrot sticks or apple slices; or, if something salty, try pretzels or low fat popcorn.

There are ways to overcome personal triggers and to quit smoking.

If anyone around you has decided to quit smoking, is there anything that you can do to help or do you just stand and watch for the slightest relapse. You will do yourself as well as every one around you a very big favor if you start becoming involved in the whole process of quitting smoking. Think of the bystanders who inhale second hand smoke.

Here are some simple ways to help your loved one quit smoking

Join Him or Her

If you are also a smoker, think of the benefits for both of you…but best of all, your own chance of quitting becomes so much better, because you are not only supporting someone but you have someone supporting you to quit smoking  It could be losing weight, exercising more, meditating or cutting back or abandoning alcohol. Whatever it may be, start helping your partner quit smoking by setting goals for yourself too. So in case he feels the urge to smoke a cigarette, you can help him by modeling how you too are staying away from brownies and French fries.

Certain situations trigger smoking

There are certain situations that trigger a former smoker to start smoking again.

As a way to help him quit smoking, try to make plans that do not revolve around friends who smoke or places where everyone is happily puffing away.  Remove ashtrays and other stuff from around the house which can serve as constant reminders of the bad habit. Unsubscribe from smoker promotional emails and mailings that send discount coupons and other incentives to continue smoking.

Start today !

Start doing things together like bowling, walking in the park or even take up golf together. It may not be a magic pill, but it may help you get his mind off smoking and in to some other creative outlet.

Always stay positive

Can you convince him/her of the benefits of quitting smoking by reminding him on a constant basis. Why not use e-mail to post messages or SMS him on his phone a few times a day. Of course, he may know all of it already, but subtle reminders can act as motivation and may just make the difference between lighting up another cigarette or not.

Two are better than one

Why not believe a saying that has evolved over many centuries? This works on just about any field and so much more on trying to quit smoking. People trying to lose weight fares better if they are in a group who support each other, even if it just keeps you from stealing a bite in the dead of night. You know you will have give reckoning of what you have done something not necessary when you are alone. Support each other in quitting smoking and enjoy life together.