According to studies, most people will attempt to give up smoking many times before succeeding. When smokers who are attempting to quit smoking go back to smoking as they did before they tried to quit, it is known as a relapse. If mom or dad has a relapse, consider it as training for the next time. Don’t give up trying to encourage and motivate your family member. Here are some tips to assist your older relative to stop smoking for good.
Spot Triggers
Smoking addiction is partly physical, but it is also behavioral. You may quickly notice that mom or dad may be accustomed to having a smoke after their morning coffee or after lunchtime every day. These are habitual triggers to watch out for.
Determine which activities or periods of the day they connect with smoking, as these are the most prone to temptation and should be avoided. If you know the moments after lunch will be especially difficult, plan an alternative activity to fill their time, anything that will divert your parents’ attention away from their need to smoke.
See a Doctor
Various over-the-counter medications can help your loved ones minimize their cravings by replacing the nicotine they miss from cigarettes. Speak with your family doctor if over-the-counter remedies don’t work for mum or dad. They can advise whether any of the prescribed anti-smoking drugs are a good fit for your parents’ needs.
Nicotine inhalers and nasal sprays, as well as several antidepressants, are examples. Some of these solutions may be entirely subsidized depending on your Medicaid prescription plan. Check online or call in to see if you can acquire them at no cost or a subsidized rate for a member of your family.
Quit Together
It’s difficult to ask your parents to give up smoking when you’re lighting in front of them. During the first few weeks of the quitting journey, keep him or her away from individuals who smoke, as this might increase cravings. And if you do have to light a cigarette, head out rather than smoking at home.
If you’ve already quit smoking, make a list of all the excellent things you’ve experienced since then. Short-term benefits are cleaner breath, increased energy, and no more stinky clothing, discolored teeth, or smudged fingers. But keep in mind not to bring up how simple it was for you to stop. Most smokers are hooked, and quitting is challenging for them. Instead, remind mom or dad that millions of people in the United States have kicked the habit and that they can too.
Although your loved ones may be aware of the dangers of smoking, many older folks find it tough to quit. Nicotine is a very addictive substance, and many older adults are physically and mentally addicted to it. Most elderly will be counseled by their physicians at some time that stopping smoking is vital for their wellbeing. Your elderly relative may also appreciate the independence that comes with living a smoke-free lifestyle. Use the suggestions above to assist your loved ones in reaching their goal of becoming a nonsmoker.
