If you are like most people, quitting is a process — not an event. You should feel proud that you are trying again! Tobacco is way more than a bad habit — it’s a powerful addiction. So the quitting process takes time. Don’t be discouraged if you have tried to quit before. That puts you in good company.
It’s common for people to try to quit five to seven times before they finally quit for good.1
Quitting is a bear (as you know). Between the nicotine cravings and the stress of daily life, it’s easy to slip back into old routines. But there is some good news. Learning from past quit attempts can help you be more successful this time.
A lot of people try to quit without any support, or cold turkey. But the truth is you are way more likely to quit for good if you get support, including counseling and quit medication.
If you hesitate to step outside for a smoke or pause before you reach for a cigarette, that means you still have willpower. Every time you try to quit, you learn something about yourself and your smoking. You’re stronger now than ever before.
But you can do this! Just take it one tobacco-free day (or hour) at a time. If you didn’t smoke for a whole day, or smoked two less cigarettes in a day – that’s a win worth celebrating. Be patient with yourself and build on small successes. If you were able to smoke less yesterday, can you wait until after work to smoke today? Can you skip smoking altogether tomorrow?