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The key to living
as a nonsmoker is to avoid letting your urges or cravings
for a cigarette lead you to smoke. Don't kid yourself even
though you have made a commitment not to smoke, you will
sometimes be tempted. But instead of giving in to the urge,
you can use it as a learning experience.
First, remind yourself
that you have quit and you are a nonsmoker. Then look closely
your urge to smoke and ask yourself:
- Where was I when
I got the urge?
- What was I doing
at the time?
- Who was I with?
- What was I thinking?.
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The urge to smoke after
you've quit often hits at predictable times. The trick is to anticipate
those times and find ways to cope with them without smoking. Naturally,
it won't be easy at first. In fact, you may continue to want a
cigarette at times. But remember, even if you slip, it doesn't
mean an end to the nonsmoking you. It does mean that you should
try to identify what triggered your slip, strengthen your commitment
to quitting, and try again.
Look at the following list
of typical triggers. Does any of them ring a bell with you? Check
off those that might trigger and urge to smoke, and add any others
you can think of:
- Working under pressure
- Feeling blue
- Talking on the telephone
- Having a drink
- Watching television
- Driving your car
- Finishing a meal
- Playing cards
- Drinking coffee
- Watching someone else
smoke
If you are like many new
nonsmokers, the most difficult place to resist the urge to smoke
is the most familiar: home. The activities most closely associated
with smoking urges are eating, partying, and drinking. And, not
surprisingly, most urges occur when a smoker is present.
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