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Are You Ready for Change?

Making the decision to quit is hard, but it has to be your decision. No matter how many times your doctor, friends or family try to convince you to quit, you have to want to quit. Once you have made the decision to quit and started to think of yourself as a non-smoker, you are well on your way to your big quit day.

These next sections will help you understand the nature of your addiction and what you can do to kick the habit. As you read, feel free to make notes to yourself.

Remember: thinking of yourself as a non-smoker is one of the most important aspects of quitting. If you think of yourself as a non-smoker you will succeed.

Self-Assessment

People smoke for a variety of reasons. Some say they find smoking to be relaxing; others enjoy the taste. Others say they smoke because it gives them energy, or they need it to take the edge off when they are upset.

Think about why you started smoking. Did you start because of peer pressure? Did you think it would make you look cool, sexy, or macho? Did you want to be "grown up"?

Now, think about why you are still smoking. Do you enjoy the taste? Does smoking give you stimulation, or is it relaxing? Do you pick up a cigarette without even knowing it? Do the reasons why you started smoking still apply?

The main reason most people smoke is that they are addicted to nicotine. According to the 1998 Surgeon General's report, nicotine is more addictive than any other drug including heroin, cocaine and opium. Find out if you are addicted to nicotine by taking the nicotine dependence test (PDF format, 10k).

People have all sorts of reasons for why they started smoking and why they still smoke. The addictive nature of nicotine plays an important role for many. Just as there are many reasons for smoking so there are also many smoker types. The following list of questions will help determine your type:

Stimulator

Smoke to keep from slowing down, to perk themselves up, to give themselves a lift

Handlers

Enjoy holding the cigarette, the act of lighting up, and watching the smoke as they exhale

Relaxers

Smoke to feel pleasure and comfort

Stress Reducers

Smoke when they are angry, upset or worried

Nicotine Cravers

Find it unbearable to be without cigarettes, are often unaware that they are smoking, and have a gnawing hunger when they do not smoke

Habit Smokers

Often unaware that they are smoking, light up when they still have one burning in the ashtray, and sometimes do not remember lighting up

NOTE: You may fit into more than 1 category.

Remember your smoker type, as you will need to know it when we talk about methods to resist cravings.

Continue reading: Goal Setting

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