One of my family member is addicted with smoking and is unable to relax. How can he quit smoking?

Question

That is the way to give up smoking anyway: suddenly and immediately. The effects will be just great but depending on the amount of cigarettes he smokes, there will be a withdrawal reaction. That can be countered by some substitution methods that are useful and eases the withdrawal. His decision to want to quit is very welcome (if that is true) and you must do all you can to encourage and support him. Here are the ways to stop the smoking: First of all it is not easy because there is a lot of conditioning associated with it and these can be spread over the whole day and night!!! When he decides, it must be done immediately and abruptly. Waiting another day will jeopardize the decision. Since he wants to do it I recommend that he seeks the help of a counselor and do it with support. He needs to identify with why he smokes: there is an oral need, the nicotine effect, the psychological effect of covering up some other issue, for style, to impress, etc. He may discover that the reasons may be unimportant at this stage because he has become too addicted and the habit has become compulsive. He should start vigorous exercises, gradually increasing it over a period of time. Do deep breathing exercises every time he feels like smoking (try Yoga), and replace the oral urge with some healthy food substitute to satiate the need, for a little while. If the urge is too strong, then use nicotine chewing gum or nicotine patches, for a little while until the smoking drive reduces, substantially. He may join Smokers Anonymous in his city where the support is really extraordinary for like-minded people who are also in the same situation. Keep him occupied or engaged with interesting activities during the times when it is most tempting. Keep the company of non-smokers for some time i.e. at least for the first 21 days. Above all, announce it to everyone that he has quit smoking. Here?s a piece of very good advice: even if he accidentally/willfully takes a cigarette, it is not the end of the world ? he can start the cessation all over again. He must persevere with the best support until he defeats this addiction. To help process all of the above and to get support, let him go for counseling and persevere with it until he is completely over it.

Saul Pereira · Accepted Answer

That is the way to give up smoking anyway: suddenly and immediately. The effects will be just great but depending on the amount of cigarettes he smokes, there will be a withdrawal reaction. That can be countered by some substitution methods that are useful and eases the withdrawal. His decision to want to quit is very welcome (if that is true) and you must do all you can to encourage and support him. Here are the ways to stop the smoking: First of all it is not easy because there is a lot of conditioning associated with it and these can be spread over the whole day and night!!! When he decides, it must be done immediately and abruptly. Waiting another day will jeopardize the decision. Since he wants to do it I recommend that he seeks the help of a counselor and do it with support. He needs to identify with why he smokes: there is an oral need, the nicotine effect, the psychological effect of covering up some other issue, for style, to impress, etc. He may discover that the reasons may be unimportant at this stage because he has become too addicted and the habit has become compulsive. He should start vigorous exercises, gradually increasing it over a period of time. Do deep breathing exercises every time he feels like smoking (try Yoga), and replace the oral urge with some healthy food substitute to satiate the need, for a little while. If the urge is too strong, then use nicotine chewing gum or nicotine patches, for a little while until the smoking drive reduces, substantially. He may join Smokers Anonymous in his city where the support is really extraordinary for like-minded people who are also in the same situation. Keep him occupied or engaged with interesting activities during the times when it is most tempting. Keep the company of non-smokers for some time i.e. at least for the first 21 days. Above all, announce it to everyone that he has quit smoking. Here?s a piece of very good advice: even if he accidentally/willfully takes a cigarette, it is not the end of the world ? he can start the cessation all over again. He must persevere with the best support until he defeats this addiction. To help process all of the above and to get support, let him go for counseling and persevere with it until he is completely over it.