I can’t tell you the number of people who tell me they are trying to quit smoking, and then say “well, I’m not smoking right now, so I’m also not drinking.”

What usually happens? Eventually, they go to the bar, have a few drinks, and inevitably have a cigarette. That changes their goal into “I guess I’ll just smoke when I drink,” which turns into “fuck, I’m smoking again. How did I ever let this get this way?”

What is the mistake these people made?

They avoided the bar when they were quitting.

In this episode, I bring in some of the science about behavior with regard to environment.

Since nicotine usually is out of your bloodstream within 1-3 days, most of the ongoing struggle people face while quitting has to do with their psychological addictions.

I explain why - unless you are planning to never drink again - you should continue to go to the bar as regularly as you would when you were still smoking, and why that’s so important.

I end the episode with some helpful tips to execute in the bar environment while you’re getting used to being there comfortably as a non-smoker.

Sources:

https://www.newhealthguide.org/how-long-does-it-take-for-nicotine-to-completely-leave-the-body.html

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2012/01/02/144431794/what-vietnam-taught-us-about-breaking-bad-habits