Liz quit smoking with the help from the Newcastle Stop Smoking+ Service. Read her inspiring story below and start your journey today.
"I was 12 years old when I first started smoking, I used to go to the corner shop, as you could get 1 cigarette back then for a penny, and then it progressed from there. I smoked 10 cigarettes a day all through school, and I would go out on my break or at dinner time and have another. It just escalated from there and then when I got older, and I started to go out drinking and socialising with friends it went up to 20 cigarettes a day. As my addiction got worse, the amount I was smoking got worse too.
I’ve been smoking roughly for 35 years, and I’ve had many trips to the hospital due to lung related illnesses, as I couldn’t breathe, which scared me into doing something about it to improve my health.
I contacted the Newcastle Stop Smoking+ Service and they were happy to help.
Smoking is a hard to beat, as when I was stressed, I would always need a cigarette. I’ve had a lot of stress in my life the last 3-4 years, with various health and family problems, so I always felt like I needed the cigarettes to cope. Whenever I’d drink a glass of wine, I would have to have a cigarette too, as to me the two just went hand in hand. It was a habitual behaviour, but I’ve stopped drinking 2 years ago now as well, so this has helped disassociate with that process.
I used lozenges initially to help with the cravings, but they left a lump in my throat which was uncomfortable. So, then I tried the chewing gum, and this was smashing, only 2mg, but it takes the craving away. I’ve tried the odd vape as well, as a stop smoking aid, but not very often, but I was pleased with the range of products as I tried patches and mouth spray as well.
I’ve now been 5 weeks smoke free and I can breathe so much better.
I have more energy to potter around the house; I don’t have to hold onto things when I move now, and I can go a lot further than I used to as well. I’ve also noticed that there’s no smoky smell in the house too.
I have more money as well from stopping smoking, which I’m saving up for new windows and a 3-piece suite. This motivation keeps me going, I have lots of things I can spend that money on now instead of smoking which is fantastic.
My Stop Smoking Advisor Rachel has been really good to talk to. She would always listen to me and tell me to take deep breaths and drink plenty of water. All these tips were really useful, and it was nice to have someone to talk to and support me along the way.
The service help with sending out patches and prescription products too, the process couldn’t be easier, they’ll give you a code, which you then take to the pharmacy to get your products, and then they’ll check in on you to see how you’re doing.
It's never too late to stop. It can take time, but it will get better and it’s always worth giving it a go. It’s like any other addiction, like drugs and alcohol, it’s hard to come off it, but you can do it with the right support and willpower.
I would encourage anyone to try and stop smoking and get in touch with the service as it’s really helped me."
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