Stages of Change – Steps a Smoker Takes As He Decides to Change and Quit Smoking

The Stages of Change Model is a representation showing the steps that a smoker usually undergoes as he battles it out with his nicotine addiction. When a smoker decides to quit smoking, it’s much easier said than done. This is why most smokers need help in quitting especially in understanding the changes that takes place within him. There is no right or wrong way to quit, but there are important elements involved to succeed in quitting.

It all starts with the decision to quit. This is a very important decision since there can’t be true success if you don’t mean what you are about to do. You must be firm in your decision to quit. After making the decision, it’s time to set a specific date to start quitting. Be sure that when this date arrives, don’t ever turn your back on it. To deal with the withdrawal symptoms, equip yourself with the many tools that can help ease the symptoms of withdrawal that are sure to take place. It’s also good to be with family and friends who can offer their much needed support. Lastly, if you are able to succeed in your decision to stop smoking, stay quit for the rest your life.

The stages of change model consists of five important steps. When applied to quitting smoking, these five steps are:

a.       Pre-Contemplation – this is the most unstable stage. The smoker is yet to seriously decide if he really wants to quit smoking.

b.      Contemplation – at this stage, the smoker is taking into consideration a decision to stop smoking yet he isn’t ready to make an attempt seriously. He may find withdrawal symptoms to be the biggest stumbling block why he’s afraid to start quitting or that he’s too busy and stressed out at work to deal with other matters like quitting.

c.       Preparation – this is the planning stage. Here, the person involved sets the date to quit and maps out a plan on how he’s going to go through the ordeal of quitting smoking.

d.      Action – this is usually the first six months when the smoker is quitting.

e.      Maintenance - this is where the ex-smoker stays quit for years and takes steps to ensure he stays at this stage.

The stages of change enables a person to understand what he’s about to go through when he decides to put an end to his habit of smoking. Going through the process of quitting is never easy and so no matter how small a detail may be, as long as it will help the smoker in his battle with nicotine addiction, it still plays a vital role in the whole process.

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