Handling Relapses in the Quit Smoking Process
Writing about this topic, for me at least, is a double edged sword, so please allow me to clearly state my personal opinion on this very controversial matter before I go on:
If you are thinking about quitting smoking, do not make plans for, nor allow for any ‘slips’, ‘just ones’ or any ‘accidents’ for that matter. The old saying goes – ‘If you fail to plan, you plan to fail’ but I would also like to add to that the advice of ‘If you plan for slips or accidents, you are more likely to have one as opposed to if you adamantly tell yourself that there will be no allowance for moments of weakness.’
Having said that, it does happen, so here is what I recommend you do. Chastise yourself until you feel completely guilty. Realistically I don’t have to tell you this part because you will automatically do it to yourself anyway. Then once you have raked yourself over the coals, contact your support group (you do have a support group, don’t you?) and let them know what has happened. Use their strength to rebuild your resolve.
Most importantly, be honest with yourself, especially if you have had more than one ‘slip’. Look at the problem straight in the eye; don’t fool yourself that these occasional slips are fine and are just part of the normal quitting process because they aren’t. A slip is a slip and has to be handled as one. Reprimand yourself for a moment’s weakness that leads to hours, if not days, of guilt. Let it sink in deep enough so that it crops up when you feel tempted again.
If you are continually ‘slipping’ you are doing yourself more harm than good because the ‘just ones’ are eventually going to turn into what you used to smoke or more. Believe me, it happens every time.
Don’t try to sweep the slips under the carpet. Look them straight in the eye. If you allow them to happen time and again, you will end up smoking more than you used to smoke This is the sad truth, like it or not.
It is much better to realize that you have missed your target this time around and get back on a new and better course than to continue smoking and that too with a guilty conscience. It will shatter your spirit completely.
Darren Warmuth