Alex's Answer

Hi there,

 

Thanks for reaching out to Ask Alex. You have been very brave in contacting us about what’s going on for you.

 

You are asking how to quit nicotine and are looking for help with this. It sounds like this could be something you’ve wanted to quit for a while, and it’s a hard thing to do. We know it can be a really hard step to acknowledge that there is a problem and also to ask for help. Nicotine can have many harmful effects on your physical and mental health, and it takes a lot of courage to quit. We hope you’re proud of yourself for taking this courageous step.

 

It may help to think back to when you first started using nicotine and what prompted you to start. Sometimes we may feel under pressure because of what our friends or peers are doing, and we don’t want to feel left out. Other times, we may do things to make ourselves feel better about what’s going on for us. Take some time to think about what comes up for you when you’re considering this. Awareness is a good first step, as it can help us identify any other possible challenges we may face when trying to quit or give up something.

 

Talking to someone about quitting nicotine might also help. This could be a friend or family member, but it’s important that it’s someone you can trust. They can help you come up with a plan to gradually reduce your nicotine intake or even help you connect with support or speak to your GP about quitting. It might sound like a daunting step, but they can offer reassurance and support. We acknowledge that it can be really difficult to do on your own. You might also have a friend who is experiencing something similar, and you may be able to support each other through this process.

Spunout has some helpful articles on their website that may be useful for you to read: spunout.ie/health/smoking/smoking-teens-twenties-2 ; spunout.ie/news/what-effect-does-nicotine-have-on-your-brain .

 

If you don’t feel ready to reach out to someone you trust just yet, you can always chat with us at Childline. We have a 24/7 confidential listening service where we can listen, support, and explore possible options with you. Our freephone number is 1800 66 66 66, or you can go to www.childline.ie where you will be able to access the Live Chat option by clicking on the Orange Tab.

 

We hope this has been helpful for you.We wish you the best of luck with quitting.

Alex