---

Noel Ward is a Trainer working with Substance abuse and HIV - he was a smoker for 30 years. He came to see Julie in June 2004 and wrote this in December.

Dear Julie,

Yesterday I celebrated 6 months smoke free! I came to see you in June this year.

Before this I had tried every method you can image to help me to stop smoking from pure "cold turkey" through patches, joining groups, gum, acupuncture and hypnosis tapes. I always managed to stop in the short term as I find the initial "withdrawal" easy. My problems always began between 3 and six weeks later when I was overcome with craving and relapsed.

On each occasion I felt terrible about myself for failing and ended up smoking more than before. When I wasn't smoking I was thinking of it constantly and feeling resentful when other people smoked. I felt bereaved and that there was a huge something missing from my life. I was unable to go to social gatherings (especially where alcohol was) without feeling uncomfortable, and if I did I often just had the one, (or two or three) cigarettes or left early to avoid temptation.

I approached 'breakthehabit' in desperation but also with a good amount of cynicism. I guess a part of me still wanted to be able to smoke, but I had recognised the cost and the heath risks were now unacceptable for me. The constant battle between not wanting to smoke, but still doing it was wearing me down.

I cannot begin to describe how my experience with you changed everything. After my session I still didn't believe I would not smoke but as the days slipped by I realised I was not smoking and I was not even thinking about it until other people mentioned it. It was like it was something I used to do but not part of me anymore. When I see people smoking I don't resent it at all and want to tell them how I stopped. Almost straight away I knew I
would never smoke again. I had not felt this in my 30 years of smoking. I promised myself that I would not write to you until 6 months was up but my certainty is just as strong.

I am not smoking, I will never smoke again and it is NO effort at all. It’s as though I never smoked.  I am financially better off and my health is notably improved. I can be near smokers and it doesn't bother me in the slightest (apart from the smell) and I have been in  every social situation and it has not bothered me in the least.

Thank you for setting me free from smoking. This was the best thing I ever did and money well spent.

I am happy for you to use this unsolicited testimonial in your publicity.

Have a happy Christmas

Yours sincerely

Noel Ward
Happy none smoker after 30 years.

Added: June 2005

Hi Julie,

Hope you are well.

Just thought I would drop you a line to let you know that today is the first anniversary of coming to see you and I am still a relieved happy non smoker.

Thanks for all your help

Noel Ward