Ways You Can Help Someone Quit Smoking for Good

One of the hardest things to do is to quit smoking for good. If someone you know is quitting, there are some things you can do to give them help to quit smoking for good.

Things You Should Do

Respect the quitter: he/she is in charge and it is their decision to quit smoking for good, not yours. Ask the quitter how much encouragement they want when quitting. Do they want you to call them or stop by and ask about their progress? Do they want encouragement? Make sure you know what kind of help to quit smoking the quitter needs and wants from you. Help the quitter out by supplying him/her with straws to chew on or candy to suck on. Give the quitter help to quit smoking by keeping their mind off of smoking by keeping them busy with hobbies or outings. Help the quitter out with chores or other household tasks that may contribute to their stress level. Help keep them calm as much as possible. Try to look at it from their point of view. Many smokers speak of the reliability of smoking. It is always the same, the ritual of smoking has been a comfort and a crutch to them for many years, try and understand those feelings. Most importantly, celebrate all successes, a day without smoking, a week without smoking; every day without smoking should be celebrated!

Things You Should NOT Do

Do not yell, scold, nag, pick at or otherwise try to cajole the quitter into quitting smoking for good. It rarely works and actually works against the quitter. Remember being stressed and upset are two major triggers for smokers. Do not trigger a relapse by yelling. Do not preach or judge the quitter. Again this may work against the quitter’s favor. Do not take the quitters attitude, no matter how grumpy or nasty, personally. This is a symptom of nicotine withdrawal and will resolve itself after a few weeks. Instead of offering advice, simply ask what you `can do to give them help to quit smoking for good or ask what program they are trying.

What To Do About a Slip

If the quitter should happen to slip up and have a cigarette, don’t make the assumption that they will just start smoking again. Slipping up once or twice is normal. Just remind him or her just how long they made it without smoking and remind them why they wanted help to quit smoking for good in the first place. Let the smoker know you care about them whether they quit smoking for good or not
What To Do About a Relapse
Studies show most smokers will try to quit an average of six before they succeed, so all is not lost if there is a relapse. Remind the quitter of what a great job they had done and that managing to quit for any length of time is a success. Offer them help to quit smoking for good and encourage them to try again by letting them know you are ready to support them whenever they are ready to quit smoking for good.
To quit smoking for good is a very difficult thing. If a friend or family member is quitting, give them help to quit smoking. Help keep them stress free and relaxed. Your assistance can be the difference between a successful quitter and a failure!

~BizzyBuyer

Tags: Healthy Lifestyle, Healthy Living, Quit Smoking, Stop Smoking