I’m too stressed to quit
Sometimes using tobacco seems like the only way to deal with stress, unpleasant feelings, or problems. Reach out for help instead of another cigarette. Browse our list of FREE resources.
Page last updated on January 6, 2022.
Life can be stressful and overwhelming. Stress can make it hard to even think about quitting smoking. Even if you’re not ready to quit today, a Quit Coach at the California Smoker’s Helpline can connect you to local programs and services to help you find new, #tobaccofree ways to manage stress.
All tobacco products are harmful to your health. There is no safe level of tobacco use. When problems are getting out of our control, reaching out for help is the only way to solve them.
All tobacco products contain nicotine. Nicotine is highly addictive, and it causes your body to release:
Endorphins make you feel happy for a short amount of time.
Dopamine teaches the brain to repeat the same behavior, such as using tobacco.
Adrenaline stimulates your brain, making you feel more alert and awake. It also increases your blood pressure and accelerates breathing and heart rate.
Smoking tobacco products, vaping, or using any other products that contain nicotine can make you feel temporarily happy, energetic, and relaxed. Nicotine causes you to crave more and more tobacco products.
Nicotine is so highly addictive that many people struggle to quit tobacco use. After a while, tobacco products no longer help you relax. Instead, you may feel as if you need to smoke simply to feel normal.
All tobacco products are harmful to your health. There is no safe level of tobacco use. When problems are getting out of our control, reaching out for help is the only way to solve them.
Common Things That Cause Stress
COVID-19: Food
Find free food and free meals near you. Get help with food expenses by applying to CalFresh and WIC. Sign up for free meal delivery for older adults.
covid19.lacounty.gov/get-support/
Great Plates Delivered
LA County WDACS offers 3 home-delivered meals a day to help older adults and adults at high risk from COVID-19 stay home and stay healthy.
wdacs.lacounty.gov/greatplates/
World Harvest Food Bank
Low-Cost Groceries
3100 Venice Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90019
213.746.2227
worldharvestla.org
Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
Food Pantries
1734 East 41st Street
Los Angeles, CA 90058
Phone: 323-234-3030
Fax: 323-234-0943
lafoodbank.org/find-food/pantry-locator
CalFRESH
CalFresh benefits help families obtain food and purchase healthy choices like vegetables and fruits.
Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services
213-974-1311
Apply online:
dpssbenefits.lacounty.gov/ybn/SignInPage.html
Locate an office near you:
dpss.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/dpss/main/home/office-locations?program=calfresh&title=CalFresh%20Offices
211 LA County
Free and confidential 24/7 referral service. Find the services you need.
Use the website, chat live with an advisor, or call 2-1-1 from any phone.
One Degree
Online free service to help find local resources for families
Los Angeles County Housing Resources Center
Online listing of affordable, special-needs, accessible emergency housing.
877-428-8844
housing.lacounty.gov/index.html
Los Angeles Housing and Community Investment Department
Provides listing of resources on how to find affordable housing and special programs such as Handyworker program and Family Source Centers.
866-557-7368; TTY 213-473-3231
hcidla2.lacity.org/low-income-populationsa.lacity.org/low-income-populations
Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles
Provides affordable housing.
2600 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90057
213-252-2514
Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles
Provides affordable housing.
700 West Main Street
Alhambra, CA 91801
626-262-4510
Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles (Palmdale Office)
2323 Palmdale Blvd, Suite B
Palmdale, CA 93550
(661) 575-1511
Affordable Living for the Aging
Provides affordable housing, supportive services, and alternative housing options for low-income and formerly homeless seniors.
2029 Century Part East, Suite 4393
Los Angeles, CA 90067
323-650-7988
alaseniorliving.org/seeking-housing
211 LA County
Free and confidential referral service.
Call 211 from any land line or mobile phone
One Degree
Online free service to help find local housing resources for families.
California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKS)
CalWORKS provides financial help to families with (or expecting) children to help pay for housing, food, utilities, health care, and for assistance with other services for refugees, trafficking victims, and disaster victims.
California Department of Social Services
800-952-5253
General Relief
Provides financial assistance to adults in need who are ineligible for federal or state programs.
Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services
866-613-3777
Apply Online:
dpssbenefits.lacounty.gov/ybn/GRDownloads.html
COVID-19: Tenants & Landlords
What you need to know about temporary rent freezes and eviction moratoriums.
covid19.lacounty.gov/tenants-and-landlords/
211 LA County
Free and confidential referral service.
Call 211 from any land line or mobile phone
One Degree
Online free service to help find local resources for families.
Workforce Development: Aging and Community Services
Los Angeles County America’s Job Centers of California
Offers assistance in finding a job.
342 N. San Fernando Road
Los Angeles, CA 90031
323-539-2000
888-226-6300
wdacs.lacounty.gov/programs/workforce-development
211 LA County
Free and confidential 24/7 referral service. Find the services you need. Use the website, chat live with an advisor, or call 2-1-1 from any phone.
