Even if it takes you a series of attempts to stop or you’re going through a period of relapsing, the main thing to remember is that you’ve been brave enough to get yourself this far.
To help get you back on track, we’ve put together some top tips.
Was it one specific event or an accumulation of things? Was it stress-related, or perhaps it happened when you were out having a drink with friends?
Remember all the progress you’ve made so far. Whether you relapsed after a few days, months or even years into your smoke free life, trying to stop for good comes with many ups and downs.
Instead of using it to completely fall off track, use it as an opportunity to re-evaluate your stop smoking plan and remind yourself of why you wanted to stop in the first place.
Check if those reasons are still the case – maybe they’ve changed?
Leaning on the available stop-smoking products isn’t to be seen as weak or as if you’re not actually stopping!
Nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) and vapes are much safer than cigarettes and help you control your cravings. If you’ve already tried these, maybe it’s a case of switching it up to combine different products and approaches.
Speak to your GP or your local Stop Smoking Services for advice on what’s best for you.
Speaking to a friend, healthcare professional or even someone from your local stop smoking support group will help you get back on track – especially if you’re being particularly hard on yourself.
Why not have a look at some of the people we spoke to from our region to explore their Stop Smoking stories?
Don’t forget that smoking is highly addictive, and relapsing doesn’t mean you can’t stop. Stopping is one of the best things you can do for your health, and it’s never too late to do it. So, keep going!
