Day 6 without smoking
Quit smoking day 6: drinking, social plans and staying on track
Day 6 is often when life outside the house comes back: a dinner, a drink, a weekend plan. Withdrawal may be easing a little, but alcohol and other people smoking can bring cravings back fast. Smokefree.gov suggests staying away from alcohol in the first few weeks of quitting if you can.
What is going on around day 6
Smokefree.gov says that for many people, alcohol makes them want to smoke, and that drinking makes you more likely to do things without thinking them through. That can raise the chance of a slip. Its advice is to stay away from alcohol in the first few weeks of quitting, or keep it moderate and drink with people who support your quit.
Social moments carry their own pull. Smokefree.gov lists bars, parties, celebrations and seeing someone else smoke as common reasons people want a cigarette. It suggests telling friends and family that you have quit so they can support you. A friend who knows is someone who can give you a reason to step away.
You are also near the end of the first week. Smokefree.gov describes the first week after quitting as the time you are most at risk to slip and smoke. That makes a night out on day 6 worth planning more carefully than the same night out a month from now.
The hard part
For many people, the hardest part of day 6 is the first social situation as a non-smoker. Someone goes outside to smoke, and you have to decide what to do with yourself. A drink loosens your resolve at exactly that moment. Deciding in advance is easier than deciding with a glass in your hand.
If it hits at this momentWhy you crave cigarettes when drinking, and how not to smokeOne thing for today
Before any plan tonight, text one person who will be there that you have quit, and decide in advance what you will drink and when you will leave.
Day 6 in BeQuit
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Questions
Can I drink alcohol in the first week of quitting smoking?
Smokefree.gov suggests staying away from alcohol in the first few weeks of quitting, because drinking makes a slip more likely. If you do drink, it recommends moderate amounts, no binge drinking, and drinking with people who support your quit. Plan what you will do when others step out to smoke.
What if I smoke one cigarette on day 6?
One cigarette is a slip, not the end. Smokefree.gov notes that most people need multiple quit attempts to quit for good, and that this is okay. Do not buy a pack. Get rid of anything left over, think about what led to it, and go back to not smoking right away.
Sources
- Smokefree.gov: Alcohol and smoking
- Smokefree.gov: Know your triggers
- Smokefree.gov: Understanding withdrawal
Last reviewed October 12, 2026. Everyone's first days are different. BeQuit is not a medical device and does not give medical advice. Talk to a doctor or a quitline about medication and nicotine replacement.
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