What causes a Smoking Relapse?
Why is it that people who have quit smoking successfully, have a relapse after many years or even decades as a non-smoker?
What actually brings on a smoking relapse?
- Does it just creep up on you, or does the craving attack you, completely out of the blue?
- Will a smoking relapse come back to stalk you when you’re not looking?
What a horrendous idea! The notion of using so much discipline and persevering through months of nicotine withdrawal only to return to the slavery of nicotine addiction – it can actually make the whole task seem hopeless for you; all the while, as you try to become a non-smoker.
But luckily, relapses don’t occur suddenly out of the blue, as the majority of cigarette smokers think.
There are numerous reasons and elements as to why we have a smoking relapse, most are fairly small to start with, but they slowly begin to have the snowball effect, which, together, lead us back to smoking again.
Let’s take a look at some of the most obvious reasons:
- Envy – My friends smoke, have more fun, and are happier than I am.
Is that how you talk to yourself whenever you see a friend smoking while you are in your daily battle, combating the evil weed, working to get rid of your dependency on that poison: nicotine?
Does it make you pity yourself?
Remember, your buddy is smoking due to the fact that he is psychologically and physically addicted to nicotine.
He can’t even begin to think about the battle against it yet.
While you are on the road to a healthier, longer life!
Just think, your success might be the spur he needs to start his own quest to quit smoking.
As a matter of fact, data reveal that 70 per cent of smokers would quit if they could.
So, be proud that you have actively taken actions against smoking.
When you try to quit smoking, there will always be a so-called friend happy to give you a cigarette when you are desperate. I know from experience.
- Self-Deprecation
- Do you feel too weak to remain a non-smoker?
- Are you constantly considering the past attempts you’ve made that failed?
- Do you feel too weak to remain a non-smoker?
Just Hold On For One Moment!
Thinking that way sets you up for failure before you even get started.
Constantly keep an eye on those self-defeating notions that you unconsciously let creep through your mind in your weaker moments!
When a negative thought slips through the net; through it out as quick as you can.
We need to concentrate on positive thinking.
When you master it, and you will master it, you will begin to feel more and more empowered, you will know that you will be the master of addiction to nicotine!
Don’t let your strength of will be weakened by friends who lack willpower.
Rather, help them improve their chances of quitting smoking.
Be responsible for your own actions.
By accomplishing this, you are giving yourself the power to discover solutions not only to smoking but to other issues in your life as well.
- Cocksureness
If self-pity placed you at a disadvantage, the threats brought by over-confidence can be just as ruinous for your program of staying off cigarettes.
Keep in mind, ‘Quitting isn’t difficult,’ it’s the act of remaining a non-smoker where the problems lie for most would-be quitters and where you will most likely have a smoking relapse, so keep that in mind.
Here is a question I often ponder: Why do the health warning signs on a cigarette packet become completely invisible to smokers?
