What Is "This Is Quitting"?
It's a free and anonymous text messaging program from Truth Initiative designed to help young people quit vaping.
How "This Is Quitting" Works
Alabama Public Health Department established a partnership with Truth Initiative to bring "This Is Quitting" to Alabama. The first-of-its-kind quit program incorporates messages from other young people like them who have attempted to, or successfully quit, e-cigarettes. Our messages show the real side of quitting, both the good and the bad, to help young people feel motivated, inspired and supported throughout their quitting process. We also send young people evidence-based tips and strategies to quit and stay quit. This is Quitting is tailored based on age (within 13 to 24 years old) and product usage to give teens and young adults appropriate recommendations about quitting.
To enroll in Alabama's This is Quitting, teens and young adults text VAPEFREEAL to 88709. The first messages they receive will ask for their age and product usage so that they are able to receive relevant messages. Users receive one age-appropriate message per day tailored to their enrollment date or quit date, which can be set and reset via text message.
Those who are not ready to quit receive at least four weeks of messages focused on building skills and confidence. Users with a quit date receive one week of messages prior to that date and at least eight weeks of messages after their quit date. Throughout the program, users can text COPE, STRESS, SLIP or MORE to receive instant support. Upon completion of the program, users receive periodic text messages from truth® and may continue to use supportive keywords for as long as they like.
Here’s what some young people have to say about the program:
They are cool, they make me feel as if I’m not alone in this journey. – Anonymous, teen
They make it seem like there is a way out of addiction. – Chase, teen
It expresses the emotions of quitting from other people. – domlussier, teen
They’re the one thing rooting for me to quit. – EG, teen
They’re not super in your face. They serve as a quick “hey don’t do the thing you’re thinking about right now”. - Cole, teen
They encourage me not to JUUL, they offer alternatives when I get a craving. I started going to the gym and working out instead of JUULing. – Scarlett, young adult
They remind me there’s no room to turn back to something harmful. – Meredith, young adult
Our Partners
Who Is APC
The Addiction Prevention Coalition (APC) is a non-profit community resource that aims to eliminate addiction in Central Alabama. Originally named The Freedom Source, APC has been providing support for the greater Birmingham area for over a decade. Through our in-school prevention programs, educational events, and our collection of support services, APC aims to be a convener of organizations united to prevent addiction and relapse.
Our Mission
Show that substance abuse is a deadly epidemic, lessen the shame and hopelessness of those who are struggling, and provide education and connection to enable people to find or maintain wholeness, safety, and sobriety.
Our Purpose
Communicate awareness of the ADDICTION problem and inspire hope. Provide education for the PREVENTION of substance abuse. Assist those seeking CONNECTION by creating Coalition in the community.
In Partnership With
Focus Program
Focus Program is student-led prevention of adolescent risk behaviors. Empowering student to be actively involved in reducing incidences of risky behaviors among their peers.
Alabaster For Tomorrow
For Tomorrow is an active coalition in the city of Alabaster, AL educating and empowering youth, families, and communities to eradicate drugs and prevent substance use. Together, we can all make a difference today for tomorrow.
Drug Free Andalusia
Drug Free Andalusia is an active coalition in the city of Andalusia, AL. Their mission is to prevent and reduce substance use among youth in Andalusia.