Adam and Nick’s Journey
Adam and Nick have been smoking for over 20 years and struggled to quit on multiple occasions. In their journey to quit smoking, they were referred to Pennine GP Alliance’s (PGPA) stop smoking service, utilising the Switch to Quit system and receiving dedicated support from their Stop Smoking Practitioner, Ben Hill. Despite encountering challenges, they are both determined to quit, with their ultimate goal to stop smoking altogether.
Initial Thoughts on Smoking Support: Before joining the service, both Adam and Nick were unaware of the type of structured support available for quitting smoking. Nick admitted that he may not have sought help on his own due to a mindset of “I’ve made my own bed,” believing it was his responsibility to quit on his own. On the other hand, Adam expressed that if he had known about the service sooner, he would have advocated for them to join earlier.
Impact of the Support: Upon participating in the programme for several months, Adam and Nick both acknowledge the immense value of the weekly sessions and the personalised support they’ve received. These sessions have provided structure and consistency, with both feeling that they could not have reached this point without the guidance and encouragement from Ben, PGPA’s Stop Smoking Practitioner.
- The regular meetings helped them feel accountable, much more so than using apps or other resources.
- When faced with challenges, like faulty vapes, the flexibility and personal approach from Ben allowed them to stay on track, adjust their approach, and continue the journey to quitting.
- The sessions offered opportunities to address fears and uncertainties, such as the mechanics of the Switch to Quit system and concerns over possible setbacks.
Detailed Support: Both Adam and Nick were provided with the Swap2Stop kit, which includes a vape and a selection of nicotine salts/e-liquids. Adam prefers fruit-flavoured vapes, while Nick used tobacco-flavoured options. Weekly sessions with Ben gave them the chance to ask questions, discuss progress, and troubleshoot any issues with the equipment.
Nick shared that the support not only helped with the logistics of quitting but also played a role in mental health. Specifically, the Stop Smoking Practitioner helped put minor setbacks, like faulty vapes, into perspective. Instead of feeling like failures, they were reassured that the challenges were a part of the process and could be overcome. Adam noted that the CO test results, which showed reduced carbon monoxide levels, gave him a genuine sense of accomplishment.
Addressing Problems and Concerns: A significant issue arose just before Christmas when Adam’s vape malfunctioned, and Nick’s stopped charging. With Christmas closures, they temporarily reverted to smoking. However, Ben was quick to respond, offering reassurances and quickly organising replacements for the faulty devices. Additionally, when they had to share a vape, he provided nicotine patches and inhalers to ensure Nick didn’t have to go cold turkey while Adam dealt with a family emergency. The prompt and thoughtful support helped them maintain progress.
Despite initial concerns about replacing smoking with vaping, both Adam and Nick acknowledged that they now understand the lower risks of vaping compared to smoking. The gradual reduction in nicotine strength is a key part of their strategy to eventually quit entirely.
Personalised Approach and Overcoming Mental Health Challenges: Both Adam and Nick deal with anxiety, and Adam also has ADHD/Autism. These conditions made it harder to seek help, engage in social situations, and stick with a routine. However, Ben’s tailored approach allowed them to feel comfortable in the sessions and enabled them to stay engaged with the programme.
Feedback on the Swap2Stop (Slibox Vape): While Adam and Nick encountered some issues with leaking and damage to the vapes, they found that regular cleaning and proper storage could prevent these issues. Adam noted that the Swap2Stop vape closely mimics the smoking process, making it easier for him to transition from cigarettes to vaping. The ability to switch to a flavoured vape was a highlight, with Adam mentioning how much he preferred the fruit flavours over cigarettes. Both found that when they did revert to smoking briefly over Christmas, cigarettes tasted unpleasant in comparison, which only reinforced their commitment to quitting.
Recommendations: Adam and Nick wholeheartedly recommend the Pennine GP Alliance’s stop smoking service, especially to those who have tried quitting on their own or with other nicotine replacement therapies without success. The structured programme, personalised support, and access to the Swap2Stop kit made the quitting process feel more achievable and satisfying.
Both felt that the sessions were tailored to their specific needs, helping them manage their mental health challenges, maintain their commitment, and stay on track toward becoming non-smokers.
Conclusion: The role of the Stop Smoking Practitioner in Adam and Nick’s journey has been crucial in overcoming obstacles, maintaining motivation, and providing the necessary support to stay on the path to quitting smoking. With ongoing guidance and the personalised approach offered by the Stop Smoking Practitioner at Pennine GP Alliance, they feel confident that they are on the road to a smoke-free future.
People in Calderdale can access PGPA’s stop smoking practitioner by referral from their GP Practice or a social prescribing link worker.
Special thanks to Adam and Nick for sharing their story.
