I started smoking again after 2 months of abstinence and 3 extra kilos...

It is essential that you look at this from a positive point of view. You now know that you can live without tobacco: you did make it to the second cessation phase, didn’t you!

But before you try again, you must change your lifestyle and dietary habits. It is strongly advisable to consult a dietician or nutritionist who will help and support you during that second try.

I went back to smoking at a dinner party with friends...

If you started again accidentally, at a party for example, relapse is easier to handle. You must react immediately, so that these few cigarettes smoked at a party, do not turn into a more significant relapse.

The danger consists in thinking: “2 or 3 cigarettes can’t be that bad…I can handle the situation: this does not mean I have taken up smoking again”. Unfortunately, this is not true: remember that once a smoker, always a smoker… in other words you cannot tell yourself that you will suddenly become an “occasional” smoker (*).

I have already given up twice, how can I make sure I won’t start again this time?

Each relapse is another step towards success. It will be much easier to resist now that you’ve experienced and learnt from your mistakes; you are now capable of understanding and analyzing why, how and with whom you previously relapsed. You are aware of the traps to avoid (alcohol drinks, coffee…) and recognize risky situations (parties, company of smokers, stress, anger, depression …). You are ready to succeed this time!

I quit, I start again… It’s too difficult, what can I do?

First of all, you need to re-motivate yourself and tell yourself you can stop for good! You can apply a few strategies to help you go through those tricky situations, but you can also go to a specialist who will help you physically and psychologically give up your old habits. When you stop smoking, there is no such thing as failing: we actually speak of deferred successes.

I stopped smoking on my own but started again. Is help available?

Of course! Your pharmacist or GP are generally perfectly qualified to help you. They can recommend a nicotine replacement therapy that will help reduce withdrawal symptoms or follow up on your smoking cessation progression. On average, one month of follow up gives a 10% success rate, two months a 20%, three months a 30% rate and 4 to 6 months, a 40% and above success rate.

 

(*) Source: Lagrue G., Arrêter de fumer ?, Paris, Editions Odile Jacob, 2000.