Good morning everyone! I am still here. Sorry I have not posted for a couple of days but I have not been feeling well. I am back in the saddle and still working on not smoking. I hate to say this but it seems to just keep getting harder and harder. I thought it would get easier but it doesn't seem to be. Oh well, I am going to keep plugging along. I am spending Thanksgiving with my family so I will have alot of support there. I will keep everyone updated and have a great day.

Trying to quit, but not having luck? Check out these methods!

Enhanced Quit Methods

NICOTINE REPLACEMENT THERAPIES (NRTs)

Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRTs) wean you off the high doses of smoking by the nicotine without the tar, gases and other harmful elements of smoking.  This helps you by allowing you concentrate on breaking the habit of smoking, while reducing withdrawal symptoms.  NRTs are supposed to be especially helpful to those who smoke their first cigarette within 30 minutes of waking.

Some NRTs are available by prescription. Others can be purchased over the counter at pharmacies and other retail outlets.

The patch gives you a continual supply of nicotine at a low dose while you are wearing it - so you can't respond quickly to a craving or a stressful moment. The gum and the spray deliver a higher dose quickly so you can respond to a craving with a "quick fix", as with cigarettes. If you smoke steadily through the day, the patch may suit you better. If you smoke mainly in response to cravings or stress, the gum or spray might be more flexible for you. They are all similarly effective.

PRESCRIPTION THERAPIES (NRTs)

Other prescription therapies include Chantix and Zyban or Wellbutrin.  Zyban, first prescribed as the anti-depressant Wellbutrin, contains no nicotine. Wellbutrin is a norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor. Norepinephrine and dopamine are chemicals produced by your brain that help you “feel good”. Inhibitors stop your body from removing them from you system as quickly as it otherwise would.  Using Zyban seems to reduce the urge to smoke and nicotine withdrawal symptoms: irritability, frustration, or anger; anxiety; difficulty concentrating; restlessness; and depressed mood or negative affect.

Chantix binds to the nicotine receptors in your brain and blocks them so that nicotine can no longer activate those “feels good” receptors. This means that when someone is trying to quit and they lapse and smoke a cigarette, they probably won’t get much satisfaction from smoking it, and will be less likely to smoke another.  When Chantix binds to nicotine receptors, it also triggers some of the same effects that nicotine has. This includes a small release of dopamine, another “feel good” chemical in the brain. In this way Chantix dampens down nicotine withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES:

Hypnosis can be highly effective for smoking cessation.  Hypnosis is a naturally occurring state of our mind that happens thousands of times to each of us daily. Hypnosis, the hyper-ability of Focused Attention, works best for those who truly want to quit. Agreed suggestions are placed into your subconscious mind: for example, that you have no cravings for tobacco, no desire to eat more, no bad temper or irritability and no concern that you are missing out on anything, so will not feel deprived or in need of a substitute.

Acupuncture is a healing technique derived from ancient Chinese medicine. In simple words, acupuncture is a technique used to deal with certain health issues by gently stimulating hair-thin needles into specific points of the body to trigger a natural healing response. Acupuncture techniques are used to deal with nicotine withdrawal symptoms. As with hypnosis, acupuncture works best for those with a strong desire to quit.

Low-Level Laser Therapy principles are similar to the ancient healing art of acupuncture. Low-level lasers simulate a very similar response by emitting a fine-point "cold laser" into your skin which stimulates your body's endorphin production system. Endorphins are natural chemicals in your body that signal your internal system to decrease stress and increase energy. Consistent absorption of nicotine into your body through cigarette smoking soon allows nicotine to take over and control your body's endorphin reproduction system. By naturally restoring your body's endorphin levels through low-level laser therapy, laser intervention can then remove the hold that nicotine has on your system.

Talk to your regular health care provider about which method might best assist you.  And good luck on your commit to quit!

Well Good Morning

It is another day and I am still alive and not hurting anyone. I did sleep alot last night and guess what, I didn't think about smoking. Huh, do you think that was because I was sleeping? I only work until 10 this morning so my weekend will be quite a long one. I found that the sunflower seeds don't help me much so I have resorted to buying hard candy, it is sugar free and instead of reaching for a cigarette I am going to be reaching for candy. Sigh, changing one vice for another. I will deal with the candy vice after dealing with the smoking vice. Ok I am off to work for a couple more hours then I will go home and go to bed. Sleep, helps me. LOL! Oh by the way I started with the withdrawals last night, HEADACHE!!! I am sorry to say that it doesn't seem like much touches the headache except sleep. I just want it to go away and fast. You all have a great day and will keep you all posted.

Morning everybody,

It still is morning. Ok here is the scoop. I have not had a cigarette since 10:00 last night. I have been doing quite well actually til just about 10 minutes ago. I just need to make it through about 15 minutes and then hopefully the craving will go away. I have started to eat sunflower seeds and it seems to be helping somewhat. Maybe I need to get up and walk away from my desk. I did not go outside on my morning break, I sat at my desk and continued to work. Maybe I should take that break and get away from my desk and walk around the building, do something different. Any suggestions from anyone on what I should do there. Anyway I will be fine. See you all in a bit.

