Rachel used every tool she could to quit smoking for good.
Rachel has been quit for eight years. How did she do it? With everything she had.
I'd been smoking since I was 15.
All the cool people in my family smoked, my friends smoked and when I became a psych nurse back in the '80s, it became a way of connecting with people, staff and patients.
I never liked the experience of being addicted to something. All my quit attempts had been cold turkey, even when nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) was becoming available, as if it was a badge of honour to do it through sheer willpower. So, I stayed off for a couple of years, back on for a few, off for a few more, each time starting because "just one won't hurt ...".
This last time I've been off for eight years. The difference? I threw EVERYTHING at it that I needed to! Nicotine inhalators, gum, patches. I would've taken medication if I needed to. NRT WORKS! I worded up my friends who smoked - that if I asked for a drag or to bum a smoke, could they please say "just wait for five minutes". Unsurprisingly, the friends who couldn't do that for me were the ones I spent less time with when I was feeling a bit wobbly. I realised, FINALLY, that there's no "one cigarette won't hurt" for me.
Eight years on and I still occasionally dream of smoking. It took a lot of effort and practice to again call myself a non-smoker, but I did it. So can you. For me, this included NRT, the people around me and a bit of soul searching. Do whatever it takes for you. It's worth it.
