The Spirit World Can Wait: Overcoming Uncertainty and Lack of Confidence in Quitting Tobacco.

A previous QuitLine Corner highlighted the American Indian Commercial Tobacco Program (AICTP) offered by National Jewish Health, Colorado QuitLine vendor.

A recent participant shares that AICTP was key to her success.

American Indian Commercial Tobacco Program or 1-855-5AI-QUIT.

“The coach had an open door policy to call anytime I was in need.” The coach helped her get back on track when she had notions of returning to the smoking life. She was holding down 2 jobs and life got incredibly busy. She felt commercial tobacco was ‘knocking her down, aging her prematurely’ and could rob her of seeing her son and his family in the future. In addition, purchasing cigarettes was ‘pilfering her financial resources’ that could serve her better. She expressed the quit became easy when she knew she wanted a stronger body and protect her lungs in case she became ill (with covid). When she was uncertain or lacked confidence, the coach kept her on ‘a path’*. She learned that triggers don't stay around forever, and she moved away from negative self talk. She finds herself focusing on doing something productive, including using her new found power to assist others. She sees that being smoke free is a tremendous freedom and she ‘basks in the smoke free lifestyle’. She adds that life is precious and she does ‘not wish for an early departure to the spirit world.’ *Remember that nicotine addiction is a chronic relapsing condition. Setting a quit date is not required to participate in the QuitLine. Coaches work with participants to individualize their plan.

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