Nature of interaction: Stop Smoking;12-week programme

Client Overview

Age: 29 | Gender: Male

Referral: Self-referral via social media campaign

Background: English not first language; long-term conditions including SMI: anxiety, depression, personality disorder, musculoskeletal knee issues, Hashimoto’s disease

Substance Use: Long-term cannabis use; history of recreational drugs; alcohol dependency (supported)

Smoking History: 18 years, approx. £90/week (Parents smoke; friends smoke/use drugs)

Mental Health: Under Mental Health Team; accessing counselling; history of self-harm and suicide attempts

Initial Readings: CO 20ppm | BP 129/94 | Pulse 95

Aim of the Intervention

To support a full quit using a strong NRT combination (patch + vape + mouth spray) to break tobacco and cannabis dependence.

Key Interventions

• Education on addiction, triggers, and relapse prevention
• Weekly CO and BP monitoring
• Encourage routine and attendance at Men’s Shed and counselling
• Coordination with Mental Health Services
• Hydration, distraction techniques, and planning for triggers
• Highlighted health benefits related to future knee treatment

Progress & Turning Points

• Week 2: CO dropped from 20 → 1ppm; significant wellbeing improvements
• Weeks 3-4: Mood decline; medication adjusted by MH team-critical turning point
• Client became more assertive in avoiding smoke exposure and promoting smoke-free spaces (asking others not to smoke near him; creating a “NO SMOKING” sign at Men’s Shed)

Outcome

• Completed full 12-week quit
• Attended all sessions despite challenges (even taking phone appointments whilst abroad visiting family -where he stated “they have cigarettes for breakfast here” still managing to maintain quit.
• Improved energy, finances, mood, and personal presentation
• Recognised by staff/peers for remarkable transformation
• Completed evaluation and wants to help others
• Enrolled at university to study Chemical Engineering

Summary

This case study demonstrates effective, person-centred smoking cessation support in partnership with mental health services, resulting in sustained behaviour change.

What an amazing journey this young man has had. He is now almost 1 year quit and continues to maintain the changes made and a real champion for the Service.

Client feedback:
First of all, I just want to say thank you for inspiring me on this journey to becoming smoke free. I never expected that after smoking for 15 years of my life, I’d ever be able to stop - but here I am. Just over three months ago, I was a heavy smoker, and now I’m completely smoke-free. That alone shows it is possible.

I had to tackle both cannabis and nicotine smoking together, which made things even more challenging. When I first started this journey, I was anxious, nervous, and very doubtful that I’d succeed. But Catherine was incredibly welcoming, and we set a quit date for two weeks later. I honestly thought it was impossible - but I trusted her, and I did it.

I’m not going to lie, the first month was awful. You feel confused, agitated, unsure what to do with your free time, and even scared of the new version of yourself. You get conflicting opinions from people around you too. But once that first month passes and you manage to stick to the nicotine replacements -and reach out to the mental health team if you're registered with them -it really does get easier. They were a big help.

It starts to feel normal not to smoke. You begin to accept the new you, and everything gradually becomes less of a struggle. You get more energy with each passing day, you breathe more easily, your heart rate and blood pressure improve - the benefits are almost immediate and they just keep getting better the longer you stay smoke-free.

Now, waking up in the morning doesn’t feel like a chore anymore - it used to feel almost impossible. These days, I just get up and I’m ready to start my day. I really hope I can
spread this awareness and the amazing feelings that come with quitting smoking. The benefits are honestly too good to be true - but they are real: more energy, better health, and
a lot more money!

I’m so glad I made the decision to go on this journey, and having the Healthy Lifestyles team as an anchor point made a huge difference. Knowing there was someone I could turn to for support and guidance, and also someone I felt accountable to, helped massively. I’d absolutely recommend this life change to anyone who smokes. It is possible -and
you can do it!

This Client wants to do all he can to spread the word to others.