Tips to Stop Smoking
with Doug McManus, M.D., Internal Medicine, Advanced Healthcare
Smokers don't need to hear anymore about the dangers of smoking. The news is full of it and chances are they read that news as if their lives depended on it, looking for some new reason to try to quit, some new method that will help them break the addiction.
"There is an actual addiction to the nicotine and people have to treat it as such," Dr. McManus said. "People who are alcoholic say it is harder to give up smoking than it is drinking.
"But the hardest part of quitting smoking is making the decision to do it. Usually, I have patients pick a quit date then start to work on their mental attitude toward smoking. I want them to try to pick reasons why they want to quit. People always have a lot reasons for why they can't quit so I try to get them to change that around."
Once someone has decided on a quit date, Dr. McManus suggests you share this information with family and friends. This will make it harder for you to change your mind about quitting.
Two weeks before a quit date, Dr. McManus starts his patients on Zyban. "I tell them to try to cut their smoking in half before their quit date. I suggest they make it inconvenient to smoke by not carrying their cigarettes with them. I tell them to start strategizing about the times they are most tempted."
On their quit date, Dr, McManus also starts them on a nicotine replacement. "A patch or gum are both effective. I keep them on both for about 3 months, until they are pretty well through their craving."
Because giving up smoking is similar to giving up alcohol, Dr. McManus recommends a similar attitude to that adopted by Alcoholics Anonymous. "You don't say I am never going to smoke again. You say, I won't smoke for the next day, or even the next hour. Just string those successes together."
And when you've broken the habit, be warned: Far too many people become complacent about smoking. After months, or even years, they get tempted to light up. But it is an addiction, one the body hasn't ever forgotten and the temptation of just one cigarette may start the whole addiction process all over again.
Health Classes and Seminars
Advanced Healthcare professionals offer classes on health topics related to diet, weight management, exercise, stress reduction, smoking cessation and diabetes management. To check on programs that may already be scheduled or to request a speaker for your business, women's club or other organization, please call the Advanced HealthLine at 262-512-2880 (toll-free metro area at 1-888-709-2080) or contact the Advanced Healthcare Marketing Department at 262-532-6888. Let us know, too, if you are interested in other topics that we might be able to cover for your and your organization.
Freedom from Smoking support Groups at Columbia St. Mary's
http://www.columbia-stmarys.com/body.cfm?id=28
More free health advice from Dr. McManus:
Get Up and Get Moving - Sensibly
Healthy New Year's Resolutions
