It amazes me how much support (or lack thereof) can really affect a smoker’s quit. For some, not having much support is okay. In fact they’d even prefer it. However, for others, they wouldn’t be able to move forward in their quit process without it. In my eyes, there is no right or wrong, but more so a who or how? Let me explain:

What does support look like for our participants? It could be the faces of family or friends, co-workers, pets, people in group meetings. It could be verbal support, written in emails or chats online. Perhaps it’s a voice on the phone or even one’s own face in the mirror.

Not only is it important to know where one might get their support, but HOW they get it is also imperative. I hear things like, “my boyfriend is going to support me, but he’ll probably buy me a pack if I get too cranky,” or, “my wife is always on me about quitting because she doesn’t like it.” Is this helpful? Some people respond to this kind of support with an “I’ll show you” attitude and really work hard to stick to their quit, while others may fall right back into their addiction.

Some people don’t have others around to support them on a regular basis and need to rely on the online resources or call in for professional support. Some people prefer this method due to the fact that there is a ‘disconnect’ or barrier of sorts when communicating through these means. Since there’s no face-to-face interaction, this can help to calm peoples’ nerves and allow them to talk freely and openly about what they’re going through. It’s safe.

Then there are those participants who are their own support. They rely solely on themselves and no one else. Sometimes they even prefer to keep their quit process so secret, they don’t even tell anyone else they’re quitting. They come up with a plan that works for them and push themselves with determination . . . and maybe a few calls from us Quit Coaches too.

No matter who our participants get their support from or how they like it, a Quit Coach is always there. We are not the “smoking police.” We will not hold you at gunpoint and demand that you put down that cigarette. We do, however, know there’s more to quitting that just not smoking.

How can we support you today?