Long‑term smoker successfully quits with support from Wellbeing for Life

*Margaret* had been smoking for decades when, following a routine GP visit, a health scare gave her the push she needed to want to stop smoking.

Margaret had previously tried to quit unsuccessfully and had never tried again despite pressure from her family.

Asked what made her more determined this time, Margaret said: “I got quite a scare after visiting the GP and I’ve realised that smoking is bad for me, but also that second-hand smoke is a health risk to my family.”

During a passing visit to a community venue Margaret met Sharon from Wellbeing for Life (WBFL) and shared her ambition to finally quit smoking - that’s when everything fell into place.

Margaret said: “At my first stop smoking session with Sharon, she chatted through the Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) products available, and together we decided that the patches would work best for me; I also had a top up product to use if I needed it. I then had the option to set my own quit date.”

Sharon said, “Margaret was determined to be successful this time and had been reducing the amount she smoked on the lead up to starting her sessions. She stuck to her quit date and her carbon monoxide levels had dropped to the levels of a non-smoker in only three days.”

Margaret had used smoking as an ‘emotional support tool’ and said that she thought this would be my biggest hurdle. “I felt that Sharon was in my corner and her support was key to my quitting successfully - it was so much easier to talk things through with her than with family - she really believed in me.”

Several months later, Margaret has noted that her breathing is improved, she can walk upstairs without feeling out of breath and she can keep up with her young family so much better now. She said: “I’m not resting on my laurels, and I know that I might have times when I want to go backwards but I feel more able to deal with those challenges now.”

Asked if she would recommend the WBFL stop smoking programme to someone in a similar situation, she said: “Absolutely yes, having somewhere to go for the 12 sessions, someone to talk to for moral support and who wants you to succeed, really makes a difference.”

* Names have been changed for confidentiality.

Wellbeing for Life is a part of Adult Wellbeing Services, delivered in partnership by Pioneering Care Partnership and County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust.