Not his first attempt, but I want to do whatever I can to encourage him to stay on the wagon this time. I don’t have any experience of this, so I’d appreciate any tips from those who have been there already.
Edit 02/10: he’s still clean!
It’s been 5 years or so since my last cigarette, and I still desperately crave one when I’ve had a beer or five, especially when there are other people smoking nearby (like at a pub).
For these first few months, try to socialise in places where booze and other smokers aren’t going to mix - like getting blasted at your house instead of your local. Ignoring the cravings does get easier, but for the first while being out of the way of temptation definitely makes things easier.
(Also replacing tobacco with weed is a bad idea, since you’ll just end up smoking as much weed as you used to smoke tobacco in order to stave off the cravings then you’ll be drooling on your sofa all day with a small packet of wotsits and a large box of shame and oh the humanity)
I quit about three months ago. It’s going to be difficult, and then even more difficult, but there will come a time where it’ll only get easier but only if you stick with it. Good luck to your friend!
Good for your friend! Only thing that you can really do is be there for him and encourage him - he’s the boss of this but good luck to him.
Only thing that ever worked for me was vaping. Patches, gum and everything I’d use to wean off but I’d start smoking again very soon after. Going cold turkey never worked for longer than a week.
I think the first vape I had was 2012 and I’ve used one since. Genuinely changed my life. I don’t really have plans to quit vaping.
I gave it up a few weeks ago after years. I’m sure your friend can do it too!
Reduce smoking first. This diminishes the craving. Switch to nicotine vape, this breaks the association with the cigarette. Taper nicotine dose over time, further diminishing the craving. Switch to nicotine lozenges, this breaks the association with inhalation. Taper the dose to zero.
A big part of smoking addiction is the behaviours and habits. Desire to smoke is triggered by familiar settings where it is customary to smoke and it is those settings that one should avoid. You cannot go back to your old routines like drinking in the pub and expect it to be easy. You can find healthy alternatives like joining a sport club, where your increasing lung capacity will motivate you.
