Smoking is a challenging addiction to overcome. If a family member is trying to quit, support from the people around them will make a big difference in breaking the addiction. However, for the help to be effective, it is essential to use the right approach. Understand there are many ways to encourage and show support to smoking addicts, and what works for one person may not work for another. It is a process that calls for patience as you will encounter reluctance at some point, and it is normal for those who have been smoking for a long. Here are the top ways with effective help you can use along the way.
1. Cheer for them
Since breaking the addiction is a huge challenge, your loved one communicating their intention to quit is a significant step. Your response to this step will determine a lot in the following step of committing to the choice. Ensure your response is encouraging them by assuring your presence to help whenever they need you. Show them it is possible to achieve it and the benefits they will enjoy from quitting to inspire them positively. If they are starting and slip in the process, cheer them up for the time they tried and encourage them to focus ahead and fight for their quitting goal. If he finds it difficult, remind him it is possible, and every attempt is a big win to celebrate.
2. Offer practical help
A practical approach to helping your family member quit smoking is effective, especially when you know how to go about it. Generally, if you are a smoker, be the example by trying to stop yourself. For non-smokers, research everything about smoking to ensure you offer informed support. Understand the substances smoked and their place in the community, culture, and information on their positive and negative accountability. For example, there are states where marijuana is legal for medical and recreation but only allowed for 21 years and older. A California dispensary, like Embarc, sells products that help smokers quit tobacco and reduce their urges to smoke. When you know more about the situation, it is handier to identify activities and conditions that may tempt them to slip back to smoking and help them avoid it. It will also be easier for you to be around for them with information. Listening to them is a great way to substitute smoking time, including exercising together but generally try to spot their motivation and capitalize on it for better outcomes.
3. Recognize and suggest when its time to seek outside help
Breaking the addiction takes effort and dedication. It may be challenging to achieve due to the associated withdrawal symptoms. When the symptoms are severe, some alternatives can bridge the suffering and reduce the chances of a slip. There are smoking cessation programs accessible in health centers, government programs, educational and workplace environments. It is an excellent place to look for help because they are resourceful and have the intervention proficiency. Another advantage of seeking help from cessation programs is meeting and interacting with others in quitting smoking who can be a great source of social support, which can be empowering. Keep in mind. Smoking addiction affects an individual’s lifestyle, and this change can lead to lapses. Therefore, ensure their daily activities also develop to match the quitting process’s progress by creating an enabling surrounding.
4. Understand their withdrawal period
When quitting smoking, the withdrawal symptoms tend to be hostile and intense. The victims have anger issues because they quickly get irritated, have anxiety, which mainly causes difficulty focusing, suffer restlessness affecting sleep, and increased appetite, leading to weight gain. Physical and emotional support is vital because they show empathy, and they need it to keep fighting for progress.
Helping your family member quit smoking is about keeping them on track to succeed in it every day. Your support plays an essential role in building their ability to stop the addiction, thus requiring your persistence and devotion. It is a difficult position, significantly if their addiction emotionally and physically damages you, but necessary preparation can allow you to find a ground to balance yourself. Measuring the approach is a profound way to find the right level of support as it will enable you to set up realistic expectations and give them space.
