If you're one of those who have tried to quit smoking in the past and did not succeed, or if happen to currently thinking about stopping, it is constantly an excellent idea to find out the nuances of the process of quitting smoking. It's important for you to know exactly what you will encounter while struggling against your smoking habit so that you are better prepared to manage the various possible conditions.
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 first phase of the process of smoking cessation. It's fairly usual for smokers to quit smoking in response to peer pressure; like for example, family, friends, and colleagues forcing him or her to give up smoking. The truth is, this smoker does not actually want to quit smoking, but is somehow pressured to quit because of external factors. Therefore, this smoker attempts to quit smoking not because he or she is particularly prepared to do so, but because he or she surrendered to external pressure. If the smoking cessation process starts off under these circumstances, the most likely outcome is that this individual will soon regress and relapse, since the motivation is lacking or inappropriate.
Stage 2: Contemplation
Contemplation is the second stage in the stop smoking process. At this point, the desire to quit smoking is evident, but the smoker doesn't wish to do something in the forthcoming future. Said person is consciously aware of the reasons for quitting, and most likely agrees with such reasons. Nevertheless, in this stage, said smoker still manages to justify smoking, with the remote and abstract notion 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 among the smoking cessation stages is actual smoking cessation. During this stage, the smoker is committed to not smoke anymore and has even taking action to execute this plan. As this smoker stops smoking, he/she has to face withdrawal, struggle against the often overwhelming urge to resume smoking, and in general adapt to a non-smoker status. This phase can last from 6-12 months.
Final Stage: Post-Quitting Maintenance
The fifth and final stage in the stop smoking process is called post quitting maintenance, which typically begins approximately a year after giving up smoking. At this time, a relapse may occur. Approximately seventy five percent of people who gave up smoking are inclined to resume the habit during the first year after the process. On the other hand, a relapse should not connote that their efforts were useless, since studies show that it takes about 3 attempts to stop smoking for good. Although a relapse is commonly perceived as a setback, this should in no way discourage any smoker from attempting once more and, of course, exerting more effort next time.
In a nutshell, you should understand the implications of the six stages of the stop smoking process so that you will be more prepared to cope with every particular circumstance that you will in all likelihood encounter. Understanding where you stand in the stop smoking timeline will enable you to measure your progress and inspire yourself further until you eventually kick the habit 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 first phase of the process of smoking cessation. It's fairly usual for smokers to quit smoking in response to peer pressure; like for example, family, friends, and colleagues forcing him or her to give up smoking. The truth is, this smoker does not actually want to quit smoking, but is somehow pressured to quit because of external factors. Therefore, this smoker attempts to quit smoking not because he or she is particularly prepared to do so, but because he or she surrendered to external pressure. If the smoking cessation process starts off under these circumstances, the most likely outcome is that this individual will soon regress and relapse, since the motivation is lacking or inappropriate.
Stage 2: Contemplation
Contemplation is the second stage in the stop smoking process. At this point, the desire to quit smoking is evident, but the smoker doesn't wish to do something in the forthcoming future. Said person is consciously aware of the reasons for quitting, and most likely agrees with such reasons. Nevertheless, in this stage, said smoker still manages to justify smoking, with the remote and abstract notion 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 among the smoking cessation stages is actual smoking cessation. During this stage, the smoker is committed to not smoke anymore and has even taking action to execute this plan. As this smoker stops smoking, he/she has to face withdrawal, struggle against the often overwhelming urge to resume smoking, and in general adapt to a non-smoker status. This phase can last from 6-12 months.
Final Stage: Post-Quitting Maintenance
The fifth and final stage in the stop smoking process is called post quitting maintenance, which typically begins approximately a year after giving up smoking. At this time, a relapse may occur. Approximately seventy five percent of people who gave up smoking are inclined to resume the habit during the first year after the process. On the other hand, a relapse should not connote that their efforts were useless, since studies show that it takes about 3 attempts to stop smoking for good. Although a relapse is commonly perceived as a setback, this should in no way discourage any smoker from attempting once more and, of course, exerting more effort next time.
In a nutshell, you should understand the implications of the six stages of the stop smoking process so that you will be more prepared to cope with every particular circumstance that you will in all likelihood encounter. Understanding where you stand in the stop smoking timeline will enable you to measure your progress and inspire yourself further until you eventually kick the habit for good. - 15437
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