Gateway Support Specialists share stories about the benefits of quitting tobacco and vaping.
For people with behavioral health conditions, commercial tobacco can often be viewed as a lesser of two evils: a coping skill that brings relief and a sense of control, a prevention plan against “harder drugs,” and a necessary habit for one’s survival (due to its highly addictive properties.) The CDC reports that almost 40% of all cigarettes smoked by U.S. adults are consumed by people with behavioral health conditions.
However, did you know that the most common causes of death among people with behavioral health conditions are heart disease, cancer, and lung disease, which can all be caused by smoking? This statistic is extremely disheartening for the people who seek treatment for their substance use and mental health conditions, only to reap more consequences related to their continued use of tobacco and vaping products.
Unfortunately, stopping the use of tobacco and vaping products, even for short periods, can prove to be extremely difficult due to physical addiction, uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, psychological dependence, and environmental triggers. Many people require multiple attempts to successfully quit for good, and less than 1 in 10 adults who smoke cigarettes succeed in quitting each year.
This article seeks to highlight three of Gateway’s Peer Recovery Support Specialists, Jennifer Osife, Rachel Dye, and Laura Monroe, who openly and honestly share their experiences related to quitting cigarettes and escaping the vape.
Q. What did your relationship with cigarettes look like in the beginning?
Rachel: “I first tried cigarettes when I was eleven because my mom smoked and I could get away with it. It was the norm in my family, and I didn’t see it as wrong. In fact, it helped me fit in with my friend group and made me feel a little less awkward. We would drive off campus to go get it which was a nice break from the school day. However, even though I loved having an excuse to go off campus, I would spend my lunch money on cigarettes instead of food. Also, the boys who I smoked cigarettes with were the ones that introduced me to marijuana. Finally, smoking didn’t impact my involvement in the band until I went to college. I remember getting caught and almost being kicked out. They had a serious talk with me about how I didn’t need to be smoking.”
Jennifer: “I first started smoking cigarettes around sixteen years old because my friends smoked. My grandparents and parents warned me not to smoke because it would cause health problems, but unfortunately, they also smoked. At some point though, I started to get concerned about how much money I was spending and the fact that I would get so out of breath when trying to do anything strenuous. Also, I knew how badly I smelled like cigarettes and that I was being a negative role model to my baby sister, who is thirteen years younger than me.”
Laura: “Unlike Rachel and Jennifer’s experiences, my parents did not smoke and even had some negative comments to say about people who did. I remember my mother saying that smoking was ‘not lady-like, looked trashy, and was something that dirty people did.’ Despite this pep talk, smoking was normal amongst my peers and part of the culture in the 80’s. I used cigarettes as an opportunity to be defiant, deal with stress, spend time with my friends, and curb my appetite. Honestly, in the beginning, I loved smoking and did not feel its negative impact.
Q. When did you seriously start to consider quitting cigarettes and how did you eventually take that step?
Rachel: “It wasn’t until I started having kids that I questioned if I wanted to smoke forever. Growing up, my parents smoked in the home and when we were in the car. I felt like they stunk so bad. Then, when I became a parent, I was doing the same things. It just didn’t feel right. Plus, I didn’t like the wrinkles on my face, my giant pores, and having to take time away from my children to go smoke. However, the last straw was when a friend hugged me and then because of how I smelled, asked if I was still smoking. I put down cigarettes and picked up the vape. At first glance, this seemed like a much better option because it stunk less, tasted better, had no second hand smoke, and was cheaper. Plus, my friends were doing it and I could keep it with me.”
Jennifer: “It was around the time that I became pregnant with my son. I was mostly able to quit during that time, but started right back up once he was born. I then switched over to vaping. During that time, nicotine gum helped me step away from the vape for almost two years before relapsing. After the relapse, being around people that vaped and still having my vape where I could access it ‘just in case’ made it difficult for me to quit again.”
Laura: “Even though I stopped smoking during my pregnancies, it wasn’t until I did the math and realized that I had already been smoking for 36 years that I started to worry about those potential health problems that could now be just around the corner. I did not want to be laying in a hospital bed wishing for one more chance. In addition to this, I also began to think that I could be spending my money on things that wouldn’t eventually turn on me. But, because I started so young, they had been by my side for every life experience. Even when I lost everything due to my drug addiction, I still had a pack of cigarettes. When I started weaning off of cigarettes, the separation felt monstrous and there was definitely a grieving period. I think switching to vaping helped to feel the void.
