How would you like to stop being ruled by your cigarettes, to turn things around and take charge? The trick is to diversify

Cigarettes are like magic wands. You can use them to relax, to reward yourself, to punctuate the end of a work or study session, to manage stress or anxiety, to occupy yourself when you are bored, to help you focus on a project, to enhance the enjoyment of a meal, to increase your metabolism for weight management, or just for the feel and taste when you are drinking alcohol or coffee. Wow. Cigarettes work in so many ways.

Smoking is an incredibly powerful and soothing habit that is reinforced by a very powerful and addicting drug. It's a combination of drug dependency and deeply engrained behavior habits. That is why it is so hard to quit smoking. It's not just a matter of quitting smoking, it's also a matter of lifestyle management and behaviour modification.

A two-for-one drug

Nicotine, the drug contained in tobacco, gives your brain a great deal of pleasure. You remember that your brain 'seeks pleasure and avoids pain'. Nicotine affects some very important brain chemicals that make us feel pleasure and well being. It produces a state of 'alert-relaxation' that is both enjoyable and functional. You can manage your stress and focus on your work with the help of just one cigarette.

In large doses (about a pack a day), nicotine works in the centres of the brain that stimulants affect and the centres of the brain that depresses drug effect. It's a two-for-one drug. What a deal. The very thought of quitting smoking is like declaring war on your biological brain (which likes the pleasures of nicotine a lot) and some deeply imbedded habits. It's hard to fight on two fronts at the same time. What's more, your brain has an impressive arsenal of neurotransmitters, proteins that can dramatically affect how you feel. Depression and anxiety are commonly experienced in the quitting process, and these can lead to loss of motivation and ambivalence about quitting.

You can take charge of your smoking, but you usually can't do it by using only one tactic. Just using the patch or going cold turkey is not going to replace the great amount of pleasure and mood management that you get from nicotine. You've got to diversify, create your own arsenal of strategies to replace your old smoking habits and attachments. The secret to quitting lies in your planning, preparation, and motivation. You can take charge of your smoking by finding at least 6 to 12 other enjoyable, productive or meaningful things to do besides smoking. This is a big project. You will also need to address your addiction to nicotine and what strategies you will employ to cope with the withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

It's not an easy task, but it's not Mission Impossible either. Our Stop Smoking message board will be there to assist and encourage you. Did you know that quitting doesn't have to be so painful? If you use 'The Pleasure Principle', you really can enjoy not smoking. Chatting with other Stop Smoking Challengers will bolster your motivation, enliven your spirit and help you design a quitting plan that you are excited about, with a high possibility of success. Join us now in the Smoking Challenge