Confessions of a Closet Smoker - Kay's Story

Few smokers are proud of their habit, but for the closet smoker, the guilt can be crippling. The secrecy involved is a heavy burden to carry, and doubly so when it comes to recovery from nicotine addiction, because closet smokers are often unable to receive encouragement from friends and family when they need it most.

From Kay:

"For the last 16 years, I have been living like someone I don't even recognize. It was just getting worse and worse. Every time I smoked, I would feel enormous guilt. I am just beginning to realize what life with me must have been like for my family, constantly distracted, spending most of my time scurrying around, making sure they are settled, catering to their every whim because if they are involved in something else, I could go outside and surely they wouldn't look for me if their every need is met?"

Personal Quit Stories:

• What an Investment! - from Michelle

• The View at Six Months - from Mary

• A New Sense of Pride - from Gail

Cartoon courtesy of David Stuart