Being an addict whether it’s alcohol, drugs, or cigarettes is a serious healthcare concern as well as an emotional one. Being addicted to a substance that can damage your body’s natural systems is dangerous, however just because your addicted doesn’t mean it has to last forever. Many people fear their life will always remain the same because they can’t resist the taste of nicotine. But that’s not always the case since there are ways to stop smoking. Some people swear by common remedies while others decide to go unconventional routes whatever you choose to do at least try and heed these nine most common tips and tricks to stop smoking.

1. Make a plan

It’s easy to say you’ll go cold turkey and never smoke again. But most smokers who decide to go cold turkey actually end up smoking in the first two weeks of sobriety. Going cold turkey is not only difficult for the mind to process but also the body. It’s easier if you have a plan in place. To start with, a person should have a final cigarette and make a quit date. The last cigarette will signify to you that you’re done with cigarettes and in a way, it’s a goodbye. After the quit date is when things get tough you’ll no longer smoke, so you need something to do with your emotions. Some people take up a new hobby or sport.

It’s important to channel the emotion you put into smoking into a different activity. Not only will it help decrease the need for cigarettes, but it also allows you to try new things. Therefore, it’s essential for someone who’s interested in quitting smoking to have a plan to manage the triumph and challenges.

2. Know why you’re quitting

Quitting any addiction is a personal choice. But some people don’t do it for the wrong reasons and end up smoking again. If you’re going to quit smoking do it for a worthy cause whether it’s for health reasons, money, or friends and family. It’s vital that you understand what you’re quitting for because if you are struggling to understand, you might fall back into old patterns.

3. Understand there will be difficulties

Quitting any addiction is no cakewalk and smoking is no different. There will be days when all you want is a cigarette. You may even experience withdrawal symptoms, and over time you might gain weight. Some people might find the challenges of sobriety too tricky and smoke a cigarette or two. However, instead of caving to the need of addiction one should understand the difficulties of the day, week, or month. In time these challenges brought on by cigarettes will fade.

4. Talk to family and friends

 Talking is essential when managing an addiction. Since emotions fuel the actions that lead to smoking, drinking alcohol, and drug abuse it can be preventive to speak to someone about your feelings if you have an addiction of some kind. Talking to a family member or friend allows emotions to flee the body without any actions being made. In addition, family members and friends are usually very supportive of one another, and that ensures conversations are positive.

5. You can use medication

Some people find nicotine patches or gum helpful in their sobriety; however, others disagree. While medication can be used after you quit some people say that it furthers your bodies need for nicotine, however, doctors recommend a nicotine patch since it weans your body off nicotine in a systematic way. It is suggested that you follow the instructions the patch provides. Some people don’t wear it long enough and still have a craving for nicotine, therefore, if you decide to use the medication in your sobriety make sure you use it safely.

6. Remember past experiences

Some people believe they will never quit due to past experiences of trial and error. But that’s not always the case. Just because you fail once, twice, or even three times doesn’t mean you can’t improve. All those past attempts still carry great value because you learned something about yourself. Now you know what to avoid when trying again. For example, if you started smoking again because your stress level got too high. Try and keep your stress low. There are many activities you can do to achieve your goal like yoga, listening to music, even swimming!

7. It takes time

When you quit smoking, it will be tough not to fall back into old patterns. Those that do smoke within the first three months of being sober. But if you genuinely want to quit, then it’s best to take one day at a time and build a good social network for yourself. In tough times your friends and family will be the best people go to. Over time, the symptoms and thoughts of cigarettes will fade but depending on how long and how much you smoked they may never go away.

8. Reach out the community around you

There are hundreds of people just like you. If you have questions about quitting or what are the best methods, you can always reach out to the Quitters Circle where they offer the best advice available. In addition, there are always different organizations wanting to help. Feel free to use the services provided to you, and you might see results within months.

9. Age doesn’t define you

You can quit smoking at any age. While the health risks increase as age does it’s more beneficial to your health if you stopped. However, just because you’re of a certain age doesn’t mean you can’t take the steps needed to quit. The withdrawal symptoms may be more intense from the total amount of years you’ve smoked. But you can still quit. The question is, do you want to? If the answer is yes, why not make a plan and talk to your family about your new arrangements?

Quitting any addiction comes with a slew of challenges, but they can be dealt with if you have a plan, a good social network, and understand your intentions for quitting. So live and be smoke-free today!