What if I Relapse When Trying to Quit Smoking?

Writing about this topic, for me at least, is a double edged sword, so please allow me to clearly state my personal opinion on this very controversial matter before I go on.

If you are thinking about quitting smoking, do not make plans for, nor allow for any ’slips’, ‘just ones’ or any ‘accidents’ for that matter. The old saying goes - ‘If you fail to plan, you plan to fail’ but I would also like to add to that the advice of ‘If you plan for slips or accidents, you are more likely to have one as opposed to if you adamantly tell yourself that there will be no allowance for moments of weakness.’

Having said that, it does happen, so here is what I recommend you do. Chastise yourself until you feel completely guilty. Realistically I don’t have to tell you this part because you will automatically do it to yourself anyway. Then once you have raked yourself over the coals, contact your support group (you do have a support group, don’t you?) and let them know what has happened. Use their strength to rebuild your resolve.

If by chance you have had more than one ’slip’ or have repeated ’slips’, it is time to be honest with yourself. I know that a lot of people are going to disagree with me on this, but please don’t send me any letters because I have probably spoken to more smokers and non-smokers about this subject than most people. My advice is this. Stop trying to fool yourself into thinking that these occasional slips are fine and are just part of the normal quitting process - they aren’t!

If you are continually ’slipping’ you are doing yourself more harm than good because the ‘just ones’ are eventually going to turn into what you used to smoke or more. Believe me, it happens every time.

If continual slips are occurring, you are better off to realize what is happening and admit to yourself that you have failed this time. And that’s okay, because it is better that you admit it, write this attempt off, and go back to finding the information and incentives you need to quit successfully than to relapse slowly back into oblivion. Better to realize that you have missed your target this time around and get back on a new and better course than to continue on smoking for the next twenty years.

Be strong, stay strong and be Free!

Darren Warmuth

Darren Warmuth is the developer and founder of the End the Habit Stop Smoking Program.

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Darren Warmuth starte smoking at age 9. After multiple attempts to quit, he finally devised his own system and quit in just four weeks, a system that will work for anyone who uses it. Contact him through his "End the Habit" stop smoking method website.