Quitting is a Team Sport
Quitting Loudly Can Be Good for Us
Welcome to the new year—a time for fresh beginnings, renewed energy, and the idea that this year will be different. Even with all of that momentum, January is typically the time where many of our ambitions begin to lose the air in its tire.
Or completely fizzle out by February. Oh, that’s just me? Never mind then.
Goals like quitting something are rarely a one-person job. Truthfully, we don’t always do the best job at providing the right kind of support to make goals like these successful. The handsome 16ft-tree growing in my front yard was once just a pathetic 6ft. twig when we first built this house. It certainly would’ve collapsed under its own weight without the help of the two wooden poles that held it in place (and still do).
There’s a question that begs to be answered here—What can we utilize to help keep our goals in place as we grow?
Quitting Loudly
Many New Year’s resolutions revolve around quitting. We may want to quit procrastinating, eating sweets, or smoking tobacco, but we often default to doing it on our own. While reaching out for help may feel like it cheapens the victory, it’s a critical part of successfully quitting for good. Take smoking for example.
Smoking is a Great Example
Here in Washington D.C., people who use quitline services are 60% more likely to quit smoking for good than those who try quitting without help. Research shows that a combined use of behavioral counseling and medications produce the largest cessation effects. The evidence also indicates that several of these treatments are effective when used alone, though using them in conjunction may provide the greatest chances.
In Conclusion
Coaches, medication, and counseling are good resources to utilize in your journey to quitting. They all serve as your team—giving you multiple supports around your growing tree. Give yourself permission to seek out the support that will keep your goals from fizzling out.
DC Quit Now is a free program that can help you quit for good. They help you make a personal quit plan that gives you the best chance at quitting smoking. They also offer:
Coaches who understand.
Medications for cravings (patch, gum, lozenges).
Daily advice and connection through texts and an app.
If you’re in Washington, D.C. and want help to quit smoking, call 1-800-Quit-Now (1-800-784-8669) or go to DCQuitNow.org.You can also speak to a live person 24/7/365. Quitting smoking isn’t easy, but you don’t have to do it alone. With the right support, this could be the year you finally say goodbye to smoking for good.