I was contacted by a former client named Sean who felt compelled to share his tobacco story. Sean said he was interested in sharing his story because he believes that quitting smoking is the best thing a person can do for their health, especially someone on income support.
Sean tells me that when he came to CAMH he was smoking two packs a day and upon arrival, he was approached by a Community Ambassador because he was smoking. “I didn’t take that too well because of where my head was at,” Sean recalls. “I was a stress smoker and I had so many things going on that my smoking felt arbitrary, and it almost gave me that excuse to leave”.
Sean didn’t leave however, and during his 10-day stay, he tells me that he used optimized doses of the patch and inhaler. “It was the first time someone medical said it’s OK to have more than one patch at a time,” he said.
At the point of discharge, the first thing Sean did was go out and buy a pack of cigarettes, but later reflecting on his stay, he tells me that this period of abstinence gave him the confidence to finally try to kick the habit.
A few months later, in an appointment with his doctor, Sean was offered help to quit smoking at the Nicotine Dependence Clinic and he accepted. “I was cleaning out things that were bad for me,” Sean explained.
Today, Sean has been tobacco-free for 16 months and tells me that he can’t imagine ever going back. “It would be like putting my foot back in a bear trap, it’s that stupid and about that attractive to me.”
When asked what CAMH could do to continue to support patients in their recovery, Sean tells me:
• Offer referrals to the Nicotine Dependence Service upon discharge, even if someone doesn’t seem interested in quitting at that time, as they may change their mind once they leave
• Provide education about what nicotine withdrawal is and what it looks like (e.g., how long it lasts, what to expect, how medications will help support)
• Provide more behavioural and peer supports
• Debunk the idea that quitting smoking is the hardest habit to break
• Offer other stress management techniques
• Talk about tobacco free in the context of overall recovery and wellness – “CAMH doesn’t allow other destructive behaviours”
• Use positive boosts and other incentives
• Sharing of recovery stories and positive experiences.
When asked what Sean feels the benefits of quitting smoking are, he tells me, “I have social anxiety, I don’t want to worry about my clothes smelling or teeth browning, I don’t need those barriers and I’m glad I don’t have them anymore. As a consumer/survivor on a limited income, quitting is the single most liberating thing I’ve been able to do for myself in decades. I thought I was going to die as a smoker and because of smoking. I didn’t want to have to tell my kid that.”
Sean tells me that he now enjoys being able to sit in a coffee shop without having to excuse himself for a cigarette. “Now I can see myself taking on other things that previously seemed impossible – some people won’t take flights because they can’t go that long without a cigarette.”
Sean tells me that now as a non-smoker, he appreciates not being exposed to second-hand smoke, “It is keeping me healthy not having smoking here – people come here to get better from this and people have already quit.”
I would personally like to thank Sean for his insightfulness and courage. His recommendations and suggestions will go a long way in continuing to make this initiative about care and support.
My hope is that his story inspires those who read it, as it has me.