Quit Information Seminar

Aims of session

To:• help you to understand why people smoke• provide information about quitting methods and

products• discuss strategies to assist quitting• provide information about resources and

support

Stages of the quitting process

Thinking about quitting: making the decision to quit• conflict

• I want to quit more than I want to smoke

• reasons for quitting

Three aspects of addiction and dependence• physical• habitual• emotional

What are your triggers?

Chemical addiction

• nicotine is the drug in tobacco that causes addiction

• some common symptoms of withdrawal (positively known as recovery symptoms)– headaches

– upset digestion

– changed sleeping patterns

– coughing

– irritability

Habitual connection

Smokers link behaviour with cigarettes

triggers:coffee craving cigarettealcohol craving cigarettephone craving cigarettefood craving cigarette

What are your triggers?

Emotional/psychological connectionSmokers link feelings with cigarettes

triggers: stress craving cigarettehappy craving cigarettesad craving cigaretteangry craving cigarette

What are your triggers?

Many smokers are influenced by each ofthe different aspects of smoking behaviour.

Planning to quit – cigarettes, medication and mental health

• chemicals in cigarettes change the way some medications work

• see your doctor if you are taking any medication• quitting can be stressful• if you have experienced depression, anxiety, or

other mental health conditions, consult your doctor before quitting

Planning to quit - quitting methods

• going cold turkey• cutting down• postponing

Planning to quit – quitting products• nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)/therapeutic

nicotine:

– nicotine patch, gum, lozenges (mini), inhaler and mouth spray

– for nicotine dependent smokers

– available over the counter

• medications

– bupropion (nicotine free pill; prescription drug)

– varenicline (Champix; nicotine free pill; prescription drug)

Subsidised products

• patches (a variety of strengths)

• Varenicline

• Buproprion• doctors will also ask the smoker to provide a

commitment to enter a comprehensive support and counselling program

Planning to quit – quitting products• helps relieve physical withdrawal symptoms

and cravings• can double your chance of quitting

successfully compared to a smoker who quits using nothing, if used correctly and for the right amount of time

• combined with counselling and ongoing support (such as the Fresh Start course or Quitline), it further increases your chance of quitting successfully

Some important information about NRT/therapeutic nicotine

• nicotine by itself has not been shown to cause cancer or heart disease

• nicotine replacement products do not contain the many dangerous chemicals found in tobacco smoke

• using nicotine replacement therapy/therapeutic nicotine to quit is always safer than continuing to smoke

Some important information about NRT/ therapeutic nicotineFor quitting products to be effective, a person needs:• to be nicotine dependent

1. smoke your first cigarette within 30 minutes of waking OR

2. smoke10 or more cigarettes a day OR

3. had cravings and/or withdrawal symptoms in previous quit attempts

• use the product as recommended• stick to the program for an appropriate length of

time

Some general information about NRT/ therapeutic nicotine

• combination therapy is another option: 16hr patch is combined with 2mg nicotine gum, 2 mg/1.5 mg lozenge or mouth spray

• combination therapy may benefit those who have relapsed while on one nicotine replacement type or if they are still experiencing withdrawal symptoms using a single type

Dealing with concerns about quitting• withdrawal symptoms

– 4Ds, NRT and prescription medications

• weight gain– healthy eating and exercise

• stress– relaxation exercises, stress management

• alcohol and social situations– planning ahead

• loss of a friend– normalise; there is light at the end of the tunnel

Quit plan

A quit plan includes:• quitting method• quit date or cutting down chart• strategies to replace smoking• reward system• support network

Relapse

• distinguish between slip up and relapse• slip up: a cigarette or two or a few puffs• relapse: a return to full time smoking• look at slip ups and relapse as a learning

opportunity – you have not failed• review reasons for quitting

Quit’s services and resources• Quitline 13 QUIT (13 7848) - fax referral sheets• telephone call-back service• Quit courses • Quit pack/multicultural resources• information sheets• self-help DVD• relaxation CD• websites:

– www.quit.org.au– www.quitcoach.org.au

Quitline

National Quitline number:• 13 QUIT (13 7848)• cost of a local call (approx. 30c; mobile phones

extra)

Hours of operation:• Telecentre - 24 hours• Quit counselling: 8am - 8pm, Monday to Friday

Link to Translating and Interpreter Service (TIS)and Aboriginal Advisors also available

Quitline - flow chart of service

Telephone callback service

• 2 calls during the preparation stage• up to 4 calls commencing around quit date• a practical service • assists smokers to plan and make a quit

attempt • helps smokers get through withdrawal and daily

cravings • helps smokers understand that quitting is a

process rather than a single event

Quit’s coursesQuit’s courses are for smokers who want to quit, cutdown and/or learn to manage their smoking duringsmokefree times and when desired.

Fresh Start• 8 sessions over 4 weeks

• sessions are between 1-1.5 hours

Short course• 2 sessions, 2-3 weeks apart• sessions are 3 hours• Quitline support between sessions

Fresh Start Course outline• Session 1 – Understanding smoking and quitting

• Session 2 – Planning to quit

• Session 3 – Health effects of smoking & quitting methods

• Session 4 – Coping without cigarettes physically

• Session 5 – Coping without cigarettes emotionally

• Session 6 – Staying stopped in the short term

• Session 7 – Staying stopped in the long term

• Session 8 – Enjoy being a non-smoker forever

Short Course outline

• Session 1 – Understanding your smoking and preparing to quit

• Quitline support

• Session 2 – Dealing with quitting challenges and staying quit

Summary• identify reasons to quit that are important to

you• make a firm decision• understand your own smoking behaviour• plan your quit attempt• learn from previous experiences and start

again• access resources and support

Questions?