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A Doctor’s Word--Tips to Escape the Smoking Trap
New America Media, Commentary, Erin Marcus, M.D., Posted: Oct 20, 2009
Editor's Note: In the debut of A Doctor's Word, Dr. Erin Marcus wrote about an African-American man's effort to quit smoking cigarettes. This week, she offers practical advice for all who would like to kick the habit. Dr. Marcus is associate professor of clinical medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
In my first column, I shared the story of Lawrence Jones, a 55-year-old man who smoked for 35 years until July, when he decided to quit. In his words, he was “sick and tired of being sick and tired.” Giving up the addictive habit of tobacco is extremely difficult, and Jones’ success depended on the help of a counselor, smoking cessation classes, nicotine replacement patches, and the support of a friend. Here are some things that helped Jones, as well as tips I’ve garnered over the years as a primary care physician.
To succeed at quitting, you first have to decide that this is something you really want to do. Medicine and classes won’t work unless you have made a commitment. In Jones’ case, a graphic video that his counselor played at his first stop smoking class made him resolve to quit. It showed pictures of smokers that he could not forget: a man missing an eye and part of his nose from mouth cancer, and people breathing through tracheotomies – holes that doctors surgically cut in their throats when cancer prevented them from breathing. “You have to be willing to give it your all,” Jones said. “But the pros outweigh the cons.”
If you can, join a stop smoking group. This can be difficult to do, as often these are held during working hours. But if you can find one at a time convenient for you, these groups can be very helpful in providing support and strategies and keeping you focused on your goal. Jones attended seven hour-long classes and describes them as crucial to his success. Call your local county health department or hospital and ask if they offer or know of a local smoking cessation program. The American Lung Association is a national organization that can direct you to smoking cessation classes in your region: 1-800- lung USA, or www.ffsonline.org
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