Write an article based on this "Set a date to quit. Set up a schedule to help you quit. Write down your reasons for quitting. Start ramping down your tobacco use immediately. Decide not to chew in certain settings. Figure out what your triggers are. Stock up on chew alternatives. Get medicine to help you quit (optional)."
Picking a concrete quit date gives you time to prepare yourself emotionally and physically for the days ahead. Choose a date that is about a month away, that way you'll have enough time to get ready but not so much that you'll lose determination. Though you could try and quit cold turkey, people who have a set plan in place are far more likely to kick the habit and remain smoke-free. Base your schedule around how much tobacco you currently use, slowly narrowing down the quantity. Use a calendar to select intermediary dates based on your quit date for reducing your quantity over a period of time, allowing yourself to get used to using less and less. You may decide to reduce your consumption a little each week until you no longer use tobacco. For example, if you use 1 can per day, start by using 1 every 2 days. Then, the next week use 1 every 4 days. Continue reducing how much you use until you are barely using any by your quit date. What is your reason, or combination of reasons, for wanting to kick your chewing tobacco habit? Writing down the personal factors motivating you to make this change can help clarify your sense of purpose, which will come in handy down the road when you're struggling with the urge to start chewing again. Some good reasons for quitting include: You won't have to deal with tobacco stains on your teeth and clothes. Your breath will smell better. Any sores inside your mouth will heal. You'll never have to worry about finding a can or bottle to use for tobacco juice. You won't have to duck out of meetings or gatherings to chew. You will save money that you once spent on tobacco. Cut down the amount of tobacco you use from the moment you decide to stop chewing, decreasing the amount gradually until your quit day arrives. The less nicotine that's in your system on your quit day, the better, because you'll already be used to chewing less and dealing with cravings. When you feel a craving, wait as long as possible before chewing. To help you cut down on tobacco use, make a list of specific places where you will not chew, such as work or school. Then, when you travel to these places, leave your dip at home to avoid temptation. By doing this, you will slowly get used to the feeling that tobacco is not always an option. Everyone has triggers that cause them to fall back on bad habits. Naming these triggers and eliminating them from your life will go a long way toward helping you quit chewing tobacco. Triggers can include things like seeing people you normally enjoy chewing around, encountering pleasurable sounds or smells you associate with chewing, or even just getting stressed out, scared, or anxious. Plan ways to address triggers with competing habits. For example, if you usually chew right after work, try replacing that with something else. Fill your pantry with items like chewing gum, beef jerky, fruit chews, or fake dip. Many find that having something else to chew helps quell withdrawal cravings, making the quitting process far easier. Ask your doctor about prescription drugs like varenicline and bupropion, which help people quit harmful habits over time, and nicotine patches, which help reduce physical withdrawal symptoms. So you have enough time to get the medicine, make an appointment well in advance of your quit date. If you decide to use a prescription medication, start taking it 1 or 2 weeks before you quit.