If you're one of those who have tried to discontinue smoking before and failed, or if you're currently deliberating quitting, it's constantly a good idea to learn the nuances of the process of smoking cessation. It's important for you to understand exactly what you will face while struggling against your smoking habit so that you are better able to deal with the various possible situations.
Individuals who stop smoking often undergo five (5) stages, with each step possessing unique psychological manifestations. There's evidently an applicable way of handling each and every step to guarantee that you proceed to the next stage and in due course succeed in defeating your smoking habit completely.
Stage 1: Pre-Contemplation
Pre-contemplation is the 1st phase of the smoking cessation process. It is somewhat customary for most people to try to quit smoking in response to peer pressure; like for instance, friends, family, and colleagues pressuring him or her to kick the habit. The truth is, the said individual does not actually mean to stop smoking, but is somehow compelled to do so due to outside causes. In other words, the individual may try to quit not because he or she is particularly willing to do so, but because he/she surrendered to pressure. If the smoking cessation process begins under this scenario, the most likely conclusion is that the said person will at some point regress and resume smoking, in view of the fact that the motivation is inappropriate or inadequate.
Stage 2: Contemplation
Contemplation is the next phase in the smoking cessation process. At this stage, the desire to stop smoking is present, but the individual does not want to stop smoking in the foreseeable future. Said person is aware of the reasons for stopping smoking, and in all probability agrees with such reasons. Nonetheless, during this stage, said person still manages to justify the addiction, with the intangible and remote concept of someday quitting smoking.
Stage 3: Preparation
The next stage in the stop smoking process is called preparation, which can be seen as a preface to the actual quit smoking process itself. The said person has a sincere intention to cease smoking and has even taken small measures to achieve that goal. Typically, these steps are intended to make the transition easier, like, for example lowering cigarette consumption per day, or switching to a light/filter brand.
Stage 4: Quitting
The 4th stage in these stages is the actual quitting. During this stage, the person is determined to not smoke anymore and has taken steps towards achieving this goal. As this particular person stops smoking, he or she has to face withdrawal, withstand the compelling urge to resume smoking, and basically adjust to his/her new non-smoking status. The 4th quit smoking stage can last from 6 months to one year.
Final Stage: Post-Quitting Maintenance
The 5th and final stage is known as post quitting maintenance, which usually starts about one year after giving up smoking. At this point in time, relapsing is entirely possible. Around seventy five percent of people who gave up smoking are inclined to resume the habit in the initial year after the attempt. But, a relapse should not signify that their efforts have gone to waste, since researches demonstrate that it takes about three tries to quit smoking for good. Although a relapse is generally deemed a a few steps back, this should never deter anyone from attempting again and, consequently, exerting more effort next time.
In general, you must get to know the six stages of the smoking cessation process so that you will be more ready to cope with each specific circumstance that you will in all probability meet. An understanding of where you stand in the stop smoking timeline will allow you to evaluate your progress and inspire yourself further until you in due course stop smoking for good. - 15437
Individuals who stop smoking often undergo five (5) stages, with each step possessing unique psychological manifestations. There's evidently an applicable way of handling each and every step to guarantee that you proceed to the next stage and in due course succeed in defeating your smoking habit completely.
Stage 1: Pre-Contemplation
Pre-contemplation is the 1st phase of the smoking cessation process. It is somewhat customary for most people to try to quit smoking in response to peer pressure; like for instance, friends, family, and colleagues pressuring him or her to kick the habit. The truth is, the said individual does not actually mean to stop smoking, but is somehow compelled to do so due to outside causes. In other words, the individual may try to quit not because he or she is particularly willing to do so, but because he/she surrendered to pressure. If the smoking cessation process begins under this scenario, the most likely conclusion is that the said person will at some point regress and resume smoking, in view of the fact that the motivation is inappropriate or inadequate.
Stage 2: Contemplation
Contemplation is the next phase in the smoking cessation process. At this stage, the desire to stop smoking is present, but the individual does not want to stop smoking in the foreseeable future. Said person is aware of the reasons for stopping smoking, and in all probability agrees with such reasons. Nonetheless, during this stage, said person still manages to justify the addiction, with the intangible and remote concept of someday quitting smoking.
Stage 3: Preparation
The next stage in the stop smoking process is called preparation, which can be seen as a preface to the actual quit smoking process itself. The said person has a sincere intention to cease smoking and has even taken small measures to achieve that goal. Typically, these steps are intended to make the transition easier, like, for example lowering cigarette consumption per day, or switching to a light/filter brand.
Stage 4: Quitting
The 4th stage in these stages is the actual quitting. During this stage, the person is determined to not smoke anymore and has taken steps towards achieving this goal. As this particular person stops smoking, he or she has to face withdrawal, withstand the compelling urge to resume smoking, and basically adjust to his/her new non-smoking status. The 4th quit smoking stage can last from 6 months to one year.
Final Stage: Post-Quitting Maintenance
The 5th and final stage is known as post quitting maintenance, which usually starts about one year after giving up smoking. At this point in time, relapsing is entirely possible. Around seventy five percent of people who gave up smoking are inclined to resume the habit in the initial year after the attempt. But, a relapse should not signify that their efforts have gone to waste, since researches demonstrate that it takes about three tries to quit smoking for good. Although a relapse is generally deemed a a few steps back, this should never deter anyone from attempting again and, consequently, exerting more effort next time.
In general, you must get to know the six stages of the smoking cessation process so that you will be more ready to cope with each specific circumstance that you will in all probability meet. An understanding of where you stand in the stop smoking timeline will allow you to evaluate your progress and inspire yourself further until you in due course stop smoking for good. - 15437
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