Become A Non-Smoker (BNS)

What Nicotine Does

Smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco and smokeless tobacco are all harmful.

 Reaches the central nervous system in 8 seconds; with chewing tobacco
   it takes 3-5 minutes
 Increases blood pressure, heart and breathing rates; and shrinks arteries
 Triples the chance of dying of cancer
 More than 80% of cancer deaths are related to cigarettes. Smokers are
   6 times more likely to contract cancer of the mouth, larynx, throat, and
   esophagus
 Leading cause of lung cancer; contributes to cancer of the bladder,
   kidney and pancreas
 40% of heart disease of people under 65 is linked to smoking
   (compared to 21% for general population)
 Increases carbon monoxide and reduces oxygen in the blood supply,
   impairs vision, promotes plaque in arteries

What Quitting Does

 Drops risk of heart disease significantly after 1 year
 Drops risk to equal nonsmokers’ risks of heart disease
   and cancer of the bladder, lungs, larynx and mouth after several years
 Improves bronchitis, emphysema and ability to breathe
 Improves ability to taste, smell, sleep, exercise, walk
 Improves energy, teeth, breath, congestion, circulation, clothes
 Extends life expectancy

Can I really quit smoking?

Are you wondering whether you will ever be able to quit smoking? You may have been smoking cigarettes, cigars or pipes, or you may have been chewing tobacco for many years.

You may have even tried a variety of methods to quit such as

 gum
 nasal spray
 patch
 hypnosis
 medicines and vitamins
 lollipops
 group programs
 personal efforts

Since nicotine is addictive, quitting has been harder than you thought. However, you do not have to be a prisoner of your habit. You can gain control of your smoking and you can become a non-smoker. You need the support and guidance of a trained behavioral health psychologist in your determination to become a non-smoker.

What about chewing tobacco?

Although chewing tobacco does not involve some of the health risks that are caused by smoking, there are many health risks related to chewing tobacco. Our programs are designed to help you stop chewing tobacco.

How can you help me quit smoking?

Each person smokes for a different reason and gets different “benefits” from smoking. We assess each individual’s past smoking and other health related history and provide an analysis of the patient's current smoking behavior and what purpose the behavior serves.

You will learn the effects of smoking on the body and mind and the side effects of quitting (withdrawal). As you plan to quit, you will learn skills to manage the urge to smoke and the withdrawal symptoms, including physiological, behavioral, and psychological effects. Also, you will learn to manage social aspects of quitting, such as in relationships and work places. Once a non-smoker, you will learn the skills to cope with life’s many challenges and opportunities in non-smoking ways in order to reduce the risk of relapse.

How does it work?

At the Center for Educational and Personal Development (CEPD Psychological Services) we use behavioral psychophysiological feedback software systems in order to teach physiological self-regulation and relaxation skills that can help with withdrawal symptoms and replace smoking when patients are looking for a "high," trying to relax, or feeling a smoking urge. Additional behavioral health techniques used in smoking cessation include mental focusing, imagery, hypnosis and behavioral rehearsal.

In addition to behavioral health training, we provide training on coping with stress, anxiety, depression, boredom and other everyday emotions through the use of cognitive techniques. These approaches teach the patient to manage and change attitudes and thought patterns to those that enhance coping and satisfaction.

What about my weight?

In addition to our regular weight programs, we provide a behavioral lifestyle weight management program designed for the new non-smoker who has weight concerns. The program includes an eating analysis, exercise and healthy lifestyles with consideration to the role smoking used to have in your life. Behavioral approaches and learning to manage stress and depression are included.

Quit smoking first; then we will help you manage your weight.

What about my other problems that make me smoke?

Some patients find that they need help in other areas of their lives, areas that other smoking cessation programs miss, such as

 stress related to job, family, relationships, money
 coping with depression, anxiety and other emotional challenges
 coping with other medical complications such as cardiac problems,
   high blood pressure, weight problems, asthma, other breathing problems,
   diabetes, headache, chronic pain, and other medical problems
 handling boredom and routine opportunities to smoke and eat
 other mental health and relationship concerns