I think it's worthwhile to be reminded of something that Casey said a few days ago.
"Quitting doesn't happen at once. Research scientists have found that most people try to quit seven times before they succeed, and unsuccessful quit attempts, while frustrating, are actually part of the process of quitting." - Casey, Support Specialist, SSC.
[url=http://www.stopsmokingcenter.net/support/viewmessages.aspx?topic=38703&forum=16]Original posting here.[/url]
We naturally want the the very best of results for others who are quitting, and we know that the addicted mind tells itself all kinds of things to justify smoking, so we feel compelled to be very honest, even brutally honest, with others who have embarked on their quits. And we do that, not out of a lack of concern... but out of an abundant concern.
However, the reality is that most of the people who are ultimately successful in quitting are people who have tried to quit several times before. And why is that? Addiction to cigarettes is extremely powerful. Many millions of people have gone to their graves as active addicts, even though they knew they needed to quit, even though they desperately wanted to quit... and even though many of them tried.
We'd all like to believe that not only do we know what it takes to quit, but that we also feel quite assured about our present efforts. "This time" we're going to be successful, whether "this time" is the first time... or the 10th time. And some of us will be successful, while the majority will not be. This time.
The main thing is that none of us is willing to give up on ourselves. If we've learned the lessons that will insure a long term recovery from smoking, then we're in a very good place. If someone isn't quite there yet, then we encourage them to be honest with themselves and to keep trying.
Having a cigarette is not the recommended way to quit smoking, but if someone does have one... then, pragmatically, there's only one thing to do; learn from the experience and get back on the horse.
The alternative is a lot more pain, and perhaps death. And lets be realistic... some people do choose death over quitting, even if they never entirely admitted that to themselves. And addiction can do that; it can be so powerful that some will choose cigaret