Jacqueline Watkins is a Senior Risk Management Specialist and has worked for the County for 15 years. She recently participated in the county’s Freedom from Smoking Program put on by the Health Department. Since joining the program, she went from smoking half a pack of cigarettes daily, to only smoking 2 a day. She is continuing the techniques taught in the Freedom from Smoking class and believes she will be cigarette free soon. Here are a few words about her experience:
“I started my smoking cessation program by rationing cigarettes daily and reducing the number gradually. I stopped smoking in my bedroom, I leave my cigarette pack in another room which means that I have to get out of a nice, warm, cozy bed to get a cigarette. Another method learned last night is tracking our craving for nicotine and mood when we are in when we crave nicotine. We each were given a workbook which contains these little cards to help track each pack of cigarettes smoked. It is interesting to see the triggers that cause us to want to smoke.
I am excited to have a formal way to track my progress and a support group to help me work on my smoking addiction. The group sharing was great last night and we all agreed to support each other through this journey to nicotine freedom.”
Be sure to congratulate Jacqueline on her progress and encourage healthy habits to those around you!