211la.org/resources/subcategory/income-employment
One Degree
Online free service to help find local resources.
Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS)
DHS offers health care for adults, seniors, and children, including general health care, specialty care, rehabilitation care, emergency services, inpatient services, and pharmacy services.
Find a hospital or clinic near you: dhs.lacounty.gov/find-a-clinic-or-hospital
Learn more about the health services DHS provides: dhs.lacounty.gov
Find the right health coverage option for you:
DHS – Health Coverage Options (LA County)
Los Angeles Health Line
Offers a health risk assessment over the phone with referral to health improvement workshops or classes.
800-793-8090
publichealth.lacounty.gov/owh/
Maternal and Child Health Access
Provides referrals for mothers and their children.
1111 West 6th Street, Fourth Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90017
213-749-4261
Dental Care, Young Adults and Children
Provides dental care to young adults and children.
LAC+USC Medical Center
1100 N. State Street
Building A, Clinic Tower, A3C
Los Angeles, California 90033
323-409-1000
Los Angeles LGBT Center
Provides physical, mental, addiction health care, pharmacy services, and social services (domestic violence, housing, legal, support groups and education).
1625 N. Schrader Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028-6213
323-993-7400
lalgbtcenter.org/about-the-center
Substance Abuse Treatment
Los Angeles County Substance Abuse Prevention and Control
publichealth.lacounty.gov/sapc
Substance Abuse and Service Helpline: 844-804-7500
For online treatment services locator:
sapccis.ph.lacounty.gov/sbat
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Suicide Prevention: 800-273-TALK (8255)
24/7 Treatment Referral Line: 800-662-HELP (4357)
SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 800-662-HELP (4357)
Online Treatment Services Locator:
samhsa.gov/find-help
findtreatment.samhsa.gov
Department of Mental Health
24/7 Mental Health Helpline: 800-854-7771
For online treatment services locator:
dmh.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/dmh/our_services
211 LA County
Free and confidential referral service. Find the services you need.
Use the website, chat live with an advisor, or call 2-1-1 from any phone.
211la.org/resources/subcategory/healthcare
One Degree
Online free service to help find local resources
Los Angeles County Hotline (24 Hours)
800-978-3600
National Domestic Violence Hotline (24 Hours)
800-799-7233
LA County Child Abuse Hotline (24 Hours)
800-540-4000
Elder Abuse Reporting Hotline (24 Hours)
877-477-3646
LA County COVID-19 Resource Page
Find tools + information on renters, landlords, homelessness, food, property taxes, seniors, immigration, legal resources, and cooling centers.
One Degree COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Resource Guide
Find help with childcare, education, unemployment, finances, food, physical health, mental health, homelessness, eviction, seniors, taxes.
about.1degree.org/covid-19-la-en
Let’s Feed LA
Find free food and free meals near you. Get help with food expenses by applying to CalFresh and WIC. Sign up for free meal delivery for older adults.
COVID-19 Resources for Immigrants
Get tested and treated for coronavirus regardless of immigration status. COVID-19 financial and housing assistance from LA County Office of Immigrant Affairs.
oia.lacounty.gov/coronavirus-updates
NoButts.org/COVID
Talk to a Quit Coach via phone call, text message, or live chat. Get connected to local programs and download free resources including the No Butts + No Vapes mobile apps.
COVID-19 and Tobacco: What You Need to Know Now
Learn whether people who smoke or vape are at more risk, what happens to your lungs when you smoke or vape, and whether smoke can spread COVID-19.
tobaccofreeca.com/health/covid-19-and-tobacco-what-you-need-to-know
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
800-273-8255
Trevor Lifeline (24 Hours): LGBT/LGBTQIA
866-488-7386
Didi Hirsch Community Mental Health Services 24 hour Crisis Line/Suicide Prevention:
877-727-4747
877-7-CRISIS
211 LA County
Free and confidentiareferral service. Find the services you need. Use the website, chat live with an advisor,or call 2-1-1 from any phone.
211la.org/resources/subcategory/mental-health
One Degree
Online free service to help find local resources.
Resources
Kick It California 1-800-300-8086
Get free, personalized help from a Quit Coach via phone call, text message, or live chat. Previously known as the CA Smokers’ Helpline or 1-800-NO-BUTTS, Kick It California can connect you to local programs and offers the free No Butts + No Vapes mobile apps.
Kick It California – QUIT-SMOKING
State and Local Cessation Resources
Get a list of available local, state and national quitting tobacco and vaping resources you need.
Tobacco Cessation Resources 2023
Cessation Clinics in Los Angeles County
Find a smoking cessation clinic near you serving in Los Angeles County.
Smoking Cessation Insurance Clinic Resources 2023