Caitlin Whyte (Host): Every year, thousands of people decide they're ready to quit smoking. But for many, it's not as simple as putting down a cigarette. Nicotine addiction is powerful, and for those who have tried to quit time and time again, it can feel impossible.

On this episode of In Their Words, brought to you by UPMC in Central PA and the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation, you'll hear from Bill Attard, who smoked for nearly five decades after picking up his first cigarette at just 13 years old. After countless unsuccessful attempts to quit, he found something different through UPMC's Smoking Cessation program: education, accountability, encouragement, and a community of people who understood exactly what he was going through. Now, six years smoke-free, Bill shares the lessons that changed his life and why no matter how many times you've tried before, it's never too late to try again.

Bill Attard: A brief background is I started smoking when I was 13. And I've tried to quit, "Oh, I can't even remember how many times." And I have a very addictive personality. So, it was very hard. It was just too easy to buy a pack of cigarettes. And I made it very hard to get through my urges. And I just want to say that I'm not one of those people that could quit easy, right? I pretty much gave up on trying to quit. And the last time, I started to feel it in my chest. It was starting to get where I couldn't breathe very well, and I really didn't even enjoy smoking cigarettes anymore, but I still couldn't quit. This program was Pamela Miller was invited to my workplace. The company had paid for it. And they asked people if they wanted to try quitting, and I figured why not give it another shot, because it was free.

So, Pam came. It was a six-week program. I believe it was an hour each session, and we went through a chapter every time we met, in a binder, a book. And it discussed, the things that the nicotine does to you, what cigarettes do to you, how to handle triggers, all that stuff.

But the biggest thing was that it was when you had a group of people and everybody was the discussion. You know, you would read from the book. Then, that would turn into a discussion amongst the people in the group, and you'd find that you have so much in common. Everybody is going through the same process and the same triggers and pretty much everything you're experiencing they experienced.

So, I found it very interesting because you didn't feel like you were alone. And you got ideas from different people, different things that they've tried that maybe you want to try. And it just works better when you have accountability and you get different ideas with people. So, we went through the course here at work for six weeks. But then, I continued with Pamela. I went through another course at the hospital. The same thing, but with different people. So, doing it twice was more beneficial because I got even more in input from other people and it just worked well with the other methods of quitting.

In the past, I've tried the patches and everything that's out there to try to quit. And it just never worked. With this program, with this smoking cessation, and also doing the patches or whatever else it takes to get through it and not rushing through it, that was the biggest part of it that I learned, is that you can't rush through it.

I am one of those people that I am not one that can quit easy. Like I said, I have a very addictive personality. So, it's very hard for me to stop something. So, I really give Pamela and that program a lot of credit. I think because of that program, I am smoke-free for six years. And that's just unbelievable for me.

To be honest with you,. I can't believe I've gone that far. And it was because you can't say enough about not rushing it if it takes two or three cessation classes. And staying on step one of the patches for three months, so be it. It's a lot cheaper than cigarettes these days. So, take it slow. That's all I could say is take it slow and let it work its course.

But we did talk about our past. And primarily, we talked about what we were going through at this moment, how we were feeling physically, mentally, and how many attempts we've made to quit. All the triggers that we have. I mean, it is like your whole life revolves around smoking. You'd be surprised that everybody is going through the same thing as far as smoking being part of your life. Everything you did, you know, you got in the car and you lit up a cigarette, you lit a cigarette before you got to work, you get lit a cigarette before you walked in the door.

Everybody said the same thing. And it was kind of enlightening that you are not different. And it's very, very addictive. So, I think I started, I think I liked the smell of it. It was just like any other drug, I guess you do it once. As a matter of fact, I didn't even like it the first time, but the nicotine got to me.

I grew up in New York. And that's where I started. I was in the Navy for four years and then moved to California for 20 years. I remember trying to quit a few times out in California. And, you know, it's as soon as you get a little stressed or something bothers you or makes you angry, it was just too easy to stop at the local store and buy a pack. You look for any excuse to buy a pack of cigarettes.

Mainly in my lungs, especially in the later part, I noticed I couldn't take a full breath comfortably. From everything I did, took a lot more, and you also lose all your senses, your sense of smell and everything else, your sense of taste, especially the smell. You know how you smell that coffee in the morning. And I don't feel it in my chest. I know if I would've continued to smoke, I would've been in pretty sad shape, it was very uncomfortable feeling. And you can't take a full breath.

I walk through like a supermarket, and there's somebody in front of me that just came out of that car smoking a cigarette and I can't believe I smelt like that, bad. And that's where the cessation class comes in because you can click with somebody. And then, you support each other. So, you could get the phone number and then you could just talk to them because people who haven't smoked or just can quit on a whim or smoke one once a month or whatever, they really don't understand what you're feeling.

What kind of money was I spending? A pack a day. At the time, it was probably around $7 a pack. So, I I can't do the math in my head. But actually what I did is I got an app on my phone. And it kept track of how many cigarettes you didn't smoke. How many days and how much money you've saved and all that stuff. So, the app also works into the program.

There's plenty of apps on your phone. But that kind of helped keep track of how much money was that. Like right now, I think it threw almost $10 a pack. The shame of it is that, when you are young, you don't see the future. You don't see the damage. Until it's there.

The discussions helped a lot getting the ideas from different people and knowing that, yeah. They are going through the same thing you are going through, talking about, triggers and how to avoid the triggers. Like Pam was talking about having to change your route to work. Because if you take the same route every day, your routine's going to be the same with the cigarettes. Break that cycle is pretty much what you got to do is break the cycle. I would highly recommend it.

Most of the people at work that went through the course didn't make it, but this was my time and it was given to me. Really, I appreciate the management. I don't know who initiated the course if Pam came here or the job called them. That's why I said, "Well, how can I not try? It's a matter of not giving up. Just keep going and don't rush it. That's my take.

Even just the discomfort, even just the weakness, the strength. You know, I never thought I'd barely go to work without smoking because everything revolved around. I had to go out and have a cigarette before I did this. I had to have a cigarette before I did this. And so, I panicked. I don't know if I could do it if I don't have a cigarette. But I don't know how long it actually took to where I stopped feeling the urge. YAnd you still have the occasional thoughts, but not enough to get you to go back. But I don't think it ever goes away. There's always going to be something.

And that's the other thing, is that the triggers are all over the place. It does feel empowering. I feel proud of myself to be honest with you. Pamela is a great teacher. If you have any questions or issues or whatever it may be, she's there to help you. And I can't thank her enough.

Host: Bill's story is a powerful reminder that lasting change rarely happens overnight. Sometimes success comes from having the right support, the right resources, and the willingness to keep trying. Programs like UPMC's Smoking Cessation Program provide patients with the tools, guidance, and encouragement they need to take control of their health one step at a time.

Through the support of donors to the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation, programs like this can continue reaching individuals and families across our communities. Thank you for listening to In Their Words. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who might find hope in Bill's story.

To learn more about the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation and the programs your generosity supports, visit our website. Until next time, thanks for listening.