Once we’ve quit—or even when we’re in the process of quitting—we face temptation and frustration around relapse. Nearly every addiction works this way. But here’s an interesting point: relapse usually isn’t random. It’s not like you just mindlessly pick up a cigarette. No, most of the time, there’s thought behind it. There’s planning.
I learned this the hard way. Around this time last year, I was in a crisis center where smoking was strictly forbidden. It was an open facility, which meant we could walk off the grounds whenever we wanted. The rule was clear: if you got caught smoking, you’d be discharged. What fascinated me wasn’t even the cigarette—it was the plotting. How to get away with it. Where to go. Who might notice. Whether I could sneak one without getting caught.
That’s when it hit me: relapse is often premeditated. We think about how and where we’ll get that next fix. We might tell ourselves it’ll just be one. But deep down, what we’re really doing is scheming how to return to the habit. The truth is, we’re not getting away with anything—we’re walking right back into the trap.
So what can we do about this?
Keep thinking—but redirect those thoughts. Think it through before you act. What happens if you succeed in sneaking that smoke? Will it really be “just one,” or will it spiral into another pack, another week, another regret? Can you afford it financially? Physically? Emotionally?
Smoking isn’t just a physical illness; it’s a psychological one. When we catch ourselves plotting and planning a relapse, that’s the very moment to turn back. That’s when we can rewrite the story—not as another failure, but as another victory in progress.
Every craving, every plan, every excuse is a chance to make a different choice. And this time, let’s choose freedom.
by Dan and Bonkers
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