Sarah's Smoking History
Sarah Johnson started smoking in her sophomore year of college, primarily as a way to cope with the stress of her demanding pre-med program. What began as an occasional cigarette during exam periods gradually increased to a half-pack daily habit by the time she graduated.
"I knew the health risks—I was studying to become a doctor, after all," Sarah recalls. "But I convinced myself it was temporary, just to get through school. Then I found myself still smoking three years into my medical residency."
As a healthcare professional, Sarah felt increasingly hypocritical advising patients about the dangers of smoking while hiding her own habit. This cognitive dissonance, combined with worsening asthma symptoms, eventually motivated her to make a serious attempt to quit.
Previous Quit Attempts
Like many smokers, Sarah made several attempts to quit before finding success. Her first attempt was cold turkey, which lasted only three days before the combination of withdrawal symptoms and a particularly stressful shift at the hospital led her back to cigarettes.
She later tried nicotine gum, which helped with the physical cravings but didn't address her psychological dependence on the ritual of smoking as a stress-relief mechanism. Another attempt with a popular quit-smoking app provided motivation initially but lacked the personalized support she needed during critical moments of temptation.
"Each failed attempt was discouraging, but I began to understand that my smoking was deeply connected to how I managed stress. I needed a comprehensive approach that addressed both the physical addiction and my emotional reliance on cigarettes."
The Successful Approach
Sarah's breakthrough came when she approached quitting as she would approach treating a patient—with a comprehensive, evidence-based plan tailored to her specific needs.
- Prescription medication: After consulting with a colleague specializing in addiction medicine, Sarah started varenicline (Chantix), which reduces both cravings and the pleasurable effects of nicotine.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy: She worked with a therapist to identify her smoking triggers and develop healthier coping mechanisms for stress.
- Environmental changes: Sarah temporarily changed her routines to avoid situations strongly associated with smoking, such as taking different routes to work and changing her break schedule.
- Physical activity: She incorporated regular yoga and jogging into her routine, which helped manage stress and improved her lung capacity.
- Accountability partner: She enlisted a fellow doctor who had successfully quit smoking to be her support person during difficult moments.
Overcoming Challenges
Even with her comprehensive approach, Sarah faced significant challenges. The most difficult period came during a week of night shifts in the emergency department, when fatigue and high-stress situations intensified her cravings.
"There was a moment during a particularly chaotic shift when I nearly broke. I texted my accountability partner, who immediately called me. She talked me through the craving and reminded me why I was quitting. That five-minute conversation saved my quit attempt."
Another challenge was managing the side effects of the medication, which included vivid dreams and nausea. By taking the medication with food and adjusting the timing, Sarah was able to minimize these effects while maintaining the benefits.
Life as a Non-Smoker
After three years without cigarettes, Sarah has experienced numerous positive changes:
- Improved health: Her asthma symptoms have significantly decreased, and she no longer needs daily medication to control them.
- Professional integrity: "I can now talk to patients about smoking cessation with complete authenticity, sharing both medical knowledge and personal experience."
- Financial benefits: Sarah has saved over $10,000, which she's investing in a down payment for her first home.
- Improved fitness: She completed her first half-marathon last year, something she never imagined possible as a smoker.
- Better stress management: "I've developed healthier ways to cope with stress that actually address the underlying issues rather than just masking them temporarily."
Advice for Healthcare Professionals
As both a former smoker and a physician, Sarah offers unique insights for healthcare professionals who smoke and want to quit:
"Don't let shame or embarrassment prevent you from seeking help. The cognitive dissonance of being a healthcare provider who smokes can actually be leveraged as motivation for quitting. And remember that understanding addiction firsthand can make you a more empathetic provider for your patients."
She also emphasizes the importance of addressing the unique stressors of medical careers when developing a quit plan. "Healthcare professionals face intense stress, irregular schedules, and a culture that sometimes normalizes unhealthy coping mechanisms. Your quit plan needs to account for these specific challenges."
Today, Sarah volunteers as a smoking cessation counselor for healthcare professionals, using her medical knowledge and personal experience to help others in the field break free from nicotine addiction.
"Quitting smoking was one of the hardest things I've ever done," Sarah concludes, "but it's also been one of the most rewarding. I'm healthier, more authentic in my practice, and I've discovered strength I didn't know I had."
