Willpower and Smoking

 

Willpower and Smoking

Some people attempt to quit smoking completely through willpower instead of understanding that cigarette smoking is an addiction.  The body is physically addicted to the nicotine and no matter how much an individual thinks that have the will power to do it on their own because they feel they’re strong willed.  The addiction to nicotine quite often is stronger than the willpower to stop just to stop.  People often need to change their behavioral patterns throughout all the parts of their lives in which smoking played a roll.  It’s important for people that want to quit to identify all those patterns of behavior that drive them towards smoking and how to replace those behaviors with other things instead of the cigarette.  Deeper relationships need to be created with things other than the cigarettes, like working out, eating better, or personal relationships.  Only 5% of people who quit “cold turkey”, or through will power alone, remain non-smokers after six to twelve months.  Most relapse within 8 days.  Failure is to be expected and should be looked at as dress rehearsals to get to the point where someone can finally get it right.