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Elise Daniels, Quit Tobacco Health Hero

Elise has now been smoke free for over three months. Her daughter and son-in-law have also quit smoking. “I didn’t tell them to quit. I just told them to pick a date – that’s important. And I told them how good I felt. Picking up the habit

Elise started smoking at 14, trying to keep up with her older brother. “Everything he did, I did,” Elise said. She continued smoking for another 30 years – although she did quit during her pregnancies. “Once I found out I was pregnant I would hand over my cigarettes to my doctor and quit smoking immediately,” Elise said. “But as soon as my babies were old enough for me to go outside, I started smoking again. It felt like a break to do something for me.”

Mini-quit

Elise went through a ‘mini-quit’ in 2004, when she enrolled in Free and Clear Quit for Life Program through Group Health. “It went well for a month,” Elise said. “But I wasn’t mentally ready. I used every excuse in the book to smoke. I knew I wasn’t going to make it – I think you know when you’re ready.”

After Elise’s ‘mini-quit’ in 2004, she didn’t really like to smoke – it was more of a habit. “I would start my day with a cigarette. It sounds funny, but it made my lungs open up and got me going. I liked the way it made my lungs feel.” But then Elise had a little heart scare. “It scared me. I was getting older. I thought I’m buying time.” That’s when Elise decided to give the Free & Clear Program another try.

Quitting for good

When Elise called to re-enroll in the program, she discovered that it had changed for the better since 2004. “After the enrollment call they send you patches in the mail – three months worth at no charge – no copay. Then you set a quit date. I set my birthday.” The night before her quit date, Elise was determined to smoke until midnight. “But I fell asleep at 10:30 p.m. I was so mad when I woke up!”

Ingredients for Success

On her first smoke free day Elise cleaned out her house and car. “I threw out my ashtrays and everything else that reminded me of smoking. I didn’t know what my triggers would be. Originally it was day by day because it was very hard. But the coaches call you – that helps. I was apprehensive but they supported me. They said ‘you’ll do it,’” Elise recalled.

Another important support system for Elise has been her co-workers. Elise has been a King County employee for six years, the past two as a Legislative Secretary II in the Ombudsman’s Office. “My work group here was the best. They’d take me out to walk and talk. I didn’t even realize they were doing this for me until they threw me a surprise two-month smoke-free party.”

But Elise admits that it hasn’t always been easy to adjust to life without smoking cigarettes. “I started to feel left out – some of my family members would sneak out on my deck for a smoke break and when I went out there they’d all look really guilty.” And Elise gained some weight after she stopped smoking. “I’m okay with it though,” she said. “Quitting helped me learn a lot about myself. I threw out my whole morning routine – the make-up, everything – and it was so liberating.”

Three months smoke free and reason to celebrate

On the 15th of every month Elise pats herself on the back for making it another month without smoking cigarettes. “It’s just not part of my habit anymore. It just went away. I don’t miss it. I don’t know why I’d ever start again.”

Elise has now been smoke free for over three months. Her daughter and son-in-law have also quit smoking. “I didn’t tell them to quit. I just told them to pick a date – that’s important. And I told them how good I felt. Everyone wants to feel good, right?”

Tips from Elise

Elise’s advice to other county employees who want to quit smoking:

  • Be realistic. Set a quit date that means something to you and is far enough in advance.  If you set a quit date that’s too soon, the more scared you get and the easier it is to back out.
  • Tell people – co-workers, friends and family. They help hold you accountable when you’re trying to quit.
  • Find a way to redirect your desire to smoke – I would rub my nicotine patch when I felt like I had a craving. It was psychological, but it helped me get through the cravings. 
  • Have something to look forward to – Elise’s one year anniversary of being smoke free will be her 50th birthday. “I wanted to be able to do this on my birthday without having to go sit down. So I’m going to roller skate – and get in the middle and do the hokey pokey.”  That’s what it’s all about.

Ready to quit?

  • Beginning January 1, 2010, Free and Clear will be available for all King County employees and benefits covered spouses/domestic partners (KingCare and Group Health) at no cost to participants.

  • Starting in 2010, employees and covered spouses/domestic partners who want to quit can enroll in Free and Clear and have it count as their Healthy Incentives ProgramSM Individual Action Plan. Taking the annual Wellness Assessment before January 30, 2010 and participating in an Individual Action Plan before June 30, 2010 earns you the gold out-of-pocket expense level for 2011.

If you don’t want to wait to quit, other King County benefits can help you be smoke free:

  • Visit your doctor and talk about quitting tobacco. Your doctor can help you determine which medical options are best suited for you.

  • Group Health members – call 800-462-5327 or visit www.quitnow.net/GHC for information about participation in Group Health’s Free and Clear program. Nicotine replacement therapy (patch, gum, etc.) is free with the program.

  • KingCareSM members – call 800-462-5327 or visit www.freeclear.com for information on community resources provided by Free and Clear. You may also receive free nicotine replacement therapy (patch, gum, etc.) – you will be reimbursed for costs.