Psychological Recovery Stages to Stop Smoking

Those who start smoking young are more likely to have a long-term addiction to nicotine than people who start smoking later in life.

Depression

Depression and sadness often occur when we accept the loss of our “friend.” This is particularly true when no one else seems to know our loss. (Smoking and Depression)
People often experience this in one of two ways:

1. A deep sense of sadness, or
2. A deep sense of deprivation You’ll realize you’re in the depression stage if you’re thinking:
3. “I feel so emotional.”
4. “I feel so deprived.”
5. “Why can’t I have this one little habit?”
6. “Life without cigarettes is awful.”
7. “I feel so lonely.”

Some might call this the “ain’t it awful” stage. You feel as though you’ve lost a good friend. Well, you have. As with any loss, you need to take this in. Then, when you move on, you can recognize what holes you have to fill, needs you have to meet in new ways.
Don’t resist this stage or think it’s crazy to mourn the loss of a cigarette. Take some time and give yourself the right just to feel sad.

Anger

Anger often surfaces when we begin to accept a loss. Most smokers are angry about having to make a change in their lives. They feel their “friend” was taken away unfairly. They’re angry because they feel singled out. Some typical angry thoughts people have may be:

• “Why me? I’m mad I started and mad I had to quit.”
• “Why didn’t someone tell us cigarettes are so harmful?”
• “Lucky nonsmokers. They have it easy.”
• “Why does it have to be so hard to quit?”
• “What about people who are overweight? I don’t see everyone getting on their case.”