Quitting smoking

Good morning everyone!!! So the day has arrived. Good luck to all that have decided to quit also. Well so far so good but I am only about 2 hours into my day. I think I am going to have to change up my morning routine a little bit. I had to much time to think about wanting to have a cigarette. Once we got out the door on the move I was fine and now that I am at work I am doing ok also, so far. Well I will keep you posted as the day goes on. See you all later.

NEWS RELEASE: Quit Programs

Are you ready to QUIT?

The Great American Smokeout is just around the corner.  If you are ready to clear the smoke, there are many resources available to help you.

Most health plans offer some kind of assistance to Quitters, including online or phone line counseling and nicotine replacement therapy.  If you have one of the following health plans, call for more information about their programs:

Blue Cross Blue Shield of MN             1-888-662-BLUE

Health Partners                                   1-800-311-1052

Medica                                                1-866-AUIT-4-LIFE

UCARE Minnesota                               1-888-642-5566

If your health plan does not provide these tools, QUITPLAN does.  QUITPLAN provides free telephone-based counseling, personalized planning for your Quit, online support, and free nicotine replacement patches, gum or lozenges to any Minnesota whose health plan does not cover cessation services.  The QUITPLAN Helpline is 1-888-354-PLAN.

There are many web resources to assist Quitters.

·         Freedom From Smoking Online is a product of the American Lung Association for adults.  It takes you through modules and assignments to reinforce your commit to quit.  It assists you in preparing to quit according to your schedule. 

·         QUITNET offers assessment tools to assess your level of addiction and readiness to quit, assistance in arranging your own quit smoking plan, and a free Quitting Guide.

·         Way 2 Quit offers many resources on addiction, when to quit, quitting methods, and handling life after the quit.  Great tools include: 12 Tips to help eliminate stress and stressful living and How super stress-busters deal with stress.

·         Clean Break Online: The Thinking Person’s Stop Smoking Program includes six online learning lessons, interactive homework and feedback, telephone and e-mail counseling.  Clean Break teaches behavior modification techniques that assist quitters in making more effective decisions about their addictions. This online program is $149.00 (the cost of one months of smoking if you are a pack a day smoker!)

If you have tried other methods and are interested in intensive residential treatment, one is available in Minnesota.

·         The Mayo Clinic’s Nicotine Dependence Center provides an 8-day in-treatment program at a protected, tobacco-free setting. This program offers individual and group counseling, medications to relieve withdrawal, physician supervision, and long-term follow-up to prevent relapse. It is based on principles of addition therapy and behavior change, includes daily educations sessions on topics like stress management, as well as daily wellness activities and “off-unit” activities. For information on costs and insurance coverage call: 800-344-5984 (toll-free).

If you are interested in quitting the tobacco habit or think you might, join others in Aitkin County at the "Commit to Quit" program:  Thursday, November 18, at 6:00 PM at the Forty Club Convention Center in Aitkin.  Psychologist, Amy Zilka, will provide short presentation on stress reduction and behavior change during a light dinner.  Zilka, who uses individual and group hypnosis in her psychotherapy practice in the Twin Cities area, will provide group hypnosis at 7:00 PM.   Information packets on cessation tools and opportunities will be provided.

There is no cost for the seminar. To register, call Beth Swenson at Public Health at (218) 927-7272 or (800) 328-3744.

Oh boy my day is getting closer and I have cut down so it won't be so hard on me when I make the leap. I am ready how about the rest of you?

NEWS RELEASE: COMMIT to QUIT campaign challenges smokers to quit

COMMIT to QUIT campaign challenges smokers to quit

Hypnotherapist to speak at smoking cessation event

Thinking about quitting smoking? Learn about behavior change and reducing stress and find out what resources are available to assist you. Find out if hypnosis might help you. Participate in a group hypnosis session!

Aitkin County Health and Human Services, Riverwood Healthcare Center, the State Health Improvement Project (SHIP), American Lung Association, and Medica are jointly sponsoring a "Commit to Quit" program on Thursday, November 18, in celebration of the nationwide Great American Smokeout. A light dinner will be served during a presentation that begins at 6:00 p.m. at the Forty Club Convention Center in Aitkin. 

Registered “quitters” will receive packets of information about quit options and the opportunity for group hypnosis with psychologist, Amy Zilka, a psychologist.  Zilka uses individual and group hypnosis in her psychotherapy practice in the Twin Cities area. In addition, there will be a short presentation on stress reduction and behavior change.

Amy Zilka has a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology/Marriage Family Therapy and is a certified Regression Hypnotherapist. She is owner/operator of Hypnosis & Psychotherapy for Health Healing located in the Twin Cities. For more information, go to http://www.blogger.com/www.hypnoessence.com

There is no cost for the seminar, but registration is required. To register for the seminar, call Beth Swenson at Public Health at (218) 927-7272 or (800) 328-3744. You may also register for the seminar at several registration booths located about the county, including Riverwood clinics in Aitkin, Garrison and McGregor. If you can't attend the seminar, but are interested in the Commit to Quit, a smoking cessation information packet will be mailed to you.

Public Health is also blogging for the Great American Smokeout at http://acgreatamericansmokout.blogspot.com/.  Follow Public Health's own Jody Phillip in the "quitting" experience, add your own quit experience to the blog, give tips if you are a former smoker or offer your support.  Also check for posted resource information at http://www.blogger.com/www.co.aitkin.mn.us

Media contact: Arlene Wheaton, Riverwood, 218-927-5589, awheaton@sisunet.org