Keep on trying
Have you tried quitting smoking and then relapsed? It’s normal for people to need a few tries before successfully remaining tobacco-free.
Relapse regret
There’s no doubt about it, quitting smoking isn’t easy. Relapses often happen. If you can’t stay away from cigarettes, don’t panic! Many smokers try several times before they actually manage to stay ex-smokers. There are a variety of reasons why you might not have succeeded this time around.
Not the right time
If you picked a time that’s more stressful than usual or something unexpected has happened, smoking can become very tempting. Don’t worry. Just pick another quit date.
Not the right method
You may have chosen a method that doesn’t work for you. There are many ways to quit smoking, and you may have to try a few before you find the one that does the trick.
Lack of support
Unfortunately, not all smokers who want to quit are supported by friends and family. If you have smokers in your life who aren’t going to quit, the smell of their cigarettes may be tempting for you. If that’s the case, you’ll need to speak to them about their smoking and how it’s affecting you.
Relapsing doesn’t mean you lost the fight. Stay positive. Take what you learned from your smoking attempt, regroup, and approach quitting smoking from a different angle. Even if it takes a few tries, keep going. The health benefits make stopping well worth the battle.
Ask Your Pharmacist
Q: How can I quit smoking?Â
A:Â Everyone knows that smoking is bad for your health but quitting can be more difficult than it sounds. It can take on average 7 or 8 tries before you succeed. Over-the-counter products such as gums, lozenges, and patches as well as prescription medications can help increase your chances of kicking the habit permanently. Take the first step: talk to your pharmacist about quit smoking aids to get the support you need to quit for good.
Do you have a question? Ask your Live Well Pharmacist.
Health Tip
Having a positive attitude is important when you are quitting smoking. Even with over-the-counter and prescription medications, there will be times when you crave a cigarette. Having some coping strategies in place can help you stay motivated. The best way to quit smoking is with a combination of medications and counselling or coaching support. Your Pharmasave pharmacist can offer professional support and may have a special quit smoking program to help you become tobacco-free.
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