So your spouse has decided to finally kick the habit.
They’re starting their journey of saying ‘No’ to cigarettes.
But this may be easier said than done.
As their spouse, you should enlist yourself as their sponsor and moral support.
When a recovering addict is on the path to get clean, it’s never a good idea to leave them to it on their own. It’s only too easy to slip back into old habits.
So be their guiding light in these trying times.
7 Ways to Help Your Spouse Stop Smoking
Learn the Basics
One of the first steps to helping your spouse quit smoking is to educate yourself about available options.
Start by reading up on nicotine replacement products and medications.
Things like nicotine patches are tools that aid in smoking cessation.
According to the American Thoracic Society (ATS), varenicline (Chantix) is usually the most effective medication for individuals dependent on tobacco.
Help Manage Withdrawals
Withdrawal symptoms are the number one enemy of recovering addicts. Including smokers.
Withdrawals are a tricky thing; they are a common side effect of discontinued drug use.
The normal symptoms you normally hear about like mood swings, attention problems, insomnia, headaches, etc. are all caused by the body learning to function again without cigarettes.
Smoking cigarettes for a long time severely impacts the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain like dopamine which plays a crucial role in feelings of reward, pleasure, satisfaction.
When you go cold turkey, the body has to learn to make its own dopamine again.
Explore Alternatives
Don’t just rely on drugs or over-the-counter aids. There will be a small chance that these won’t work on some people.
But there are a lot of other alternative method to curb tobacco cravings and cigarette withdrawals.
Hypnotherapy is one example, which shows a lot of promise for eradicating addiction.
Eastern medicine like Ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture have also been studied as being great aids for recovering smoke addicts.
Whether they are placebo or actually work is beside the point.
Find what works and trust the process.
Know the Triggers
There are many reasons why people keep going back to cigarettes.
Just like babies who depend on a pacifier or bottle as a form of self-soothing, adults too have their own ways of coping with reality.
Things like depression, anxiety and even boredom and exhaustion require us to look for an escape.
Identifying your spouse’s triggers is essential for helping them stay clean.
One good coping mechanism is exercise as it is both healthy and can help release some dopamine.
Banish Temptations
Your spouse will constantly be tempted to go slip back into their addiction.
Everywhere you see there’s someone smoking cigarettes, or advertisements about cigarettes.
There will also be times when you are not able to monitor your spouse’s surroundings.
They could be hanging out with their friends who smoke and you will have no idea if they’ve fallen off the wagon.
Instead of being a helicopter spouse, constantly hovering over them to make sure they behave, trust that they have enough discipline to resist.
But don’t be afraid to go mama bear on your spouse’s friends either. Remind them not to smoke in front of your spouse, or offer them any cigarettes.
If your spouse wants to start vaping or using e-cigarettes as a lesser evil, discourage this suggestion.
There is simply too much overwhelming evidence that vapes are just as bad if not more than traditional cigarettes.
Reward Milestones
When your spouse reaches a milestone, don’t forget to rewarding their monumental progress.
Regardless if they’ve only been clean for a month, or two months or a year.
Commemorate these milestones to provide much-needed positive reinforcement for their efforts to quit smoking.
Plan special activities like a date night, weekend getaway, shopping trip, or surprise them with thoughtful gestures such as gift cards, handwritten notes, flowers, or compliments.
These gestures will not only make your spouse feel appreciated but also continue to motivate them to stay smoke-free.
Encourage Professional Help
While your support is invaluable, it is important to recognise when outside help may be necessary.
Sometimes your current efforts may not be enough, especially if smoking is tied to childhood trauma or something more serious.
Your spouse may also be experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms or finding it challenging to quit. In these cases, consider seeking professional, medical help.
Behavioural therapy, for instance, can be a life-saver for many people.
And while you may not be qualified to offer medical advice yourself, you can be there as a source of moral support during therapy sessions.
Help your Spouse Kick the Habit
Remember, quitting smoking is a personal journey, but your role as a spouse could not be more important.
Thankfully there are ways you can show your support and keep your loved one on the straight and narrow.
This includes educating yourself, managing withdrawals, identifying triggers, banishing temptations, and celebrating milestones are all important steps.
By providing continuous support and being there every step of the way, you can help your spouse kick the habit and embark on a healthier, smoke-free life together.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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