One of the most common vices in today’s society which exists despite adequate knowledge of its potential hazards is definitely Smoking. And while there are plenty of people who admit to it being a vice, they are unable to quit despite of wanting to. The following are some of the pointers which need to be kept in mind while dealing with difficulties in quitting smoking:

1. Quitting smoking is not only restricted to will power. Yes, contrary to popular belief, telling a person simply to use their inner strength and will power to Quit Smoking is not actually helpful, especially as dependence on nicotine could also be viewed as a medical model, as can most other kinds of addictions. Therefore, the physical, psychological, and to a large extent the psycho-social context associated with such habits also need to be kept in mind.

2. It is a myth that smoking relieves stress. In fact, nicotine has a tendency to increase the individual’s predisposition to anxiety and restlessness, despite of the temporary sense of relief and calm. Therefore, it is important to remember that inhaling nicotine gives an adrenaline rush for a short time, which smokers misinterpret as a relaxation. And when the effect wears off, they experience withdrawal symptoms which are interpreted as stress, hence creating a vicious cycle.

3. It isn’t really that difficult to quit smoking. It is a challenge being faced by a large section of the population today, and yes there are a lot of people who are successfully able to quit the same. The knowledge of its hazards, and considering the easy accessibility of professional help today, quitting smoking is actually easy as soon as the person decides to quit! So, instead of living in a world of false hopes and dreams, its necessary for you to come to terms with reality and be honest to yourself.

4. Resisting temptations while sustaining motivation is the key. If you have been smoking for some time now, it is likely that you would be able to identify your triggers, for example, the times of the day when you feel the urge to have a smoke, or the people around whom you get tempted to have a smoke, or maybe certain places or situations, for instance when you’re driving or waiting alone.

5. A strong support system helps. Be it families, friends, or even peers, the support of a strong social network can go a long way in helping the individual quit smoking. Such a support system can help not just in the regularization and modification of the individual’s routine but can also serve as a foundation for the individual to be able to rely on. But what is also important to remember is that such a social system should not be constantly monitoring or nagging the individual, but instead be available and be there for the person during this process of change.

6. Last, but not the least, be open to seeking the help of a professional. Be it helping the individual to deal with the withdrawal symptoms, or to be able to offer alternatives to rely upon for example electronic cigars, nicotine gums, etc., or simply medications which can help in reducing the craving or creating an aversion. Furthermore, psychological support can also go a long way in helping the individual make a decision to quit smoking, and improve sustenance of motivation levels, rather than simply procrastinating and struggling with the guilt of not being able to quit alone.