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My mom was a smoker. Many of my friends in high school were smokers. I eventually became a smoker too. I smoked cigarettes for years. I stopped when I had my sons then secretly started up again. When my step dad was sick with his brain cancer I found myself coping with cigarettes heavily. You'd think watching a 40 year smoker deal with not smoking while in the hospital and the toll it took on him would drive me to quitting but it didn't. Watching him die in the hospital made it worse. At the same time I was dealing with a separation. I felt all kinds of feelings I couldn't deal with all at the same time and smoking made me feel better, at least that's what I was thinking at the time.
Last December I had a falling out with some very close family members and then I had my first Christmas without a husband and my two kids. It was a very difficult time for me. It was then that I decided that I didn't want to deal with my issues and "cope" by smoking. I was hiding it from my kids. Staying in the bathroom in my room with the window open, going outside a lot when we were visiting others, going through a lot of Febreze and perfume. I'd finally had enough and didn't want to hide it anymore. If I had to hide it from my family it wasn't something I needed to be doing. I decided to stop buying cigarettes and told those closest to me to not buy or let me bum cigarettes from them. It was hard at first but I was determined. My boys deserved to have Mom around for as long as possible and with each cigarette I smoked I was taking time away from them because I know the tobacco and everything other horrible thing in a cigarette was doing all kinds of disgusting things to my body. Who wants to kiss a smoker? If they don't smoke it's like licking an ashtray. No one wants to buy items from you off eBay because you aren't a smoke free home. Cigarette smoke stinks and it turns things in your house yellow. Cigarettes were expensive. $3-4 a pack with me going through a couple packs a week. I was literally burning that money away.
I'm happy to be able to say that as of December 26, 2014 I have been cigarette/smoke free for one year. A great way to start the new year, right? New Years is the perfect time to focus on a new, improved you. Recently, CVS removed tobacco products from the shelves of all CVS/pharmacy stores nationwide and the company began a smoking cessation campaign to help patients become tobacco-free.
Studies show that smokers assisted by a health care provider have a greater chance of quitting smoking. MinuteClinic has a program to help those over 18 kick the habit, which includes personal counseling with a practitioner. What do you recommend for someone who says they are ready to quit?
· Ask for help and support from your family members.
· Consult with your primary care provider or MinuteClinic practitioner.
· It can be helpful to get the type of one-on-one education and coaching that MinuteClinic or another medical professional can offer.
· If you don’t have access to a MinuteClinic, any local CVS/pharmacist can also help you start on a customized smoking cessation program.
Is the MinuteClinic Smoking Cessation Program only for cigarette smokers?
No we can help those who use smokeless tobacco and some nicotine replacement therapies are effective for these users.
What is the cost of the program?
$69 for your initial assessment and visit and $59 for subsequent follow up visits and coaching sessions. Consult with your insurance provider, because visit costs might be covered under your plan.
How do the CVS/pharmacy and MinuteClinic smoking cessation programs differ?
Both the CVS/pharmacy and the MinuteClinic are safe and effective programs and offer patients a customized treatment plan that includes Nicotine Replacement Therapy. The MinuteClinic program, however, allows more time for one-on-one education and coaching with a nurse practitioner.
In addition to the smoking cessation program, MinuteClinic also offers Eyelash Lengthening Consultations, and a comprehensive Weight Loss Program, complete with personalized assessment, plan and ongoing coaching. Visit your local MinuteClinic in your CVS/pharmacy for more details and to get on the road to a better you for 2015.
disclaimer: This post is sponsored by CVS MinuteClinic but my story is my own.
Mommy Mafia says
Wow, the amount of strength it must have taken you to finally decide to quit. Bravo! I'm sure others are going to read your story and will want to take that step to be cigarette free too. The Minute Clinic program sounds like it would be awesome for people who are intimidated to go to a traditional doctor's office for help like this.
Dawn says
Congratulations, and here's to your continued success. It's SO hard to stop smoking. =(
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
That is great - congrats. I often wonder what makes people take up smoking in the first place.
Tracie says
Congratulations on being smoke free for a year. That is a really big accomplishment.
Debbie L. says
CONGRATS!!!! One Year Anniversary!! Huge deal - I quit 10 years ago on 12/7/04. Before you know it you will be celebrating 10 years! Every smoker past & present knows that quitting smoking is a big deal and you desire congrats!!!!
Felicia says
What a wonderful accomplishment! I know it is not easy. I am so glad that their are programs that help as well.
Shop with Me Mama (Kim) says
so happy for you! Good for you! Must take a lot of strength to do this!
Kecia says
Major kudos to you for quitting smoking! I can't stand the smell, and you're totally right about the eBay thing. I even ask before making a purchase in local FB groups.
Debbie Denny says
Good for you. Great to have support.
Pam says
Congrats on being smoke free for a year! That takes a lot of willpower. Cigarettes are so expensive, like you said!
Liz Mays says
It's so cool that CVS has the MinuteClinic now. Congratulations on your smoke free year!
Theresa says
Congrats on your 1 year smoke free! I am 12 years this summer. I quit cold turkey, but I am glad to hear there are resources at the Minute Clinic for those who need a little help along the way.
Crystal says
Congrats! That's such a huge accomplishment. I have seen family members in their journey, and quitting is no small feat!
Kay Adeola says
Congrats on managing to quit that is a great achievement.
Rosey says
Congrats to you. One year is a big deal. It's nice to be smoke-free too, huh? 🙂
Jeanine says
Wow that's amazing! Great for you! Hoping my husband has such success as he's trying to quit himself!
Elizabeth says
Congrats- what a huge accomplishment!
Christie says
What an amazing accomplishment! Quitting smoking is no easy feat, congrats!
Melissa says
Congratulations! That is huge! I love what CVS is doing.
April Decheine says
That is so awesome, I am trying to get my husband to quit, he only smokes when he has a beer, otherwise he hates cigarettes!
Beth says
Congrats on being smoke free for a year. Such a healthy decision for you and your family.
Chrystal says
My mom is a smoker. She has been for most of my life. She lost her dad a few years ago to lung cancer. I had hoped that would get her going on quitting.
Amber C. says
Congrats! That is so awesome! I have quiet many times over the past few years, but I believe I have recently quit for the last time! No going back for me!
Chrysa says
What a huge accomplishment. You should be very proud of yourself. Thanks for sharing the clinic info, too.
Jessica (Savory Experiments) says
Good for you! What a huge accomplishment. It takes a lot of will power to do something like this.
Mary O'Malley says
Congrats on being smoke free for a year! That's fantastic.
Tiffany (A Mom's Take) says
That's great! Good for you 🙂 That's a huge accomplishment. I wish I can help encourage my husband to stop smoking. It's not easy though when said person isn't ready.
Camesha says
Bravo to you for quitting! Both my parents used to be smokers. It drove me nuts. I'm relieved they both quit.
It's awesome that CVS has stepped up to encourage and support people to leave the cigarettes alone!
Gabriel Bregg says
Well done! I have a friend who started smoking just because he noticed they got more breaks at his job. 25 years later, he's still smoking. He's tried a few times to quit but hasn't gotten it to stick yet.
Melissa says
That is awesome that you have been smoke free for so long. I wished my parents would take that step too.
Kelly Hutchinson says
Good for you! I have been smoke free for almost 3 years and it feels great!