Slips and relapses are normal with quitting, but you can learn from your mistakes.
Many smokers try several times to quit smoking for good. Relapses are regular, but you can build your skills to stay on track.
Now What I Slipped
Slip means having one or two smokes after quitting. Just one puff counts as a slip that is different from a relapse. Waning is going back to your old routine of smoking. With a slip, you can use this opportunity to learn from your mistakes.
A slip is only a temporary setback, and keeps reminding yourself of this. When you do not smoke, be proud of yourself as you have not failed or are back to square one. Why did you slip? Can you identify the reason? What will you do if this happens the next time when in the same situation? Knowing your common triggers as a man or woman helps you understand what is causing them to happen.
These slips are excellent opportunities to try something different. To help download, diarize the time and location when you slipped to know when you need support. Think about your life without smoking to increase your chance of staying smokefree.
Talk to your doctor to help with medication to quit smoking if things do get too much. Alternatively, chat with an expert to help you stop.
Now What I Relapsed
It is okay. You’re not alone if your slips end up in a relapse, making you go back to smoking. Just keep trying. As for some, it takes several tries to quit. If you are not ready to quit for good, you can get a reminder with text messages to help you prepare to stop with Smokefree.gov.
- If you are not ready, try the Daily Challenge every day for a week. Taking small steps teaches you to deal with your stressful situation, cravings, and triggers.
- On the other hand, you can use the practice quit to stop smoking for a short time before actually quitting for good. Once you can master it for one, two, or five days consider using the SmokefreeTXT for a longer quit.
Quitting Smoking is a Process
There are times you will struggle, leading to a slip or relapse. For every person, it is normal and part of being smoke-free. Keep learning what is best for you and apply what you learn to your successive quit attempts. Stick with it. You can do it.