If you've tried to quit smoking before and failed, or if you are currently thinking about quitting, it's always a good idea to find out what exactly is involved in the process of quitting. It's important for you to know what you will go through while fighting your smoking addiction so that you are more prepared to deal with the possible scenarios.
Smokers who quit smoking usually go through 5 stages, with each stage having distinct psychological features. There's an appropriate way to handle every stage to ensure that you progress into the next phase and eventually succeed in kicking the habit entirely.
Stage 1: Pre-Contemplation
Pre-contemplation is the first stage of the quit smoking process. It's fairly common for smokers to quit in response to peer pressure; i.e. friends, family, and colleagues pressuring him/her to quit smoking. In reality, the person does not actually want to quit, but is compelled to do so due to external factors. In other words, the person may attempt to quit not because he/she is wholeheartedly ready, but because he/she caved in to pressure. When the process begins with these circumstances, the most likely result is that the smoker will soon regress and resume smoking, because their motivation is inappropriate or insufficient.
Stage 2: Contemplation
Contemplation is the second stage in the process. At this point, the intention to quit smoking is present, but the smoker does not intend to do anything about it in the imminent future. Said smoker knows why he/she should quit, and most likely agrees with these reasons. However, during this stage, he/she still finds justifications for the habit, with the abstract and distant notion that he/she will one day quit.
Stage 3: Preparation
The third stage is preparation, which can be perceived as a prelude to the actual process of quitting. The smoker has a desire to quit and has in fact taken small steps towards this direction. In most cases, these steps are intended to ease the transition, such as decreasing cigarette consumption on a daily basis, or changing to a lighter brand.
Stage 4: Quitting
Fourth among these stages is actually quitting. During this period, the smoker is determined to quit and has taken steps towards achieving this goal. As the smoker stops smoking, he/she has to deal with withdrawal, fight the intense urge to smoke again, and generally try to adjust to a non-smoker status. This phase can last from six months to an entire year.
Final Stage: Post-Quitting Maintenance
The 5th and final stage is called post quitting maintenance, which usually begins 1 year after quitting. During this period, a relapse is a distinct possibility. Approximately 75% of smokers who quit are inclined to resume the habit in the 1st year after quitting. However, this does not imply that their efforts are wasted, since studies indicate that it takes about 3 tries to totally kick the habit. Although a relapse is typically considered as a setback, this should not discourage anyone from trying again and trying harder the next time.
In conclusion, you should know and understand the six quit smoking stages so that you are more equipped to deal with each specific situation that you will most likely face. Knowing where you stand in the quit smoking timeline will enable you to assess your progress and motivate yourself further until you ultimately quit smoking for good.
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