My Relapse Came Out of Nowhere...

My smoking background

I started smoking at the age of 15 due to friends smoking and other people smoking around me.I decided to try one and became hooked on a 20 a day habit for 10 years. Up until a week ago, I had been smoke free for a month and a half (which was a big accomplishment for me)

How I relapsed

I think it was mainly due to a combination of boredom and stress...the same routine day in and day out made me crave a cigarette even more. On top of that, I had to have a pet euthanized which was a horrible experience for me. I woke up one morning and realized I hadn't put a patch on as I had been doing everyday for 6 weeks. I went 9 days without the patch being on and was feeling confident that I could do it without, and then bam, out of nowhere I found a cigarette in my boyfriend's packet, took it to the bathroom with me and lit it. I am due to start wearing the patch again tomorrow and hopefully I will find it easier this time.

Lessons learned

• I learned that it really doesn't matter if you have the best of intentions (oh I'll just smoke one and that'll be it), the addiction grabs a hold of you all over again and before you know it you're back to smoking the same amount of cigarettes or more than you did before. It tastes absolutely horrible! Before I relapsed I didn't actually notice how bad it tasted. I realized that cigarettes smell and make my clothes smell and my hair smell (it's not just the non-smokers making that bit up to put you off). A friend of mine and I are going to quit together this time, which hopefully will make it easier!

Terry Martin, Smoking Cessation Guide, says:

5 Steps That Lead to a Smoking Relapse Mental adjustments are part of the healing process when we quit smoking. Be patient with yourself and seek support if you feel that your motivation is beginning to slip. Do this before you reach for that cigarette and you can ward off a smoking relapse.