Issue link: https://www.hub.camaf.co.za/i/847333
7 GETTING SUPPORT No man is an island. No woman either. When faced with challenges, some support is often very helpful. quitting is a challenge. there are really three aspects here: • IndIvIdual support & counsellIng. This will be especially useful for people who feel they "need" their cigarettes to feel happy, relaxed, and confident, as these deeper issues respond well to individual counselling techniques. • group support. This is a long-established option and is helpful for nearly all smokers trying to quit. • Informal support. Simply talking to friends and family about your quitting will create tremendous support and assistance, practically and emotionally. Just talking about it is a powerful ally when you quit. • support-group members do have more quitting success but the results are quite variable between groups and methods. AVOIDING TRIGGERS You know what this is about. There are times and circumstances when you are more "at risk" of smoking. triggerS include: • Waking up • the first cup of morning coffee or tea • Driving • Finishing a meal • Drinking alcohol • Socialising This is very individual area and what is important is to identify the most powerful triggers for you and to make plans on handling these. Your plans might need to include simply avoiding the trigger (e.g. not going to parties for the first week or two), changing your routine (e.g. taking a brisk walk first thing in the morning), or creating new habits (e.g. enjoying some quality coffee as an after-meal treat). Some deliberate planning is crucial here (do not get taken by surprise) and a bit of creative thinking helps. What abOut GOOD OlD-FaShiOneD COlD TURKEY? Well, it can work. Some people do quit this way. But the statistics show that you can at least double your chances of success by using quitting aids and having a plan. Who wouldn't want this sort of advantage?!