Oh My Gosh, I relapsed and now what do I do?

First, Take a deep breath!  You do not have to go back to smoking if you don't want too!  Smoking is a choice!  Your choice. Do you want me to tell you that it is okay?  It is not okay.  When you take the first puff, then you have relapsed and relapses can kill.  Those are facts.  If you think you have time before that happens.. watch out, time will slip up on you. Also Strokes and Heart Attacks can happen anytime and the next puff can trigger it.  Lung disease is a little slower, but once the damage is done, it is done.  Breathing is not an option. We have do it if we want to live.  Take care of your lungs.

I will tell you though, in most support group, you will get a listening ear and also understanding of what you are going through. Often it took most people 8 times of quitting before they could stay quit. Nicotine will have you believing in lies if you let it.  Your best line of defense is other people who have been through it. So I do suggest that you stay in touch with your support system.  It is your hope, your life line.  Even if you have not quit... stay in touch.  If you don't have a support group or system. Get one!  Some suggestion are Nicotine Anonymous, they are online and free and have many meetings a day.

Get rid of your cigarettes! All of them!  Jump back on the wagon as soon a possible. Like now! Just because you had one doesn't mean you have to go back into your addiction full force.  It still is your choice.

Take an inventory of why you smoked. Take responsibility for smoking and the relapse. Correct the things you can about it.  Write out your action plan to stay nicotine free again and talk over with some one who has quit.

Most time, people will do a beat-yourself-up thing.  We drop into a hopeless and helpless scene. Poor, Poor, Poor Me.  This will never work in trying to quit again. It will just keep you smoking. Don't buy into it.  Do some things to stop that process and shut down those tapes.  Shut "No!"  "I can quit and I will quit!" If you find you need help, go get the help you need, either through your Doctor, Friends who have quit, 12 Step Support, Quit smoking support groups or what ever it is that you relate too and can use.  Help is always some where. 

Remember to only quit for today!  Stay in the moment!  You can do this thing.  Don't let anyone candy coat your relapse.  It is serious business.  You are worth the quit!  It's the most loving thing you can do for yourself and for your loved ones.