I had tried to quit smoking many times before, but I never managed more than a few days before slipping back. Each failed attempt chipped away at my confidence, and eventually I stopped believing I could ever do it.
Everything changed when I was told I needed a heart valve operation. Being told I needed such a major procedure made me rethink my habits. It didn’t feel right to keep harming myself while preparing for something so important and I struggled with the feeling that I didn’t deserve that level of care if I didn’t make a change. That moment pushed me to finally take quitting seriously.
Using the patches and mouth spray made a huge difference - they were the right choice for me, and I noticed the benefits from day one. Even though cigarettes still crossed my mind, I didn’t reach for them and that felt like a real breakthrough.
Attending my appointments with Yorkshire Smokefree Barnsley and having Neil’s support kept me going. I couldn’t have done this without him. We connected from the very first day and he spoke in a way that truly made sense to me. His encouragement genuinely inspired me to stay smoke-free.
Smoking no longer controls me. I hadn’t realised how much of a slave I was to it until I finally stopped. Now I’m breathing better, I can taste my food again and I no longer wake up in the night coughing. The improvement to my health has been incredible - and I’ve got more money in my pocket too!
Congratulations on your quit, Richard. Neil and the team are incredibly proud of you.
