Thank you so much for your question. I applaud you for reaching out for help. None of us has to tackle anything alone!

I see that the number of cigarettes you are smoking has increased and I hear your concern about that. However, it is important to underscore the fact that you are a relatively new smoker. I hear loud and clear your willingness to become tobacco-free which is also a very very positive sign. You also seem to be using negative consequences in a very positive way – you are using them as motivation to become tobacco-free…and I think that can serve you well…you can keep those consequences in mind as part of your reason or reasons for wanting to become tobacco-free.

I would recommend a few specific things. First, include stress management as part of your over plan because it seems that stress issues are some of the primary reasons for picking up a cigarette for you. Second, I would encourage you to really look, in very close detail, what you learned from your quit attempts. Whether you quit for a few minutes, hours, days or weeks, it is important to look at what you did right, what you did effectively that allowed you to quit for those minutes, hours, days or weeks. Please don't look at those experiences as failures. Instead, look at what you learned about yourself, yourself as a smoker, yourself as a tobacco-free woman. Third, perhaps you can try using some printed material on tobacco dependence as a tool and source of encouragement and information to help with the process of becoming tobacco-free. Fourth, I would encourage you to work with a qualified professional such as a counselor, addictions counselor, etc. who has training and expertise in working with tobacco-dependent clients. Fifth and finally, please don't give up. One of the best predictors of becoming and remaining tobacco-free is continued attempts at quitting. Most people quit several times before they become permanently tobacco-free. Keep up the good work! You are worth it!