If you're a smoker who has tried to stop smoking in the past and relapsed, or if happen to presently deliberating stopping, it is constantly an excellent idea to learn the factors involved in quitting. It's imperative for you to know what you will face while struggling against your smoking habit so that you are better equipped to handle the various possible circumstances.

Smokers who attempt to kick their smoking habit normally undergo five (5) stages, with each phase possessing different psychological symptoms. Evidently, there's a fitting response to each and every stage to make sure that you more forward into the next point and in due time succeed in kicking the habit for good.

Stage 1: Pre-Contemplation

Pre-contemplation is the first and foremost stage in the process of smoking cessation. It's fairly usual for most smokers to stop smoking in response to peer pressure; i.e. colleagues, family, and friends pressuring the person to give up smoking. Truth is, the person does not sincerely want to quit, but is forced to do so due to outside variables. Hence, this individual may try to quit not because he/she is entirely inclined to do so, but because he/she gave in to outside pressure. If the process starts with this particular scenario, the most apparent result is that this person will soon relapse and take up smoking once more, in view of the fact that the motivation is insufficient or inappropriate.

Stage 2: Contemplation

Contemplation is the next phase in the smoking cessation process. At this stage, the desire to stop smoking is present, but the individual does not want to stop smoking in the foreseeable future. Said person is aware of the reasons for stopping smoking, and in all probability agrees with such reasons. Nonetheless, during this stage, said person still manages to justify the addiction, with the intangible and remote concept of someday quitting smoking.

Stage 3: Preparation

The next stage in the stop smoking process is called preparation, which can be seen as a preface to the actual quit smoking process itself. The said person has a sincere intention to cease smoking and has even taken small measures to achieve that goal. Typically, these steps are intended to make the transition easier, like, for example lowering cigarette consumption per day, or switching to a light/filter brand.

Stage 4: Quitting

The 4th stage in the stop smoking stages is actually quitting. At this point, the person is determined to not smoke anymore and has in fact taken measures to fulfill this plan. As this person quits smoking, he/she has to face withdrawal, exert effort not to give in to the often irresistible desire to resume smoking, and overall adjust to a new life as a non-smoker. This fourth stage can last from 6 months - 1 year.

Final Stage: Post-Quitting Maintenance

The 5th and final stage in the stop smoking process is known as post quitting maintenance, which generally starts one year after smoking cessation. At this stage, a relapse is entirely possible. Around seventy five percent of individuals who quit smoking are susceptible to resuming smoking in the initial year of the process. Nevertheless, this does not mean that their efforts were wasted, since researches demonstrate that it takes about 3 tries to completely stop smoking. Though a relapse is commonly considered as a a few steps back, this should in no way deter any smoker from attempting to stop smoking again and, consequently, trying harder the next time.

In general, you must get to know the six stages of the smoking cessation process so that you will be more ready to cope with each specific circumstance that you will in all probability meet. An understanding of where you stand in the stop smoking timeline will allow you to evaluate your progress and inspire yourself further until you in due course stop smoking for good.