Alcohol
Coping with alcohol as a nonsmoker

Drinking alcohol can be a strong smoking trigger for most people. Give yourself time – cut back or choose nonalcoholic drinks until you become a confident nonsmoker. To help you remain smoke–free around alcohol, try –

Switching it up –

Switch to non-alcoholic drinks

Try saying "No thanks..." –

Practice saying, “No thanks, I quit” when someone offers you a cigarette or invites you on a cigarette break.

Make a plan to occupy yourself when they go out to smoke – take a walk, call a friend, or deep breathing.

Changing habits –

Holding your non-alcoholic beverage in the hand you used to hold your cigarette. Play with a straw or stir stick for hand-to-mouth cravings.

Avoid –

people who might give you a tough time about not drinking, and avoid places where you know there will be alcohol. Do this at least for the first few weeks of your quit.

More for you –

Slip-ups and relapse

Being around other smokers

Coping with stress

Last updated 2/12/2021 10:43 AM

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Alcohol Coping with alcohol as a nonsmoker