Quit smoking - Vouloir arrêter de fumer
I'm taking it day by day (version française)
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You've
succeeded: you've stopped smoking, and that's fantastic. Now you have
to be careful not to start again, because the desire to smoke can last for
a very long time.
As much as possible, avoid situations where there's a risk you may want to smoke and, above all, don't think that you can occasionally smoke a couple of cigarettes. Most smokers who do that, start again. Remember the downside of cigarette smoking and all your efforts to finally stop.
Be particularly careful when you are with friends who are smoking, when you drink alcohol, are stressed or going through a difficult time. Always be proud of having stopped smoking.
If you do smoke a cigarette, take control again immediately. You have not become a smoker again, and you don't want to become one, either. Continue to ask for the support of those close to you, your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. They will be happy to help you remain a non-smoker.
If you do begin to smoke again:
Don't get too upset. Instead, tell yourself that:
- Most smokers have to try several times before actually succeeding in quitting.
- You managed to stop for a certain period of time, and that was fine.
- You have learned from your experience. You know what you will be able to do better next time around.
- You have seen the upside of not smoking, and that can help you.
Give yourself another chance. Think of the reasons that convinced you to quit smoking, and get ready to try again.
"The only real failure is to stop trying."
Have confidence in yourself. The next time you quit smoking you're bound to succeed!
" I was unhappy about my smoking. I was always afraid of falling ill. I couldn't climb the stairs without getting out of breath, and I felt non-smokers looked down on me. On the other hand, I was afraid I couldn't quit, and so I just continued. One day, my doctor told me, "Try to quit. Don't bother about the next 30 years, take it day by day. Whatever happens, you can be proud of trying. If it doesn't work the first, second or even third time, you will have learned something, your will to quit will become stronger and, eventually, you'll succeed."
I quit smoking on my fourth try. It's now been a year, and I know
that I won't be starting again..."
Sandra P., age 54.
Source : Lacroix Chantal, M.D., Tremblay Michèle, M.D., Gervais André, M.D., The Will the Power ... to Quit Smoking. Direction de la santé publique. Régie régionale de la santé et des services sociaux de Montréal-Centre. 2000, 26 p. ISBN : 2-89494-231-1.
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