Quitting smoking is one of the hardest things to do, and it's completely normal to struggle with it — even after a COPD diagnosis. The good news is that many people have been in the same boat and found ways through it.
One of the biggest hurdles is understanding what triggers the urge to smoke. Triggers tend to fall into a Show Full Answer
Quitting smoking is one of the hardest things to do, and it's completely normal to struggle with it — even after a COPD diagnosis. The good news is that many people have been in the same boat and found ways through it.
One of the biggest hurdles is understanding what triggers the urge to smoke. Triggers tend to fall into a few categories:
- Behavioral – driving, finishing a meal, talking on the phone
- Environmental – being around other smokers, certain locations
- Emotional – stress, boredom, anger, or even happy feelings
Once triggers are identified, having a plan to deal with them makes a big difference. There are many approaches that have helped others with COPD quit smoking. Some options to explore with a doctor include:
- Nicotine replacement – patches, gum, or lozenges
- Prescription medications – such as Chantix or Zyban
- Alternative therapies – acupuncture or hypnosis
- Gradual reduction – slowly cutting down cigarettes over time
- Cold turkey – stopping all at once
Keeping hands busy also helps. A MyCOPDTeam member suggested having a hard candy, using a stress ball, or picking up a two-handed hobby like knitting or crocheting to fight cravings. If there have been relapses, that's okay — it's very common. A MyCOPDTeam member shared this advice: *"Don't quit quitting. It took me eight attempts over a couple of years, but it was the absolute BEST thing I've ever done for myself."*
Taking it one day at a time and not putting too much pressure on yourself can really help. Calling the free quit line 1-800-QUIT-NOW is also a great resource for extra support.
May 31
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