HIS & HERS MAGAZINE LOOKS AT HOW YOU CAN GIVE UP SMOKING WITHOUT GIVING UP YOUR SOCIAL LIFE IN THE PROCESS.

Quitting smoking is tough enough, and it can be made tougher when you feel like everyone around you is smoking! If you were a social smoker, it can be difficult to go out with your friends and ignore the temptation to smoke.

You shouldn’t have to quit your social life when you quit smoking. In this article, we’ll show you how to balance both.

Smoking and drinking go hand-in-hand

Keep in mind that smoking and drinking are linked in a way. At the extreme, government data has found that up to 90 per cent of people who are addicted to alcohol will also smoke. Furthermore, smokers have been found to be more likely to drink and have a 2.7 times greater risk of becoming dependent on alcohol than non-smokers do.

This is likely to be because alcohol and nicotine both stimulate the same parts of the brain. When it comes to nicotine, the chemical compound will enter the bloodstream as soon as you smoke a cigarette and rapidly get transported to your brain. Once there, the nicotine will stimulate the brain by creating receptors which release chemicals that give a feeling of pleasure. These receptors will increase in number as smoking becomes prolonged and your brain will become reliant on nicotine in order to release these feel-good chemicals.

Nicotine levels can drop in just 72 hours from quitting cigarettes, but your receptors remain and react with signals for cravings and mood swings. Some people find nicotine patches to be a good tool to help fend off cravings while quitting. Persistence is key, as nicotine receptors will go away with time and your brain chemistry should be back to normal within three months of a quit.

Akin to nicotine, studies seem to show alcohol also brings a feeling of pleasure to the brain. If true, this reinforces the effects of nicotine on the brain. There are suggestions that nicotine and alcohol will moderate each other’s effects on the brain due to the fact that nicotine stimulates while alcohol sedates.

Socialising and quitting go hand-in-hand

Congratulations on your decision to quit smoking! Of course, you don’t want to forgo your social life, but maybe you’re worried that you’ll want a cigarette when you’re out. Here’s how to stick to your goals and still have a good time:

Get back to socialising ASAP

Don’t hesitate just because you aren’t smoking anymore. Everything you did as a smoker, you can do as a former smoker. Holding off too long from social drinking after quitting can create a sense of intimidation. Plus, socialising with friends is an important part of your life. The sooner you teach yourself how to enjoy a drink or two without a cigarette, the sooner you’ll feel like your life is back to normal.

Hang out with non-smokers

Supportive friends and non-smoking friends are a great help during your quitting journey. Who you choose to hang out with can help support your ex-smoking status. Slip-ups can occur when quitters are in the company of other smokers who may not be aware of how to support their quit attempt.

Enlist a quit buddy!

Like the previous point, ask a friend or family member if they will be your quit buddy and invite them along too. A quit buddy is someone who supports your quit. Should you encounter old smoking friends who ask you to join them, make sure they are aware of your situation so they can be respectful. Not only that, you’ll also have your quit buddy to hang out with.

Encourage yourself

A drink may well remind you of smoking, especially if you often had a cigarette out at the pub. Before leaving the house or in the car, be mentally prepared by saying aloud, “I’m a former smoker.” Or try, “I don’t smoke. I’m healthier and happier without cigarettes.” The main point is to remind yourself that you’re a former smoker and that you don’t need to light up anymore.

Create a smoke-free situation

You can’t stop people smoking outside the pub, but you can stop people smoking in your own home! You can celebrate your smoke-free success with them. You’ll be able to control what is served which can help stop those triggers and completely avoid cigarettes in your smoke-free home.

We’re very proud to bring you this feature in association with Nicotinell. For more inspiration to keep your social life sparkling, please pay a visit to our lifestyle page.