Get Support to Help Quit Smoking
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It often takes many attempts – and some help – to succeed at anything. Quitting smoking is no different. Find support to help you quit.
Quitting is personal but you are not alone
Look at these numbers from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health:
• in 2014, 43% smokers aged 18+ made a serious attempt at quitting (going without smoking for at least 24 hours) in the past year
• in 2014, 32% of smokers 18+ said they intended to quit in the next 30 days, up from 23% the year before
Cold turkey
Cold turkey is not for everyone. (Maybe you’ve tried.) Some people can pick a date and time to quit –and stick to it. They stop lighting up and live with the effects of nicotine withdrawal, with no help at all.
Quit gradually
You may find it easier to quit gradually. Smoke less often, smoke fewer cigarettes in a row or try to go longer between smokes.
Some people battle the addiction by developing new habits:
• using matches instead of a lighter because they run out sooner and are harder to light
• putting cigarettes in an out-of-the-way spot instead of having them on you, so you have to go get them
• butting out after half a cigarette instead of finishing it
• delaying your first smoke of the day by an hour and then adding another 15 minutes to the time before the next one, a half hour to the next and so on
To quit gradually, write down a plan and stick to it. Writing down why you want to quit, and how you’ll do it, makes it more real. You’ll be more committed.
Being more committed, you’ll probably want to talk to other people who get it: former smokers whose own attempts seemed destined to fail – but weren’t.
Talking to friends and co-workers, you may find a buddy – someone who wants to quit with you, who’ll help you stick to the plan.
Counseling and support groups
Talk to your doctor about getting individual counseling or joining a support group. You can also contact your local public health unit. Coming up with strategies to quit or sharing stories about quitting may be what you need to succeed.
Or try the Canadian Cancer Society’s Smokers’ Helpline by:
• calling (toll-free) 1-877-513-5333
• visiting the Smokers’ Helpline website to register for online programs and text-message support
Medical treatment
You’ve seen people chewing gum. Someone rolls up their sleeve to reveal a patch.
Nicotine-replacement products reduce withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor about these over-the-counter products or about a prescription that can help you quit smoking for good. Some drugs – what’s in the patch, for example – can help increase your chances of success.
Ontario Drug Benefit recipients
You can take part in a cessation (quitting) program in which you work with your pharmacist.
Tips to help you quit
If you’re still trying to decide between quitting gradually, counseling and support groups, or medical treatment, try some simple tips.
Make lists
Try making a list of the:
• situations when you smoke to help you identify what triggers you to light up
• benefits you see in quitting and keeping it handy so you can re-read it
• activities you picture yourself doing instead of smoking, like going for a walk or run
Get moving
Exercise relaxes the mind and body, and helps repair some of the damage smoking has done to your health.
Avoid triggers
Figure out what situations make you crave a cigarette and try to avoid or change them. If you usually:
• smoke while drinking coffee, try tea or water instead
• smoke at parties, try to avoid them until you feel confident about enjoying these occasions without smoking
Reduce cravings
Try these simple activities – even if they sound too simple – to reduce your nicotine-craving:
• breathe deeply to help yourself relax
• drink water to keep your hands and mouth busy (it helps flush the toxins from your system, and you can raise a glass to your success)
Health Canada guides
Whether it’s your first or fifth attempt to quit smoking, Health Canada’s guides will help get on the road to quitting.