A pep talk about persistence, for when it’s not going well.
Most people who quit smoking make several attempts before giving up cigarettes for good.
Recognize that this is a challenging process, because you’re dealing with breaking an addiction. Arm yourself with as many tools and as much support as possible. And if you relapse, forgive yourself – and try again.
Typically, it takes five or more attempts to quit smoking for good. (If you get there sooner, fantastic!) Even people who gave up cigarettes many months ago report that sometimes they still crave a cigarette. Long after your body rids itself of nicotine and other chemicals contained in cigarettes, certain situations that you associate with smoking may awaken some cravings – like being around people who are smoking, or watching co-workers head out for a smoke break.
“Tobacco dependence is a chronic condition,” and some people relapse – and then keep trying, and eventually they successfully stop smoking, says Dr. Hilary Tindle. She is the founding director of the Vanderbilt Center for Tobacco, Addictions and Lifestyle.
So don’t give up. Remember that while staying smoke-free may feel difficult sometimes, it’s the single best thing you can do for your health.
Need more inspiration, or help as you try to quit smoking? Check out these resources:
- Dealing with cravings
- How to quit if your spouse still smokes
- Where to find support
- Quitting improves your health in 20 minutes
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posts from people who have quit smoking. These are eye-opening, blunt conversations, sure to provide some inspiration.
Checking lung health
Getting a lung screening at a Vanderbilt Health location enrolls you in yearly screenings, which check for lung cancer. They give you access to support that can help you quit smoking. Vanderbilt radiologists are specially trained in reading lung CT scans, so they produce fewer false positive readings (results that say you have cancer when you do not) than lung screenings at other locations.
Talk with your health care provider about whether lung screening is right for you. If you do not have a health care provider but would like to be screened, call 615-322-0580 for assistance.
