Strategies and Skills for Quitting: Step 5

Be prepared for relapse ~
But don't plan for them -- plan against them!

Most people are not successful the first few times they try to quit smoking. (I've failed many times before but am really enjoying my success now.)

Don't beat yourself up. Make a list of things you learned, and think about when you want to try again, such as next week, next month, or next spring.

You might try something new next time, such as a new medicine or program or hypnosis like I did the last time. You might try combining tools, such as counseling and medicine. Keep trying, and don't be fooled by light cigarettes, or reducing your smoking. Neither one appears to make smoking safer.

Quitting tobacco use when you have other medical conditions.

If you have depression, anxiety, or similar problems, or if you have had an alcohol or drug use problem, try to care for that problem before you try to stop smoking.

Some people who have had one of these medical problems find that the problem returns when they try to quit smoking. If you have any of these problems, talk to your doctor before you quit.

After you quit, seek help right away if you see signs that the problem is returning.

Smoking can also affect the level of several medicines in your blood. If you take medicines for a health problem, talk with your doctor before you quit smoking to see whether you should alter the dose.

There you have it -- Five Steps to becoming Tobacco Free!

Keep Logging on for other helpful hints in our countdown to a

Smoke Free 2010!