Thinking of quitting smoking? Research shows non-smokers have a lower rate of alcohol and drug relapses than smokers.
• About 33% of all smokers try to stop smoking each year.
• More than 90% try to quit without any nicotine cessation treatment.
• Most smokers will make several attempts to quit.
• Ultimately, about 50% are successful over their lifetime.
(U.S Dept of Health and Human Services)
I hate statistics when it comes to addiction recovery of any type because of the false conclusions people can draw from them.
Here is the flaw in all those statistics. They assume independent variables. An example is flipping a coin; all factors being equal, over the long run, we expect heads 50% of the time, and tails 50% of the time.
Any addiction recovery is a dependent variable. If statistics say 50% of people recover from something, it is not a random chance of which group you will be in. Your individual actions will determine your success.
When I entered recovery, both smoking and drugs and alcohol, I could care less about statistics. I adopted the belief that if others could do it, I could too. You can’t stop me. I know that is cocky and immature, but it worked enough for a start.
How about it? Statistics say you have a fifty/fifty shot on quitting smoking, but you get to choose which fifty you want to be in. you may want to consider natural ways to quit smoking.
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{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
This is eyeopening information I must say. I had no idea that there less risk of relapse for non-smokers. When I first got into recovery, I actually started smoking again after I had quit for months. I always thought smoking was one of the hardest things to quit but I know if I have the willpower, anything can be achieved.
I say forget the statistics. If you really would want to quit then quit and its all that matters. With this site that offers a lot of methods and tips on quitting smoking, (I do hope I’m one of them) I could guarantee that atleast one person would actually quit smoking.
This is a very tough stage to take a decision. Here you have mentioned that about 50% are successful in quitting smoking. I cannot believe this. Because even a drunkard can stop drinking but it is highly not feasible to quit smoking. I have been telling my dad to quit smoking for the past 7 years. He is not able to do so. What can be done with him?
Agreed that all the statistics in the world are more likely to serve as distractions than to be helpful during a quit.
When that first strong nicotine craving hits, I don’t think that I am worrying about what the percentage of people is who quit cold turkey.
Self confidence is definitely one thing that helps us succeed, along with plain old dogged determination. You have to want it.
Chriss last blog post..How To Make Your Wife Quit Smoking
I couldn’t agree more. So many young people don’t understand all the deadly effects of smoking deadly effects of smoking. Not only that but it’s one of the hardest habits to quit and can be past on to your children. Anyone one who’s a smoker need to try to quite ASAP.
I know what you mean. I am a long-time smoker with absolutely no willpower when it comes to quitting. The reason I’m still alive is because I switched to these new, healthy cigarettes. Check out my blog at healthysmoker.blogspot.com!
Thank you for the information, please stop by my blog and comment!
I totally agree – statistics can be so deceiving. They can be taken out of context and made to look either good or bad for a person. It is all about mindset and the mental game.
Liz@HypnosistoQuitSmoking´s last blog ..Hypnosis to Quit Smoking: Does Hypnosis Really Work?
I have to admit, I was surprised to hear that it was as high as 50%.
But you are right, never mind that, you decide which part of the statistic you are going to be a part of no matter what the number is.
Karen @ QUIT Stop Smoking ´s last blog ..Can Mother Nature Help You Quit Smoking?
As a smoker I am finding that I am addicted to the act of smoking as much as I am the smoke itself. I crave picking something up, putting it in my mouth, stomping it out. I need to have something to do with my hands and I find myself using cigarettes as “thinking” aids.
I am hoping that the newest product out will help me with this. They are called vaporizers, have you heard of them? I am going to try them and even wrote a post about them. if you are as addicted to the act of smoking as I am they my help.
I have also started a simple program to help save other lives by helping buy and distribute vaporizers to other smokers that need or want to quit. People on oxygen that still smoke are d-a-n-g-e-r-o-u-s and vaporizers can stop or at least greatly reduce people blowing themselves up while on oxygen.
Richard´s last blog ..Save Your Life, Then Save Another Life…
Before I quit 4 years ago I tried the nicotine inhaler and it work for sometime but I was getting addicted to the inhaler. I used to watch TV with the inhaler in my mouth for hours. Shortly after a few weeks I went back to smoke regular cigarettes. What worked for me ?, well straight forward cold turkey. One night I ran out of smokes and went to bed that night and the next morning I kept procrastinating in buying a new pack and now is been 4 years thank God.
I also quit smoking cold turkey right after I found out that I was pregnant. I have notice that the majority of people that I know had quit smoking had been cold turkey.
I must say this is very good information that must be seen to smokers like me. I’ve smoke for more than five years and now little by little I stopped it. Thanks for inspiring!
what happens when you quit smoking´s last blog ..Helpful Tips To Quit Smoking
Quitting smoking makes a difference right away-you can taste and smell food better. Your breath smells better. Your cough goes away. This happens for men and women of all ages, even those who are older. It happens for healthy people as well as those who already have a disease or condition caused by smoking. Quitting smoking cuts the risk of lung cancer, many other cancers, heart disease, stroke, other lung diseases, and other respiratory illnesses.
barb mctavish´s last blog ..Quit Smoking For Free With Your Willpower – Yes You Can
I do have to say that we as americans especially, like to know the numbers and they feel they know more when they do. I think that it’s hard, but for the majority, this is just the way that it is, and so we have to lean their way. I think like the term common sense, usually you can get 20 people and get 10 one way and 10 another and then the next group could be 18-2…so what’s common.