Saturday Nights, Drinking, and Your Quit

The destruction of many quits has its roots in the seemingly innocent routine of going out with friends for a few drinks. I've read countless posts on livestrong.com from people who just went out for a few drinks to "test the waters" then ended up smoking "just one." Here's the problem: there is never just one cigarette. That one cigarette leads to another, which leads to another, all the way down the road to a pack per day smoker in no time. The best advice I've ever read is summed up in the acronym NOPE: Not One Puff Ever.

I don't suggestion you never go out and abandon all your friends during your quit, but I do recommend you exercise caution. Have an exit strategy on hand. Plan on monitoring your alcohol intake because alcohol destroys your resolve when taken in mass quantities. Another thing learned from livestrong.com: PROTECT YOUR QUIT AT ALL COSTS! Remember that you are fighting for your life. If you are tempted to light up, remember why you are quitting. Go back, look at your reasons for quitting, and then decide if taking a smoke is really what you want to do. Try to use logic when you are tempted. Logic will tell you the sheer illogical nature of smoking. Why are you tempted? Is there something you could do instead of smoking? Do you really want to pump 4000 chemicals into your system?

If you need to leave, because your logic failed you, then by all means leave the bar immediately. Your true friends will understand. Remember in my post on communities I mentioned the importance of letting your friends know about your quit? This is why. Your friends will honor your decision to quit because they WANT YOU TO LIVE LONGER!!!! No one wants to visit you in the chemo ward of a hospital, as you're coughing and gasping for air. Instead, they would much rather miss out on your company at the bar during your quit for a few weeks, then welcome you back with open arms once you're strong enough to drink AND be around smoke without going insane.

You owe it to yourself, your friends, and your family to stay strong. If you are going out tonight, just be safe, have an exit plan handy, and above all remember: NOPE!!!!