“It’s been just over 2 years since I stopped smoking. I still remember attending my first session with my smoke-free advisor Carrie as if it was yesterday, having a roll up before I went into my appointment! I must have smelled terrible, but I was made to feel very welcome. In other ways it seems like a lifetime ago because I recognise that this has been a massive achievement for me after attempting to stop so many times before.
2 years on and I’m still feeling the benefits with my health, my teeth, my personal hygiene, financially... and I can spend quality time with my kids without constantly having to nip outside and come back smelling of smoke.
I don’t think about smoking now other than the benefits of quitting. The cravings are long gone but I still avoid people who are smoking as that would have been a trigger for me. I have stopped smoking in the past and had the idea that I could just have one cigarette, which was a massive mistake and being highly addictive lead to me smoking again. I was only one cigarette away from being back to square one. I protect myself from complacency now by never forgetting how well I have done, how much I have achieved and remembering why I wanted to quit in the first place. I think of all the benefits I have gained since, physically and mentally. It is a mental process as well as physical. I have developed new skills, being able to self-care and never think of smoking as a coping mechanism for whatever happens in life".
Jeremy, we are so proud of you. You are a wonderful role model to your kids and a great ambassador for our service. Keep up the amazing work and you are always welcome to pop in again for another smoke-free catch up!
