Quit Smoking Stages

Last Updated on Friday, 14 October 2011 07:43 Written by admin Friday, 14 October 2011 07:43

If you attempted to discontinue smoking in the past and relapsed, or if you�re currently deliberating quitting, it�s constantly an excellent idea to learn the factors involved in quitting. It�s essential for you to know exactly what you will go through while defeating your smoking addiction so that you are more ready to deal with the various possible scenarios.

Those who attempt to quit smoking frequently undergo 5 stages, with each step showing distinctive psychological manifestations. Evidently, there is a proper means of handling every step to make certain that you more forward into the following phase and in due time succeed in kicking the habit for good.

Stage 1: Pre-Contemplation

Pre-contemplation is the 1st step of the process of smoking cessation. It is comparatively customary for most smokers to quit smoking in response to peer pressure; for example, friend, colleagues, and family pushing the smoker to quit smoking. In reality, the smoker does not sincerely want to quit, but is pressured to do so thanks to external variables. In other words, this smoker may try to quit not because he is completely willing, but because he or she succumbed to peer pressure. If the smoking cessation process begins with these conditions, the most probable result is that the said person will at some point regress and take up smoking once more, given that the motivation is inadequate or inappropriate.

Stage 2: Contemplation

Contemplation is the next step in the quit smoking process. At this point, the decision to kick the habit is clear, but the individual does not mean to quit smoking in the near future. The said person is aware of the reasons for quitting smoking, and in all probability agrees with such reasons. Nevertheless, at this phase, he or she still manages to justify the habit, with the intangible and remote idea of one day quitting.

Stage 3: Preparation

The third phase in the quit smoking process is known as preparation, which can be viewed as a preface to the actual process of quitting itself. The said person has a sincere intention to quit and has even taken small measures to achieve that goal. Mostly, these measures are intended to ease the transition, like reducing the number of cigarettes one consumes each day, or alternating to a lighter brand.

Stage 4: Quitting

The 4th stage among these stages is actual smoking cessation. During this period, the individual has finally decided to quit and has taking action to execute this plan. As the said person quits smoking, he/she has to go through withdrawal, exert effort not to give in to the compelling desire to resume smoking, and basically adjust to a new life as a non-smoker. The 4th stop smoking stage can last from 6 to 12 months.

Final Stage: Post-Quitting Maintenance

The 5th and final stage in the smoking cessation process is known as post quitting maintenance, which usually begins approximately a year after quitting. At this point in time, a relapse may occur. Approximately 75 percent of individuals who quit tend to resume smoking during the initial year of the process. However, this should not imply that their efforts are wasted, since clinical studies show that it takes about 3 tries to completely quit smoking. Though a relapse is generally deemed a a few steps back, this should never deter anyone from trying once more and, of course, exerting more effort next time.

In a nutshell, you should become acquainted with the six smoking cessation stages so that you will be more equipped to cope with each specific circumstance that you will in all likelihood face. A knowledge of where you stand in the smoking cessation timeline will enable you to assess your progress and inspire yourself further until you eventually give up smoking for good.

To download your copy of the Free Quit Smoking Guide, and to read more articles related to Stop Smoking In Stages, please visit this quit smoking website.