There are several reasons why people may start smoking again after quitting for months or years. Here are some of the most common reasons:

1. Stress: Stress is a major trigger for smoking, and people who are going through a stressful time in their lives may find it difficult to resist the urge to smoke. When you stop smoking, notice over time how you feel? Research indicates that smoking may actually increase anxiety and stress in the long term and that smokers feel less anxiety and stress than when they smoked! Does that mean that when people stop smoking they’ll never feel anxiety or stress? Of course not. Life doesn’t work that way. But smoking will never solve any of life’s stressors. All that will happen, is the stressful situation will still be there, (or it will have passed), BUT you’ll now you’ll be smoker on top of it. How is that helpful?
   
2. Social situations: Socializing with smokers or being in situations where smoking is common, such as parties or bars, can be a strong trigger for relapse. When you do go to a social event, come up with a plan before you go. You can even write it down. Think about the situations that may be difficult for you. Are you more likely to smoke in the presence of a certain person? When you drink? If you start really enjoying yourself? What will you do in that situation? Walk away? Ask a friend, in advance, for help should that situation occur? Knowing in advance what you’re going to do can help. Come up with your plan of action, and then stick to it.
   
3. Alcohol: Drinking alcohol can weaken a person’s resolve to quit smoking and make them more likely to relapse. Read #2.
   
4. Weight gain: Some people may be afraid of gaining weight after quitting smoking, and if they do gain weight, they may be tempted to start smoking again to control their weight. Yes, weight gain after stopping smoking can occur. Nicotine is a stimulant that can speed up metabolism and can act as an appetite suppressant. Yet, gaining weight isn’t a given. And, even if you do gain weight, it’s important to remember that it can be a temporary side effect. In the long term, quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your health. Instead of going back to smoking, there are many healthy ways to manage weight gain. Also, make sure you’re not substituting one addiction for another. If you were smoking as a way to distract and suppress uncomfortable feelings, well… you’re not smoking any more. You’re coping mechanism (coping mechanism) isn’t there any more, so you may be “feeding” your addiction with another one — food. Plus, nicotine does suppress your appetite, so you may need to focus on healthier food choices. Instead of reaching for that candy bar, choose a handful of nuts. For something sweet, choose an apple. For something crunchy, celery. Plus, now that you’re no longer sitting around smoking, go for a walk and start moving. That will also help you make more life serving, healthier choices.
   
5. Cravings: Even after months or years of quitting smoking, some people may still experience strong cravings for cigarettes that can lead to relapse. Cravings, urges… whatever you call them, they can crop up a month after your quit, a year, 10 years, or 30 years. Sometimes it clear why, and other times not so much. It’s important to remember, the craving will pass, no matter how strong or critical it feels. Within about 3-5 minutes it will pass. BUT, if you choose to smoking when that wave comes over you, then you’re move likely to invite more cravings .. and this time, the craving won’t be a psychological one, but a physical one from the nicotine. The key is to create a space — a pause — where you can respond rather than react. Because if you can respond, and speak to your centered Self, you’d know that it’s really not worth it and not what you want. Even when you’ve been quit 30 years, every once in a while, breath in deeply and remember how good that feels and thank yourself for choosing to become a nonsmoker once again.
   
6. Overconfidence: People who have successfully quit smoking for a long time may become overconfident or get “lost in the moment” and think that they can smoke just one cigarette without it leading to a full relapse. This can be a dangerous mindset that can lead to a return to regular smoking. Remember why you quit. It’s easy to forget. And, it’s easy to start romanticizing those fun and carefree times when you used to smoke. You forget, that they weren’t so fun and carefree — smoking was stressing you out, which is why you stopped smoking in the first place. What often happens is people will smoke one. Or two. Then they’ll be fine. Maybe they won’t even smoke the next day. Or even the day after. “Wow, they think. I’m one of the lucky few who can be that recreational smoker. Yay me!” So, maybe a few days later, they’ll smoke another. Before they know it, they’ll tell themselves, “Well, I won’t smoke before noon.” Or, “I’ll only smoke when I drink.” You know what comes after that. Noon turns into 11:00 a.m. and the “only smoke when I drink” turns into the drinking more than they want. Think of it as scope creep. Before they know it, they’re back to a pack a day. Do you really want to deal with quitting again? Really? Are you willing to chance it?

It’s important to remember that quitting smoking is a process, and yes, relapse is a common part of that process. If you do relapse, don’t be too hard on yourself. Instead, learn from the experience and use it to strengthen your commitment to quitting smoking for good. Remember, a “slip up” doesn’t need to turn into a full “mudslide.”

The way you become a smoker again is by smoking another puff. If you don’t take another puff, you’re not a smoker again. (NOPE – Not One Puff Ever.) YES, it’s easier when you don’t introduce nicotine into your system again. You’re more primed for nicotine addiction, science shows, than someone who has never smoked. So, our thought is why torture yourself? It’s easiest when you don’t reintroduce nicotine into your system. If a craving washes over you, surf the wave. Ride it out. The fear is that the wave will keep going up. It won’t. It will crest. And you’ll have ridden it out without reintroducing nicotine into your system.

If you do relapse, seek support from friends, family, or a healthcare professional, and try to identify the triggers that led to your relapse so that you can avoid them in the future.