Creating a Support System for Quitting Tobacco: How to Get Help from Friends and Family
"When all the dust is settled and all the crowds are gone, the things that matter are faith, family, and friends" - Barbara Bush
We often underestimate the power of the 3 Fs: Friends, Family, and Faith. In an era when global pandemics decide to play checkmate, the last thing we need is the menace of tobacco-related illnesses. But how to quit tobacco? We understand that tobacco dependency is real. The mammoth task of quitting tobacco can be an overwhelming journey. But you do not have to do this alone. Ask for help.
It's great to be a lone wolf, but let's not underestimate the magnitude of quitting tobacco. Your friends and family are waiting to help you. All you need to do is ask. Check out some ways to create a support system for quitting tobacco with their help. 
Tobacco And Smoking Cessation Methods
Most people who quit tobacco have a strong circle rooting for them in the back. While some choose to seek help, others don't. If you are part of the former group, it is important to understand that asking for support is a sign of progress. The tools you use to quit tobacco make not so much of a difference as the circle you move around in. Smoking friends can double your chances of a relapse, but this also means having a smoke-free community as reinforcement makes quitting easier. Talk about your struggles and tell loved ones how they can help you quit tobacco.
Ways You Seek Support From Friends & Family When Quitting Tobacco:
- Ask Them To Be There
Quitting tobacco and want some help? Ask your friends and family to be there for you through it all. They could whip up a comforting meal, bring you healthy alternative foods, and ensure you stick to your quit-smoking plan. Let them be your go-to person during social or work events that can spark smoking urges.
- Allow Them To Show Concern For You When Quitting Tobacco
Permit your friends and family to express concern about your health by checking up on you regularly. More than 70% of smokers each year want to quit, and just 40% of those try. Your loved ones will be an added motivation for you to quit tobacco- let them have your back.
- Let Them Celebrate Your Progress
Quitting is a day-to-day process. Understand that every day spent without tobacco is an achievement in itself. Celebrate milestones, even the smaller ones, like going 24 hours without tobacco! Sticking to the quit-smoking plan is a big leap of self-control- let your family and friends be a part of celebrating your quit-smoking journey.
- Help Them Understand Your Behavioural Changes
When quitting tobacco, you will find it hard to decipher your mood swings. These can be anything from anger and anxiety to irrational arguments and increased appetite. Encourage your tribe to understand addiction and withdrawal to support you towards a tobacco-free life fully. They can be your calming energy only if they know these changes are to be expected.
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What Your Family and Friends Should Not To Do When You Are Quitting Tobacco:
- Ask Them To Avoid Constant Nagging
A tobacco consumer understands the harms of consumption. Share with them that If you have chosen to move towards a healthier lifestyle, they must not constantly nag you about what has already happened or if you slip up occasionally. Ask them to stay as positive as you and to be a positive force in your quit-smoking journey, especially on difficult days.
- Ask Them Not To Doubt You & Your Will Power
Every individual is different. While some quit cold turkey, others prefer a more gradual transition into a smoke-free life. This does not define a person's willpower to quit tobacco. Seek your family's support to fortify your resolve to quit cigarettes forever, and ask them to believe in you and your ability to do this.
- Had A Relapse? They Must Not Give You A Hard Time
Slip-ups are more common than anyone of us think. Use them as springboards for being more strict with yourself and seek encouragement from your family and friends. If they occur more frequently, ask them to help you find external resources that can keep you on the path to quitting tobacco.
- Request Them Not To Consume Tobacco Around You
Quitting tobacco is not an overnight journey. When trying to usher in a positive change in your life, urge your loved ones to support you by refraining from consuming tobacco when you are around them. Creating a smoke-free environment is one way to help distract smokers from the urge to light a stick.
Tobacco cessation has higher success rates when you use different resources towards your quit-smoking journey. While you call in your team of reinforcements, ask your doctor about NRT. Sugar-free nicotine gums like RYZE are excellent alternatives to help quit smoking. Available in tantalising flavours, these gums slowly release nicotine to manage sudden cravings and deal with withdrawal symptoms effectively. Consult a doctor before starting any NRT product.
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Conclusion
Quitting tobacco is a difficult task, understandably so. Your friends and family may not understand what withdrawal can feel like. Include them in your journey and give them an insight into the symptoms you may encounter. Communicating with your loved ones will help them nurture you with much-required love and support. You have the power to break free from the grasp of tobacco, and building a support system increases your chances of success.
