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Helping Your Spouse Quit Smoking
Helping Your Spouse Quit Smoking
Everyone knows how difficult it is to quit smoking. When smokers attempt to quit smoking, their family and friends would often like to know what they can do to assist in the process. Once the decision has been made to quit smoking, a non-smoker spouse can provide a great amount of support and encouragement.
Whether you are a smoker, ex-smoker, or nonsmoker yourself, the process of quitting smoking is different for everyone. Once your spouse has announced his or her intention to quit, sit down and talk. Find out her expectations. What are his greatest fears? Work through the best ways in which you can help your spouse quit smoking successfully.
If you are a nonsmoker, learn about smoking and nicotine addiction. Read up on the physical and psychological aspects of quitting smoking, especially those associated with the method your spouse has chosen. It may be helpful to join a support group for the friends and family of smokers who are quitting and learn more about others’ experiences. The physical effects of nicotine withdrawal are strongest in the first month, but psychological cravings are likely to continue for several months or more. Learn strategies of dealomg with cravings, so you can be in a position to help your spouse on a daily basis.
Feelings of anger, irritation, and depression are par for the course when a person is trying to quit smoking. As a supportive spouse, you need to be aware that some days will be more difficult than others, and keep in mind what your spouse is trying to achieve. If your spouse is taking out these feelings on you, wait until he is in a better mood and talk to him about how to better handle the situation. Make sure your spouse knows that you are completely supportive of her efforts to quit, but you would like to work with her to find better outlets for her frustration during the process. Be patient!
If you are an ex-smoker yourself, you can empathize very closely with what your spouse is going through. If you are a nonsmoker or a smoker who has never tried to quit, you will not understand first hand the process of withdrawal and recovery from nicotine addiction. But empathy is certainly still possible. Take some time to put yourself in the place of your spouse, and sympathize with the challenge of quitting. If you are making plans for the two of you, certainly don’t make reservations at a smoky restaurant. Needless to say, if you are a smoker, respect your spouse’s wishes and keep cigarettes hidden and outside of the home.
From day one, praise your spouse's efforts. The praise may be in the form of a few words of encouragement or a small surprise gift. Whatever form it takes, your praise shows your spouse that you appreciate the hardships she’s enduring and will support her until she has successfully quit the smoking habit.
Be supportive. What, exactly, does this mean? Many of the actions described above fall within this mandate. Being supportive is an overall attitude toward your spouse’s attempt to quit. It includes doing whatever you can to assist your spouse toward success.
The reality is that the majority of smokers who try to quit are unsuccessful on their first attempt. A year after the first attempt at quitting smoking, only 5-10% of quitters will still be smoke-free. If your spouse has a short relapse or is unsuccessful the first time quitting, don’t judge her or blame her. Nicotine addiction is an extremely difficult habit to break.
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