Quit smoking step-by-step with VA support
The Great American Smokeout is your time to start
It’s not easy to stop smoking, but Veterans may find it less challenging with VA’s step-by-step approach, treatments and support. For the Great American Smokeout on November 19, VA wants Veterans to know that “Success Starts Here” with VA’s tobacco use treatment programs.
Quit smoking with VA’s step-by-step guide
Most people can’t quit smoking by just deciding one day to stop. If you’ve tried and it didn’t work, don’t be discouraged. Here are some steps you can take to increase your chances of success:
Find your motivation for quitting, such as health, family or finances. “That motivation is going to have to come from within,” said Navy Veteran Dustin Johnson, who stopped because of how much he spent on cigarettes. He used the savings to further his education.
Start building a plan online or call 1-855-QUIT-VET (1-855-784-8838) to talk with a quit coach who can work with you to create one.
Meet with your VA healthcare provider about medications and counseling. These make it more than four times as likely that you’ll be able to quit as if you tried to quit cold turkey. Medications and counseling help lessen withdrawal symptoms and help you manage cravings and build healthier routines.
Talk to your provider or quit coach to adjust your plan based on what’s working and what’s not. It’s not uncommon to need changes; your provider and coach will welcome the opportunity to help.
Consider group counseling with other Veterans who are trying to quit. “Listening to other people’s stories and seeing them go through their own trials and experiences is always a helpful tool,” Johnson said. “It helps put more context on it and helps me think about more than just myself.”
Supplement your medications and counseling with other sources of VA support, like the Stay Quit Coach app or daily text messaging with tips and encouragement.
Start stacking the wins
Many efforts to quit smoking include stops and starts. But every craving you resist, every cigarette you pass up and every day you go without tobacco is a win. It shows that you have it within you to stop, with the right tools and support.
Even when you experience a setback, it’s teaching you something that can help you stop for good. Think of these experiences not as setbacks but as opportunities to learn.
“As long as you’re actively trying to stop, you’re going to accomplish something,” said Veteran Douglas Ferrier, whose persistence paid off after multiple setbacks when he found a medication that worked for him.
Now Ferrier is a positive “statistic,” able to count himself among the 78% of VHA-enrolled Veterans with a history of smoking who have stopped using tobacco. Learn more about how you too can use VA treatment and support to quit for good.
