Coping with quitting
Worried about coping with quitting?
Congratulations on giving up smoking
You will start to feel the physical, mental and financial benefits almost immediately.
With a tailored plan and the right support from your Stop Smoking Service advisor, and by using stop smoking aids like Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), prescribed mediations or a nicotine vape, you can deal with cravings, manage triggers and avoid relapsing.
How can I stay quit?
Here’s more information on how you can stay smokefree now that you’ve stopped smoking.
It’s important to understand in advance what triggers you to smoke so that you can take the necessary steps to avoid them. Recognising these triggers will prepare you and help you find alternative coping mechanisms.
It is important to have a plan in place for how you will manage those situations now that you are smokefree.
A top tip from ex-smokers is to think about the common times and routines during your usual day when you would usually smoke or find it hard to stay smokefree. By changing your routine, this can often help you form new habits that don’t involve smoking.
Remember, it will get easier the longer you are smokefree.
It can be difficult to manage nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms during your quit attempt, but knowing in advance, what to expect and how to manage these cravings can make it easier.
Using nicotine replacement products, such as patches, lozenges, gums and spray, or using a nicotine vape, are a clean source of nicotine without the danger of inhaling the thousands of life-threatening chemicals and tar found in tobacco. They will provide you with a low level of nicotine which can manage urges and can help you quit smoking for good. They are a useful stop-smoking aids and are available from your local stop smoking service or at your local pharmacy.
There are several products for you to choose from. Using two different types of NRT (usually the patch and one of the oral products) is often advised. A tobacco dependence adviser can help you find the best combination of products for you.
Understanding your triggers and quitting tips
Find more information about understanding your triggers and how to manage your cravings.
What are your triggers? Choose from the list below to find out more
Do you reach for tobacco as soon as you wake up? When you wake up, your nicotine levels are at their lowest so you might have a strong urge to smoke. Click on the image to learn how to deal with this.
Do you smoke more when you are stressed? You can get caught in a negative cycle of smoking and stress. Click on the image to learn how this affects your physical and mental health.
Smoking doesn’t relieve anxiety, it can actually increase it. Click on the image to find out more about how nicotine could be affecting how you feel.
When you get that bored feeling, your brain immediately craves a cigarette. Click on the image to find out why keeping busy and distracting yourself is still so important.
There are lots of things you can do reduce the urge to smoke. Click on the image to read our advice so you can enjoy a smokefree night out.
Whether it’s a night out or a break at work, it’s OK to say no to a cigarette with friends or colleagues. Click on the image for more on stopping social smoking.
Guides to help you now that you’ve taken the first steps to stop smoking
Stop smoking calendar: How to give up smoking this year
Stop Smoking Calendar: A tool to help you stick with quitting
Quitting smoking tips that really work
Quit Smoking Tips: Overcoming Past Failures – Every Day is a New Start
Nicotine withdrawal symptoms
Tobacco Withdrawal: Understanding the challenges of quitting smoking
Need help with your quit smoking motivation?
Quit Smoking Motivation: A guide for Londoners
