Overcoming triggers, cravings, and the changes your body goes through when you quit smoking can be overwhelming. Thankfully, there is a whole lot of support available at your fingertips so that you don’t have to go through it alone. Whether you are looking for immediate help, a place to speak anonymously, or are simply wondering if talking to someone you don’t know would be more comfortable than talking to a loved one, online support may be a helpful tool during your quit journey. Read on to learn about all the online support options out there, including social media pages, live chat rooms, phone helplines, customized quit plans, public forums, and more. They are all free and designed to help you quit smoking and stay smoke-free!
Stop Smoking Center is different from most other resources for quitting smoking due to the fact that its content is contributed by ex-smokers and smokers trying to quit. Although doctors and researchers are very helpful resources, the Stop Smoking Center can provide more authentic empathy to quitters in the form of forums and blog posts written by a community of people with a common journey. Hearing a successful quit story or testimonials similar to yours can give you the motivation you need to keep going!
As discussed in our last blog post, creating an effective quit plan is vital to becoming smoke-free, and since every person and their experience is different, everyone’s quit plan may be different. Become an Ex evaluates your unique situation, environment, and triggers in order to create a customized quit plan that works best for you. The customized plans also include tips and advice from experts at Mayo Clinic, as well as interactive guides and tools to help overcome triggers and guide you through your smoke-free journey.
I Can Quit is a great place to learn about other smokers’ quit plans and experiences. The site can even calculate how much money you’ll save when you quit! I Can Quit also offers a Quitline, available even on weekends and holidays, so you always have someone to talk to about triggers, cravings, and anything else related to your quit plan.
Smokefree.gov goes beyond reading and sharing quit stories. On the site, you can find quit tools like smoke-free texting programs, apps, and even social media support groups, as well as research-based advice for quitting and staying smoke-free. Smokefree.gov also offers a quiz to determine the level of your withdrawal symptoms so that you can have a better understanding of what your body is going through and how it is changing.
The National Cancer Institute’s Live Help service is a great place to go for information about recent research, clinical trials, or simply when you need to talk to someone about your journey. The Live Help service is available online or by phone. It offers two different types of chats – “cancer information” and “quitting smoking” – and it is available Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 9:00pm. Chats are encrypted for privacy, and you can remain anonymous if you choose!
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The CDC is highly active on social media and is frequently sharing the latest smoking and tobacco-related information. Follow @CDCtobaccofree and their campaign, Tips from Former Smokers, on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Pinterest for inspirational posts about quitting!
Whenever you feel overwhelmed by the challenges of quitting, remember that you are not alone. We’re here to help. In addition to the emotional support you need to quit smoking, your body needs physical support, such as vitamins and minerals lost through years of smoking. Our Libertas four-part program can help replace vital nutrients lost and resist the urge to smoke so you can quit for good. Shop our products today to start your journey!
