Boston Smoke-Free Homes - Helping a loved one who smokes

Helping a loved one who smokes

Anyone who has ever tried to quit smoking can tell you that it’s no easy feat to quit. And, it’s even more difficult to stay quit. Most smokers report struggling with cravings for quite some time after quitting. In addition, there are many social and environmental triggers (being around friends who smoke, a morning cup of coffee, a long car ride) that can cause a smoker to reach for a cigarette after quitting. As a friend or family member of a smoker, it is important to understand how difficult it is for that smoker to quit in order to enable you to be helpful to them in their quit attempt.

Why is it so hard to quit?

Cigarettes and other forms of tobacco are addicting. Nicotine is the drug in tobacco that causes addiction. (U.S. Surgeon General)
“Addiction is characterized by compulsive drug-seeking and use, even in the face of negative health consequences, and tobacco use certainly fits the description.” (National Institute on Drug Abuse)
Nicotine is both physically and pscychologically addictive.
Most smokers are not successful in quitting smoking on their first attempt. “The majority [of smokers] persist in tobacco use for many years and typically cycle through multiple periods of relapse and remission.” (U.S. Public Health Service Clinical Treatment Guidelines)

So is it possible to quit and stay quit? Absolutely! And the support and encouragement of family and friends can make all the difference.