"Stopping smoking"

Have used the NHS stop smoking drop in clinic at Stirling Community Hospital.

I first contacted them back in late ‘23 and had a good discussion with Kathleen. I was very apprehensive about stopping as last time I tried I had to go back to cigarettes, my mental health was suffering and the pharmacy I was using for support at that time refused to give me any further patches and said there were worse things for my health than smoking. This left me very unsure and worried going into it again. 

Kathleen was very reassuring and fully listened to my concerns. From discussion we decided it was better to wait the new year for the change, as so much extra stress over the Christmas period and I wanted to give myself the best shot at success. Kathleen got back in touch with me in the new year, and again listened and understood that I wasn’t quite ready yet. She stayed in touch, and after a few false starts (illness for me, no clinic due to terrible weather etc) I made it to clinic. I was still fully smoking at this time, and didn’t know if I was ready.

Again Kathleen was very patient, understanding and encouraging. She sent me away with patches, some reading, and the reassurance of continued support whatever happened. My quit date was one week later. I really wasn’t sure how it would go, if it would stick at all, but back at clinic a week later and I was still stopped. Kathleen again was so supportive, I was still quite anxious at this point and she was very understanding of this.

I’ve now made it to my 12 weeks with not one slip. Really couldn’t have done it without the service, and Kathleen in particular.