Trying to Stop Smoking

Abstract

The theoretical perspective that guides this chapter is that processes of change in the domain of addictive behaviors can be understood in terms of individuals’ decisions based on evaluating the possible outcomes of the courses of action available to them. The key decision is seen as one of whether or not to try to change one’s behavior (e.g., to try to stop smoking, to try to reduce one’s consumption of alcohol, to try to lose weight). Once the person has embarked on such an attempt, he or she will be faced repeatedly with another decision, namely whether to persevere with the attempt, often in spite of unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, or whether to abandon it. It is an unfortunate fact that the decision to try to change can always be deferred and, when acted on, can be revoked at any time.