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Iraq Veteran Attacks Nicotine Addiction
Norma Brotz, 48 of Wisconsin, has tackled many tough tasks in her life, including a tour of duty in Iraq during Operation Desert Storm. However, the toughest task she has faced might have been battling nicotine addiction since the 1980s. She finally got the help she needed in the form of varenicline from her doctor and coaching from the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line.
Brotz quit in the late ‘80s before starting again in 1991. She had seen ads for the Quit Line at Marshfield Clinic and in restaurants where she and her husband go for fish fries. |
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“With the Quit Line, they talked about things you can do and steps you can take to get ready to quit,” Brotz said. “I determined my quit date, threw out my cigarettes and hid my lighters. The Quit Line helped prepare me.”
Brotz also changed her lifestyle by keeping away from social situations where she knew friends would be smoking and drinking alcohol. “I’m bound and determined. You have to quit for you.”
Brotz said she appreciated the offer to enroll in Operation Quit Tobacco, a program that helps all military personnel quit smoking or chewing. However, since she had already received varenicline from her physician, she only needed coaching from the Quit Line.
“Since I’ve quit, I feel like I can breathe a lot better, I have more energy. The house smells a lot better. Food tastes better.” Now she’s supporting her husband in his quit attempt. “The greatest gift you can give yourself,” she said, “is to quit.”
For more on getting
help to quit smoking, visit our Smokers section. To
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