Tips for friends and family of quitters
The quit-smoking process can be really difficult, but the support of family and friends can help ease some of the hard times. By lending a hand and offering encouragement along the way, you're playing a key role in helping your friend or loved one quit smoking for good. But really, how can you help? For starters, people who quit smoking often like to have something to chew on, so why not keep a supply of nutritious foods in the house? Or how about trying one of these other tips:
• Do things together to pass the time. Play cards or board games, watch videos, go for walks or just talk.
• Give support and encouragement, but don't act like a policeman or a watchdog. Nagging doesn't help - it can actually make people want to smoke.
• Be a good listener if the ex-smoker wants to talk about cigarettes. But don't force them to talk if they don't want to.
• If you smoke, consider quitting. If you aren't ready to quit, hide your cigarettes and try not to smoke in front of an ex-smoker. Go outside to smoke and ask others to do the same.
• Expect mood changes. For a while, ex-smokers can be in a bad mood - angry, nervous and even irritable. The bad mood is part of the withdrawal process, and it will pass with time. Just try to be patient with them as they're going through this process. It's also important to remember that even if you used to smoke, you can't know how hard or easy quitting is for another person. Everyone's path to quitting is different, so never tell the ex-smoker he or she is making too much of a fuss about it.
• And finally, if the smoker is using a non-nicotine replacement prescription medicine containing bupropion hydrochloride or varenicline, stay alert to any serious mood or behavior changes or an intent to cause harm. Varenicline and bupropion have been associated with reports of behavior changes including hostility, agitation, depressed mood, and suicidal thoughts or actions, according to the FDA. If you notice serious signs in someone who is taking varenicline or bupropion, urge the smoker to stop taking the drug and to call a health care professional right away.
Source: American Heart Association