Hi everyone,

When we quit it is important to be prepared. You will be faced with situations that will trigger the urge to relapse or slip. We call these high-risk situations. Review this emergency coping plan to help you deal with these situations. If you feel the urge, or are tempted to slip: 

AVOID the situation.

Identify the situations when you normally smoke or feel cravings. For most, high-risk situations include work breaks, finishing meals, having coffee or being in a bar. Plan how you will avoid these situations for a few weeks. Plan for alternate activities. 

LEAVE the situation.

If you find yourself in one of these high risk situations, leave if you can. And, leave before you get a craving. 

DISTRACT yourself from the craving.

If you find yourself in a situation you can't leave and you get a craving, distract yourself from the craving by: 

• Thinking about something else, like your Benefits of Quitting (or how much money you’re saving every week, how your body is healing itself).
• Doing something else to distract yourself like drinking water or deep breathing exercises.
• Thinking about an upcoming event in your life, such as a vacation.

DELAY acting on the craving

If you can't keep your mind off it, then make a deal with yourself that you will wait 5 minutes before you give into the craving. The craving will usually pass in a couple of minutes anyway. If you delay, the craving will go away.

Use SELF TALK

A craving may be accompanied by negative thoughts about your ability to resist it. Use positive self talk statements to combat your negative thoughts. 

What have you done during a tough crave or situation?

Ashley, Health Educator