Q. What was your experience with vaping? Why did you eventually decide to quit that, too?
Rachel: “Even though the switch from cigarettes to vaping appeared to have many benefits, I experienced a weird taste and extra flem in my throat. I also would get ‘nic sick’ because I was taking in so much more nicotine than before. It was probably the same as smoking two packs of cigarettes without even realizing it. Finally, even though I haven’t vaped for over 3 months, I am just now coughing up what has been in my lungs.
Jennifer: “Eventually, the consequences of vaping overshadowed its benefits. I was tired of spending money on it and being out of breath. I was tired of the time and effort I put towards vaping and wanted to put my energy into something productive.”
Laura: “I had the obsession and compulsion to use the vape more than cigarettes. One reason for this was because I could keep it with me all the time. I would only part with it for maybe 10-15 minutes at a time and would even roll over and hit my vape in the middle of the night. The device itself was comforting to have. Also, the consistent delivery of nicotine increased my anxiety and dysregulated my sleep. Finally, my lungs were wrecked. At one point, I noticed them feeling wet and being unable to clear them out. I had to go home to use my son’s nebulizer. Since I’ve quit, I can now feel air deeper in my lungs. The biggest reason why I quit, though, is for my children. I put it down so that they would know they could, too.
Q. What tools, resources, and support systems help you to stay quit from tobacco and escape the vape and what are your hopes for the future?
Rachel: My clean date from all tobacco and vaping products is November 10th, 2024. Jennifer was a big inspiration to quit and Laura has been a huge support for me. She, my sponsor, and other friends in my recovery program are people that I can be extremely honest with. I would say that being real about my triggers, praying, journaling, and using nicotine replacement has helped me to keep moving forward, even on my toughest days. My skin is looking better, I am saving money, I can breathe better when working out, and most days I am free from the mental obsession to want to smoke or vape.”
Jennifer: “My clean date from all tobacco and vaping products is September 30th, 2024. I have utilized 1-800-QUIT NOW to receive my gum and patches. I used both substitutes at the same time, and it worked very well. I asked my friends and family not to vape around me, and I got rid of my vapes. The hardest times were waking up, after eating, and getting in the car. So to cope, I prayed, read my bible, did deep breathing, went for walks, crocheted and colored. I am saving money, working out and expanding my lung capacity, being a healthier version of me, and being a good role model for my children. I am reminded daily that we are still growing as people and recovery really is a lifelong process.”
Laura: “My clean date from all tobacco and vaping products is November 11th, 2024. Jennifer and Rachel lead the charge, and I linked up. I think that being in recovery is actually a strength I have when going through this process. I have learned that feelings pass and urges don’t last. I can use other coping skills to make it through. For me, having medication to help with the nicotine cravings has been essential. Zyn pouches, patches, gums, and lozenges have all been effective. My current goal is to taper down until I am eventually nicotine free. I feel proud that my choices today will make my tomorrow a healthier one. My hope is that someone, somewhere will see that we quit and they can, too.”
*Disclaimer: Zyn pouches are not an evidence based cessation tool or safe at any level for youth. If you or someone you know would like more support around vaping or tobacco use, do not hesitate to reach out to any of these helpful resources. You don’t have to do it alone.
My Life My Quit, https://ok.mylifemyquit.org/, Free help just for teens.
Truth Initiative: Freedom from Nicotine Addiction, https://truthinitiative.org/, strong focus with youth and young adults.
1800QUITNOW, https://okhelpline.com/, 18+.
This article featured:
Jennifer Osife, MAT Clinic PRSS, 3 years with Gateway.
Laura Monroe, Case Manager I, PRSS, 7 months with Gateway.
Rachel Dye, Lead PRSS Coordinator, Case Manager II, PRSS, 2.5 years with Gateway.
Alicja Carter, MHR, BHWC, is the Wellness Director at Gateway to Prevention and Recovery. She has worked in the behavioral health and addiction treatment field for 17 years. Alicja is passionate about living a well life and collaborating with others for the purpose of stimulating positive change in her community.
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