Many people try quitting smoking often before they finally succeed. Slips are a common part of quitting.
A slip is one or two cigarettes after you quit. For most people, even “just one puff” counts. If you have a slip (“I’ll have just one”), it could be harder for you to stay smokefree. But a slip is different from a relapse. A relapse means going back to smoking regularly.
You can learn from slips. Remind yourself that you’ve had a temporary setback. You have not failed and you’re not back to square one. A slip doesn’t make you a smoker again. It also isn’t an excuse to relapse and go back to smoking regularly.
Prepare yourself to recover from slips and avoid a relapse. Think about how you will avoid or handle your triggers and deal with cravings.
