I am no longer a smoker, and I mean it

This Stoptober, Dave McKelvey, 50, from Wirral, is sharing his journey to becoming smokefree in the hope it helps someone else take the first step. Dave, who works professionally in addiction recovery, quit smoking with support from ABL Wirral’s free stop smoking service.

This wasn’t the first time I’d tried to quit. I’d used the service years before and managed to stop smoking for around 18 months, but I started again while recovering from an operation that left me pretty much housebound for a while. Smoking became a sort of release for me. When I found out I had another operation coming up, I knew I had to stop again before it went ahead. So I went back to ABL Wirral.

For me, quitting was much more of a psychological challenge than a physical one. The physical side of nicotine addiction eases off after just a few days, and if I’m honest, I often forgot to even put on the patches ABL Wirral gave me. What really helped was the mindset the team helped me build.

Dave McKelvey said,

“I am no longer a smoker. Once you think of yourself that way, having ‘just one’ isn’t even up for discussion, because I don’t smoke, ever. Not even the odd one.”

The carbon monoxide test at every appointment helped too. I wanted to see the numbers drop, and it meant I couldn’t cheat. You can’t say you haven’t smoked when you have. And it’s nice to know you’re not doing this by yourself, that support is there whenever you need it. I’m a recovering alcoholic, and I now work in the recovery field myself, supporting other people through addiction and into sobriety, so I know exactly how hard it is to beat any addiction on your own. Having the right support around you is vital on that journey, whatever the addiction.

I live with a number of health conditions, including chronic kidney disease, which can really zap your energy. I can honestly say I breathe a lot more easily now, and I’m sure I’d be in far worse health if I hadn’t stopped smoking. I don’t stink of cigarette smoke any more, my fingers aren’t stained, and I’m saving more than £300 a month that used to go up in smoke on cigarettes. I’m not the only one who’s benefited, either. My dog has never known me as a smoker, so he’s never had to breathe in secondhand smoke. And my new car has never been smoked in.

My advice to anyone thinking about quitting

The best advice I was given was not to rush it, or force it. The timing has to be right for you, and you need to be in the right mindset before you can stop for good. If I could speak to myself before I started this time, I’d say: take your time, and keep going to your appointments even if you haven’t stopped completely yet. Embrace the alternatives the team offer you. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself, and be honest about how you’re getting on.

Dave McKelvey added,

“If you’re thinking about quitting, start by identifying as a non-smoker, not just someone who’s trying to give up. When those thoughts and cravings creep in, you can shut them down straight away. No, I am a non-smoker, and I do not smoke, ever.”

Dave’s story is one of many across Wirral, where local people are quitting smoking with specialist support and enjoying the benefits of a smokefree life. Since 2016, ABL Wirral’s stop smoking service has helped more than 13,000 local people quit for good. The support is completely free, and commissioned by Wirral Council.

Stoptober is here, and 28 smokefree days makes you five times more likely to quit for good. The average ten-a-day smoker could save around £175 over the month.

To find out more or have a no-obligation chat with one of our friendly team, call 0151 541 5656 or visit ablwirral.co.uk.