How To Avoid Triggers

Learning how to quit successfully means learning how to deal with triggers.  These are things that you associate with smoking, things that remind you of smoking, and things make you feel like giving up.

Trigger:	How to beat it:
Other smokers at home	Tell your family you're trying to quit and ask for their support, or try to get them to quit with you!  If you don't want your family to know, work out a plan to cope with it like avoiding them when they smoke, or chew gum instead.
Negative mood or depression	Find something you enjoy doing, and do it whenever you feel like smoking.  If you like basketball, shoot some hoops instead of lighting up.  If you like to write, or paint, make those hobbies easier for you to get at.  If the urge to smoke comes up, take up your hobby instead.   However, if these symptoms persist, talk to your health care provider. You may need treatment for depression.
In the car, or other areas where you used to smoke	Empty your car, pockets, ashtrays, glove compartments of all smoking utensils.  No lighters, empty packs, cigarette receipts, ANYTHING.  Instead, stuff your areas with hard candy, water bottles, gum, licorice... anything to keep your mouth and hands busy.  Distract yourself from the urge, and it will pass.  You can also try driving in different routes to change the pattern and help you feel like you're making a fresh start.
Lunch break	Eat someplace that doesn't allow smoking.  Sit in the non-smoking sections.  Drink lots of water instead of smoking.  Go to eat with someone who also wants to quit, or someone who doesn't smoke at all.
Friends that smoke	Friends that smoke can often be a pressure to keep you smoking, even if they don't verbally pressure you to smoke.  If you are around lots of people you're close with, and they are all smoking, you might feel like you want to belong.  You might also feel like you'll be more social if you join in with them.  Think about what you would do if your friend told you they want to quit smoking.  Would you laugh at them and tell them you won't be friends with them anymore?  Probably not!  If you would be supportive of your friends, chances are, they'll be supportive of you!  Give it a shot, and tell them your plan to quit.  If none of them support your decision, you might wonder how good these friends really are...
Alcohol and/or caffeine	Sometimes, people feel more like smoking if they have had alcohol or caffeine.  This has to do with the way these chemicals trigger your brain.  If this is the case for you, try avoiding all these substances so you aren't tricked into smoking.

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