To Quit smoking side effects is not an easy task but individual counseling can be a big help for smokers. According to the US Public Health Service just about 11% of smokers are able to quit smoking without any therapy. But the use of one-to-one counseling increases the success rate to 17%.
Medications help to quit smoking but the efforts and behavioral modification of the smoker matter a lot. Group therapy and phone counseling are also effective but a one-to-one counseling is tailored for each smoker and hence most effective. A one-to-one therapy is mainly helpful for patients who find it difficult to open up in a group and voice their frustrations. It gives them adequate privacy and a chance to talk openly.
A one-to-one counseling program is different for each person as the want of each person varies from one another. Generally a quit date is agreed upon and discussions take place to prepare for it. The smoker is advised to get rid of all cigarette packets, ashtrays, matches etc. The counselor also suggests informing friends and relatives about the smoker’s intentions to quit smoking. Once the quit date is set, the smoker is asked to focus on his daily chores and find out the circumstances and situations which urge him to light up. He needs to keep a track of the behaviors and stressors which encourage him to smoke. As smoking becomes a routine of their lives, counseling helps them to focus on situations which force them to smoke and hence avoid them. The therapist helps the patient to develop a new set of coping skills and behaviors. They suggest ways to distract oneself and thus avoid triggers. The key to success is to disrupt the usual routine and thus avoid cigarettes.
Medications help to quit smoking but the efforts and behavioral modification of the smoker matter a lot. Group therapy and phone counseling are also effective but a one-to-one counseling is tailored for each smoker and hence most effective. A one-to-one therapy is mainly helpful for patients who find it difficult to open up in a group and voice their frustrations. It gives them adequate privacy and a chance to talk openly.
A one-to-one counseling program is different for each person as the want of each person varies from one another. Generally a quit date is agreed upon and discussions take place to prepare for it. The smoker is advised to get rid of all cigarette packets, ashtrays, matches etc. The counselor also suggests informing friends and relatives about the smoker’s intentions to quit smoking. Once the quit date is set, the smoker is asked to focus on his daily chores and find out the circumstances and situations which urge him to light up. He needs to keep a track of the behaviors and stressors which encourage him to smoke. As smoking becomes a routine of their lives, counseling helps them to focus on situations which force them to smoke and hence avoid them. The therapist helps the patient to develop a new set of coping skills and behaviors. They suggest ways to distract oneself and thus avoid triggers. The key to success is to disrupt the usual routine and thus avoid cigarettes.
