DEALING WITH YOUR ADDICTION

Here are five ways to learn what you are addicted to and then to combat your addiction

• For two days, every time you smoke, write down the feelings you had before smoking each cigarette. Were you tired? Bored? Hungry? Fidgety?
• Write down the positive feeling that came from smoking each cigarette. Did it help you relax? Did you feel less bored? Did it help you wake up? Did it help you fall asleep?
• Study your list. You'll probably notice a pattern.
• Next, find things to distract you when you start feeling like having a smoke.
• Also, find replacements for the positive feelings that you get from smoking. If you smoke to relax, figure out how to relax without a cigarette. If you smoke to clear your mind, figure out how to clear your mind without a cigarette.

FINDING REASONS TO QUIT

Quitting smoking is one of the most important things you will ever do. Here’s why:

• You will live longer and live better.
• Quitting will lower your chance of having a heart attack, stroke, or cancer.
• If you are pregnant, quitting smoking will improve your chances of having a healthy baby.
• The people you live with, especially your children, will be healthier.
• You will have extra money to spend on things other than cigarettes.
  
  
  

DEALING WITH SPECIAL SITUATIONS OR CONDITIONS

Studies suggest that everyone can quit smoking. Your situation or condition can give you a special reason to quit.

• Pregnant women/new mothers: By quitting, you protect your baby's health and your own.
• Hospitalized patients: By quitting, you reduce health problems and help healing.
• Heart attack patients: By quitting, you reduce your risk of a second heart attack.
• Lung, head, and neck cancer patients: By quitting, you reduce your chance of a second cancer.
• Parents of children and adolescents: By quitting, you protect your children and adolescents from illnesses caused by second-hand smoke.