Stop Smoking Group Therapy Meetings Start February 2012

Quick Facts

  • Quitting tobacco is the single most important thing you can do to improve your health (U.S. Surgeon General).
  • Tobacco killed an estimated 100 million people worldwide in the 20th century (Who, 2008)
  • Tobacco is the single greatest contributor to morbidity and mortality in the United States (US DHHS, 2004)
  • Tobacco is the only legally available consumer product which kills people when used an intended (Walton, et al., 1994)
  • Tobacco is one of the most addictive substances
  • Tobacco is the single most preventable cause of death (U.S. Surgeon General)
  • Group therapy (and other behavioral therapies) plus combined treatment (nicotine replacement and medication) significantly improves your chances of success to quit tobacco

‘Stop Smoking’ Group Therapy Details

New group therapy meetings, referred to as “Stop Smoking Group Therapy,” have been scheduled for February 2012 at my office in Corpus Christi, Tx. As the name implies, these group meetings will focus on tobacco/nicotine dependence and cessation. This is an evidence-based treatment that was adapted from The Wildford Hall Tobacco Cessation Program Provider’s Manual (unpublished treatment manual) and guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services book, “Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: Clinical Practice Guidelines 2008 Update.”

The group meets 1 time per week for 10 weeks (total of 10 sessions). Participants can select from 1 of 3 meetings times (all start February 2012). A list of available dates/times and detailed description of group meetings is here. Participants commit to one of the days/times that works best for them, and cannot attend other days/times. This is because effective group therapy relies on the continuity and cohesion of group members, which is difficult to achieve if the group members change each week. Insurance is not needed (or accepted) as the weekly cost is similar to a typical insurance co-pay ($30.00 per meeting).

“Stop Smoking Group Therapy” is a structured group therapy. It is appropriate for those dependent on all forms of tobacco, including cigarettes, chew, stuff, etc. Participants receive extensive handouts for home study as well as homework at each group meeting. Research suggests that treatment methods offered in this group therapy can double your chances of quitting successfully!

How To Participate?

A list of available dates/times is here. Please contact us as soon as possible if you plan to attend as group sizes are limited. I look forward to meeting everyone, and I am excited to join you in a tobacco-free lifestyle.

Group Therapy Outline (Summary)

Session 1
Introduction
Why Quit?
The Tobacco Triangle
Review Nicotine Replacement Medications

Session 2
Behavioral Modification
Use of Prescription Medications in the Quit Attempt
Preparing to Quit

Session 3
Quit Date
Nicotine Replacement Therapy

Session 4
Overcoming Urges and Cravings
Tobacco Use and Stress

Session 5
Relaxation Training
Relapse Prevention

Session 6
Exercise and Nutrition
Relapse Prevention

Session 7
Stress Management and Healthy Thinking
Relapse Prevention

Session 8
Stress Management and Healthy Thinking
Relapse Prevention

Session 9
Assertive Communication
Relapse Prevention

Session 10
Wrap Up
Relapse Prevention

References
Fiore, M. et al. (2008). Treating tobacco use and dependence: 2008 update (Clinical Practice Guidelines). AHRQ Publication No. 08-0050. US Department of Health and Human Services.
US DHHS (2004). The health consequences of smoking: A report of the Surgeon General. Washington, DC.
Walton, et al. (1994). The Oxford medical companion. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
World Health Organization (WHO) (2008). The WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2008: the MPOWER package.