Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Do I have to do this alone?

By Darren Warmuth

One of the hardest things to do is to quit smoking. And when you're just beginning the journey as a non-smoker, you can feel very isolated and alone. One of the keys to success of becoming a non-smoker is to set up a support system. Whether it be family support (be cautious in who you choose), online, or at a local smoking cessation meeting, having a support system is vital.

The online support option is fanatastic for those who have limited time in which to establish a local system. By joining up with community forums that host a smoking cessation board, you get the opportunity to speak with others looking to accomplish the same goal you are.

When searching out these forums, be sure to find one that has the differing stages of quitting smoking broken down so that you can go straight to the area which would help you most. Find the posts that coincide with the challenges you are facing at the time and again, you will find that others will have had challenges with the very same issues.

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.

Best to deal with this issue before you quit by having a quick conversation with friends and family. Ask them not to incessently query you about 'how you are doing' as with the withdrawal symptoms, it is possible that you will become more easily agitated. Help nip it in the bud before it happens.

Another option that a lot of people have found very helpful, is finding a local smoking cessation group. Often these group meetings may be held in a local hospital, at a library, or sometimes they meet at a church. Often you can find these meetings offered for free, or at the very least low cost in most cases.

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.

Although some methods of support are better than others, the important thing is that you have some to begin with - before you quit smoking. For without the support, quitting smoking is going to be one of the hardest tasks you are ever going to do. No sense doing it alone. - 15438

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