Tips to help you stop smoking and quit for good

So, you’ve decided to quit smoking – congratulations! But now you’ve got to figure out exactly how you’re going to do it…

It’s a daunting task. But we’ve got the advice on where to go and tips of what to do to help you get through.

John Dicey, Managing Director & CEO of Allen Carr’s Easy stressed that you need to start by changing your viewpoint on smoking. He says:

“Remember – you’re not giving up anything because cigarettes do absolutely nothing for you at all. They provide you with no genuine pleasure or crutch, they simply keep you addicted – a slave to nicotine.”

And considering that 1 in 5 people in the UK still smoke and smoking-related diseases kill over 100,000 people in the UK every year (Cancer Research), it’s safe to say you’ve made the right decision.

Not to mention that as well as obviously being unhealthy, smoking is unattractive and definitely not pocket friendly. So let’s get started…

Get Guidance

There’s no need to go at it alone. There are plenty of free services and treatments that can help you get going and give you the guidance you need.

Visit your doctors to find out what services are available in your local area, and what they recommend personally for you. This includes things like:

You can also speak to charities like Cancer Research and Quit for advice to and guidance throughout your journey.

Research and pick a strategy that works for you

Going to wear patches? Go cold turkey? Seeking therapy?

There’s a thousands different methods, quitting programs, book and dvds to follow, so before diving in, research around to find one that you feel suits your personality and lifestyle.

Following a particular program will help you gain structure and direction in your quitting plan.

Dicey also advises: “I’d always follow advice from people who have stopped successful. Not only that – but stopped without any problems.

"Allen Carr’s Easy way is lucky to benefit from amazing word of mouth recommendations.”

Does the cold turkey method ever work?

While the cold turkey method will work for some, for many of us sheer willpower alone just won’t cut it.

Addictions Specialist Mike Delaneyadvises that for most, going cold turkey isn't the best way forward, no matter you’re addiction.

He says: “Drinking, chocolate, or cigarettes – only per cent of people who stopped altogether reported success in beating their addiction. .. Make sure to wear yourself off. “

That doesn't rule it out completely though. If you so have the right outlook, and genuinely want to quit, it can be done – but much more effectively with the expert support.

Find your support network

To help you curb the habit, make sure everyone you knows is aware you’re on a mission to quit.

Friends, family and colleagues are the best to not only offer you support and motivate you when you need it, but to help monitor your progress.

When you’re close to caving, they can help you stick it out.

Better still, if the people in your everyday life know you’re putting yourself through the challenging task, they may be more understanding if you seem a little more agitated than usual.

“Lean on your friends, but make sure they police you properly, ” warns Delaney.

Dealing with cravings

Beating cravings is the hardest part of quitting, especially when you’re faced with triggers and situations in which you would usually smoke – with your morning coffee, your break time at work, and hardest still, after a glass of wine or two.

Dicey stresses once again that it comes down to changing your mindset.

“If you associate a cigarette with a coffee, tea, drink or break, have your coffee, tea, drink or break and at that moment, instead of thinking: “I can’t have a cigarette now”, simply think: “Isn’t it great: I can enjoy this moment without having to choke myself to death”.

When it comes to socilaising and drinking, it’s important not to miss out on life because now you’re a non-smoker.

And in case you’re wondering, it’s not OK to become a ‘social smoker’ – it doesn’t make quitting any easier.

Dicey stresses:

“If you do, you’ll find yourself back in the trap in no time at all. Never think in terms of one cigarette, always think of the whole lifetime’s chain. Remember: there is no such thing as just one cigarette.”

Delaney advises:

“Addiction is a mental battle, and sometimes it’s easier to simply to distract yourself with something to help you avoid the cravings…. Find something that fills the space.”

Set your self targets and rewards

Just like kids, we tend to work harder at something when have a reward for doing so in sight. When you decide you’re going to quit, set yourself both targets and rewards to motivate you and monitor your progress.

For example, you could save the money you usually spend on cigarettes to use towards a holiday, or for every week you go smoke-free, treat yourself to a small gift.

Thanks to:

John Dicey is the CEO & Senior Therapist at Allen Carr's Easyway. For additional information on Allen Carr’s Easyway Method visit www.allencarr.com

Mike Delaney, Addictions Specialist. See what else he say about overcoming addictions here: