Andrew’s Story

Andrew’s Journey: Quitting Smoking While Managing Mental Health

For many people living with mental health challenges, quitting smoking can feel impossible. But Andrew’s story shows that with the right support, it is not only achievable – it can transform your life.

Andrew – who lives in Carlisle – smoked for over 40 years. He first started as a teenager, socialising in pubs and following his friends around him. At his heaviest, Andrew smoked around 25 cigarettes a day. It became a big part of daily life, offering a temporary distraction during stressful times – but it came at a cost.

Often feeling tired, he struggled with stamina while playing football and didn’t realise that his mental health was deeply affected by the cycle of addiction.

One year ago, in 2025 after a Mental health crisis triggered by the loss of his father, Andrew found himself in hospital in Carlisle.

It was a difficult time. He was coping with the grief of losing his dad, exhaustion, and the challenge of not being able to smoke in hospital. This is when the incredible work of Lindy and the team at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust made all the difference.

“They gave me the right vapes, they made sure that support was always available, and helped me manage my withdrawal symptoms,” Andrew explains. “The support from Lindy and the team was amazing – I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Using a combination of vaping and personalised guidance, Andrew gradually replaced cigarettes with better and healthier things in life.  He embraced new routines, including his love of walking in the lakes with his partner Joanne, gym sessions, and football – activities that had once been impossible due to the physical toll of smoking. There’s also a new member of the family his puppy Indalo.

 

He also benefited from mental health support, including the right medication and therapy, helping him feel more balanced and hopeful about the future.

The results have been life changing. Andrew has now been smoke-free since October 2025.  Physically, he feels stronger, fitter, and more energetic. Mentally, he feels calmer and more positive, free from the anxiety and depressive effects that had previously weighed him down. The money he used to spend on cigarettes now goes towards something he loves his new car.

Lindy a Tobacco Treatment Advisor at CNTW NHS FT said:“Andrew is a real inspiration to others. His story shows that circumstances don’t stay the same forever — tomorrow really is another day. I want people to know that no matter how difficult things feel right now, it can get better. Seeing Andrew and the way his life has changed is an incredibly proud moment for me and the whole team. This is exactly why we do what we do.”

 

Andrew believes strongly in the link between smoking and mental health. “I used to think smoking helped my mental health, but the reality is it made it worse. Stopping has given me a clearer mind and a healthier life.”

His advice to others struggling with smoking, especially those managing mental health conditions, is simple but powerful: “Try. Use distraction techniques and get some support. It’s worth it. You’ll live longer, feel healthier, and enjoy life more.”

Andrew’s story shows the life-changing impact of NHS expert support combined with determination.

Thanks to CNTW NHS FT and professionals like Lindy, people with mental health challenges can not only quit smoking – they can thrive.