Understanding Slips and Relapses
Understanding Slips and RelapsesThere comes a point in time after you quit, when you may slip and have tobacco. But what can you do toprevent a relapse?If you do use tobacco after you have quit, don’t use it as an excuse to give up.Treat it as a learning experience. Identify what caused you to slip. What can you do to prevent it fromhappening again?Most slips happen when faced with a trigger.Stress is one of the most common triggers. Learning how to cope with stress without tobacco can be a lengthyprocess. Be mindful of how you are feeling in a stressful situation.Therapies such as journaling, meditation, exercise, and removing yourself from a situation can be very helpfulways of practicing coping with stress. Be kind and take care of yourself.Remember your triggers and the coping skills you have developed to stay away from temptation.But if you use tobacco, forgive yourself and be tobacco free again.However, it’s extremely hard to remain tobacco free if you use a tobacco product here and there.Your brain has nicotine receptors that become inactive when you don’t smoke for a while. Starting to usetobacco again will wake them up and cause cravings for more.Another reason for a slip or a relapse could be weight gain. Many people gain pounds when they quit as theirmetabolism stabilizes. Ask yourself, “what can I do to prevent weight gain?”Do you choose healthy snacks like fruits and veggies? Does food taste better now and that’s why you’re eatingmore?Are you eating more in response to stress?Do you get enough exercise?It would take a weight gain of 75-90 lbs to equal the stress on your heart caused by tobacco.If you do gain weight, most people gain an average of 5-10 lbs.If after everything you’ve done you relapse, set another quit date and try again.Remember why it’s important to you to quit.Review your list of reasons you quit. You can quit for good.Prepare for your new quit date. Talk with your healthcare provider. They can offer support and other tips tohelp you get back on track.This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.VER59495B EN UnderstandingSlipsandRelapses.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 1 of 2Understanding Slips and RelapsesMost people will quit several times before they quit for good.“If somebody did slip up after they’ve quit it’s not the end of the world. I mean, you can get back ontrack and, you know, don’t beat yourself up about it.”Slips happen. But you can handle a slip and not let it turn into a relapse. Remember your coping skills, reachout for support and get back on track to stay quit.This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.VER59495B EN UnderstandingSlipsandRelapses.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 2 of 2
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