One of the first questions people ask when deciding to quit smoking is: “Should I do it alone, or with someone else?” Some prefer to fight this challenge quietly by themselves, while others gain strength by partnering up or getting social support. Which method works better depends largely on personality. MBTI types, in particular, can offer useful insight into whether solo quitting or group quitting better suits you.
Extroverts (E): Strength in Togetherness
Extroverted personalities gain energy from social interaction, and they tend to be more motivated when sharing goals and progress with others. For extroverts:
- Quitting with a partner, friend, or family member can boost accountability.
- Being part of a community, quitting group, or social media challenge helps sustain motivation.
- Praise, feedback, and acknowledgment from others reinforce their commitment and help them stay on track.
Because extroverts often respond to external validation and encouragement, quitting together can be more effective than going it alone.
Feeling Types (F): Emotional Support Matters
Persons with strong Feeling (F) traits thrive with empathy and emotional connection. During difficult moments in the quitting journey, having someone who listens, understands, and encourages can be a great comfort.
- Small, emotionally supportive quit groups or online communities are beneficial.
- Sharing progress or struggles openly helps process emotions and prevents relapse.
- Encouragement from others helps sustain morale over time.
Introverts (I): Quiet Resolve
Introverts value personal space, quiet reflection, and self-direction. They may prefer the introspective route, rather than relying on external support.
- Keeping a private quit-journal, setting personal goals, and designing one’s own reward system often appeals more to introverts.
- Tracking progress, reflecting daily, and honoring one’s own promises can give them a strong sense of accomplishment.
- They may resist public exposure or group pressure in their quitting path.
Judging (J) vs Perceiving (P): Structured vs Flexible
People with a Judging (J) orientation favor structure and clear plans. Even when quitting alone, if they create a framework—scheduled goals, daily checklists, progress tracking—they can still succeed highly.
On the other hand, Perceiving (P) types prefer flexibility and spontaneity. Under rigid plans, they may feel constrained. For P types, quitting together can help, because they can adapt the process dynamically:
- Adjust strategies cooperatively with a partner when cravings or challenges arise.
- Use flexible plans rather than rigid timetables.
- Communication and shared adjustments make the process feel less restrictive and more collaborative.
The Role of Environment & Context
Beyond personality, your daily environment plays a role in which method works best. For instance:
- If you work or live where many people smoke, quitting together can help you resist temptation through mutual support.
- But if you spend much time alone or in private settings, an individualized quitting strategy might be more sustainable.
In Summary
Whether quitting by yourself or alongside someone else—neither is definitively better. What matters is matching the method to your personality and daily life. Understanding how you operate best will guide you to the quitting strategy that offers the highest chance of success.
- If you thrive on social energy and encouragement → quitting together may suit you.
- If you prefer solitude, reflection, and autonomy → quitting alone might be more comfortable.
- Either way, choosing the method that fits you is the key to improving your quit success rate.