Do I have to do this alone?
Finding a support system that works for you is crucial in becoming a non-smoker. It needn’t be a lonely, isolated journey which you take by yourself. Whether it be via an online forum, local church group, or through family and friends (excercise caution here), the key is to find people to help you in times of strife.
There’s several free online message boards on the Internet that those with limited time may find to be a valuable option. It will help you connect with other people who are trying to stop smoking as well; it’ll give you a place to talk about your withdrawal symptoms or other challenges that you are facing with your new lifestyle.
Once you have found a message board you like, dig down and you will probably find that it is broken down into differing areas that correspond to the stage of quitting that you are currently in. And as I’ve said before, even though you think your particular situation is unique, you will most likely find that others before have encountered the exact same situation.
As mentioned above, be cautious when enlisting the help of friends and family, because at times, even when they think they are being helpful, they can irritate you or even push you towards a relapse by pestering you about your trials and tribulations of quitting.
So to deal with the excess inquiries of your family and friends, it is wise to inform them with withdrawal symptoms, naturally you may become more easily agitated and that their constant questioning could be a detriment to your success. It’s best to have this conversation with them before you quit to help ease matters later on.
One other option is a local smoking cessation meeting that is usually held at a community church, health care center, or sometime even a school. Most of these groups meetings are held either at no cost or very low cost, so everyone can attend.
They are often about an hour or two long, where you get to meet with others who were going through the same thing that you are. One of the advantages of this type of support system is that you have face to face contact and can develop relationships with your group members. Having a buddy to quit smoking with, or call upon, if you’re feeling like you’re going to have a relapse can assist you in remaining a non-smoker.
So before your quit day, be sure to decide on which method or methods of support you are going to use AND then use them! Of all the tools in the quitting smoker’s toolbox, support is the most effective of all, so be sure that this is where your quest begins.
