At the age of 50, Tracey Deans decided it was time to make some changes – quitting smoking being the top of the list.
“I started smoking at 15,” says Tracey. “It was taking over my life. I wanted to change. I wanted to stop and feel free again.”
But Tracey didn’t go it alone. With the help of the council’s free stop smoking service, she succeeded in her goal. Now, she is celebrating a huge milestone – being smokefree for a year.
“I am breathing better, no longer smell of cigarettes, have more energy and I’m enjoying freedom with my family,” she said.
With the support of our stop smoking advisors, Tracey was able to quit for good with smoking aids. For her, this was nicotine patches.
“On my journey. I felt fine at the beginning,” she said. “I kept myself busy and started walking a lot, along with chewing gum. When the smoking aids stopped, that was the worst bit for me. I didn’t realise how much my body needed nicotine. I felt like I was coming off an addiction. Sweats, headaches, fever. It was horrible but I pushed through it. It lasted a few days, that’s all.”
Since that moment, Tracey hasn’t looked back. “I thought it would be the hardest thing I would ever do. But I can say it was not as bad as I thought. Yes, I can sometimes say when life get tough that I could strike one up, but it soon passes.
“I am proof it can be done and I have no willpower at all – or so I thought.”
Tracey added: “Initially, I held back from your council’s service because I, like others, thought you had to go to some big counselling session. I was wrong, but other people still think that’s the case. I can’t thank the team enough for helping me through it. I hope others take advantage of the free service.”
You’re three times more likely to quit for good with the support of our free local stop smoking service.
What we can offer…
- Face-to-face support and advice
- Phone calls/texts to check in with you
- Vape starter kit, with a 12-week supply of salts
- Nicotine Replacement Therapy, such as nicotine patches and gum
- Varenicline – prescribed medication to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms
You can use more than one of these paths.
- To find out more, discover a support venue near you or self-refer, visit: www.nelincs.gov.uk/stop-smoking
- Call: (01472) 325500, Monday to Friday, 8.30am – 4pm, except bank holidays
- Email: [email protected]
If face-to-face isn’t for you, the council also offers free six-month premium access to the Smoke Free app to set goals, track progress and stay motivated, with expert advisors on hand 24/7.
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