Lenka: We’re planning a family, I’d like to quit smoking, but… some time in the future?

I haven’t been smoking for 3 weeks already now when I’m writing the blog and I realize, it goes quite well. However, a month ago it was completely different…

Even if I was never fully aware of it, I was quite a strong addict to cigarettes

I started smoking as a teenager, 16 years ago. I used to smoke some 15 cigarettes a day during the last few years. I always knew I would quit when we started planning a family with my husband. The time had come, but I wasn’t ready for quitting. I tried it, but it didn’t work. It didn’t work at all. Actually, I felt it would never work. I didn’t tell anyone I was trying to quit, because I didn’t believe I could make it.

Few things happened this year that pushed me on my way to non-smoking

Apart from planning the baby, which is quite a strong motivation on its own there were few more things that influenced me much during this spring and summer. First, I got a Champix starter pack. I was using the pills for 14 days, and felt a slight nausea, but it worked. I reduced smoking to 4 cigarettes a day and this assured me I was able to do it. However, 2 days after the last lozenge I felt such strong cravings I went to a petrol station to buy a new pack at night. I was back at my 15 cigarettes a day after a few days and my belief in myself and in the fact I could quit was down to zero. Nevertheless, I overcame that somehow and started to think. I work in public health. I knew I had to do it better. I knew I had to think about it, create a quitting plan, think of possible scenarios when I feel cravings…I’m aware of some therapeutic techniques and coaching methods and I thought I could use them when quitting but I didn’t want to go through that all alone. Then I thought that there are quitting apps, which count the number of smoked cigarettes and so on. I spent some time on it and checked them. Adiquit made the best impression from them all.

Sort of esoteric experience as the end of smoking

Another of this years’ events was a really sad one, my cat friend Snow White died at age of 16. I got the kitten the very same summer I started smoking. It seemed symbolic that cigarettes would go along with her. I planted an apple tree in the garden in August, when it was really hot and I buried the last pack of cigarettes under it. My mum, an ex-smoker, told me: “What an idea to plant a tree in August! It won’t be easy for it. However, quitting isn’t easy as well…” I’m a truly rational kind of person and planting a tree was a far-out thing to do for me, but I’m happy I did it! (And the tree is still alive after three weeks!)

I’m really glad I found Adiquit

I appreciate professionality and trustworthiness. The fact the app was created with help of quitting experts, who are well known in the branch was crucial when I was choosing the app. I used the offer of a free 4 day trial and was enthused by the professional guidance, which has never disappointed me. I was grateful for the 10 day preparation phase, during which I could smoke without any stress and just be getting ready and mentally prepared. I happily let the virtual therapist to guide me. I was glad I didn’t need to be inventive and could just follow the programm. I planted the tree and buried the pack under it on the day before the quit day. The app has been watching over me since, praises me twice a day and it works. I don’t smoke! 🙂