Quit Smoking

Oregon Quit Line: 1-800-QUIT-NOW (English)
                                 1-877-2NO-FUME (Spanish)

                                 1-877-777-6534 (TTY)

 

 

Are You Ready to Quit?

Determine Your "Action Stage"

Stage Thoughts and Feelings Actions
Not to Serious Yet
  • I know there is a problem, and I know there is a solution, but I don't care to do much yet.
  • I get demoralized easily considering stopping smoking or chewing.
  • I have not had any big problems related to smoking or chewing, and I don't know anyone who has.
  • I just don't think smoking or chewing is really a big deal. (denial ain't just a river in Egypt)

 

  • Look around, there are lots of people with smoking and chewing related disease, lung disease, cancer, and death.
  • Consider why you smoke, how does it help you, is it worth it?
  • Still don't care? That's fine, when you do get concerned, talk to your healthcare provider or the Oregon Quit Line at 1-877-277-7867.
Really Thinking About it
  • I know there is a problem with smoking, and I am thinking about how to solve it
  • I am looking for solutions to my smoking.
  • I'm not sure yet about a commitment to stopping smoking.
  • I am afraid I will fail.
  • I remember a lot of times that I failed, never started a quite date, etc.
  • I've been thinking about this for a long time.
  • Talk with your healthcare provider.
  • Talk to the counselors at the Oregon Quit Line, its free: 1-877-270-7867, they can help.
  • Talk to your family.
  • Today is the first day of the rest of your life.
Getting Ready to Quit
  • I am planning to quit in the next few months.
  • I've let my family, co-workers, friends, or spouse know that I am going to quit smoking.
  • I am committed to quitting, but I'm not quite ready to do it yet.
  • I am trying to imagine my life without smoking
  • I need a plan to quit smoking
  • Talk to your healthcare provider.
  • Make it public, tell people you are going to quit.
  • Start making a plan.
  • Imagine realistically what life will be like without smoking, consider some coping strategies.
  • Call the Oregon Quit Line counselors, take some further steps: 1-877-270-7867, they can help, a lot.
I Am Quitting
  • I am quitting.
  • I am committed
  • I have a plan.
  • I have support.
  • I am prepared for the difficult days.
  • Everyone knows I am quitting.
  • I am preparing for life without smoking for the long haul
  • Talk to your healthcare provider and the Oregon Quit Line 1-877-270-7867.
  • Commit.
  • Make a plan.
  • Develop support (spouse, family, healthcare provider, Quit Line, work)
  • Make it public.
  • Use medications to help out if you like.
  • Plan for the future.
I Am A Long Term Quitter
  • I struggle at times to avoid relapse.
  • It took me 6 months to really feel like I had quit for good.
  • I didn't realize how much work it would take to keep up my abstinence from smoking, but I am doing it.
  • I am committed to this process no matter what, for the long term, for my whole life.
  • Foster long term support.
  • Realize this is a long term issue to deal with.
  • Celebrate.
  • There will be times when it is harder than others.
  • Work at it one day at a time.
  • If relapse occurs, just start again, call the Quit Line, make a new plan, 1-877-270-7867. But, better yet, have a relapse plan figured out before it happens.

 

 

   

The Oregon Tobacco Quit Line

    Call 1-877-270-7867   It's a free call and service!

 

What do they do? A 20 minute phone conversation with a qualified Masters degree level counselor who specializes in smoking cessation.
Who should call?
  • Tobacco users in all stages of readiness
  • Teen tobacco users
  • Pregnant tobacco users
  • Smokeless tobacco users
  • Former smokers who want a relapse prevention plan
  • Friends and relatives of smokers
  • Non-English speaking tobacco users (they can handle many languages)
What happens when you call?
  • Determine your readiness to quit.
  • Develop a customized plan with you to enable you to quit.
  • Work on motivation and problem solving solutions important to you.
  • Give you information about nicotine replacement therapy and use of bupropion (Wellbutrin® and Zyban®) to help stop smoking.
  • Information and referral regarding tobacco cessation services you may qualify for or be available to you in your situation.
  • Set up and send you a tobacco quit kit tailored to your needs.

 

 

Symptoms of Nicotine Withdrawal

Anxiety 87%
Irritability, Frustration 87%
Decreased Heart Rate 80%
Difficulty Concentrating 73%
Increased Appetite, Weight Gain 73%
Restlessness 71%
Tobacco Cravings 62%
Depression
          When you've had no prior history of depression the rate is around: 31%
          When you've had a prior history of depression the rate of depression is around: 75%

 

How Physically Addicted Are You to Tobacco?

The Fagerstrom Scale Score
1. How soon after you awake do you smoke your first cigarette? 0- After 30 minutes
1- Within 30 minutes
2. Do you find it difficult to refrain from smoking in places where it is forbidden, such as the library, theater, or doctor's office? 0- No
1- Yes
3. Which of all the cigarettes you smoke in a day do you find the most satisfying? 0- Any other than the first of the morning.
1- The first one in the morning.
4. How many cigarettes a day do you smoke? 0- 1 to 15
1- 16-25
2- More than 25
5. Do you smoke more during the morning than during the rest of the day? 0- No
1- Yes
6. Do you smoke when you are so ill you are in bed most of the day? 0- No
1- Yes
7. Does the brand you smoke have a low, medium, or high nicotine content? 0- Low
1- Medium
2- High
8. How often do you inhale the smoke from your cigarette? 0- Never
1- Sometimes
2- Always
Add up your Total Score
The more physically dependent you are the more likely you will need nicotine replacement therapy to prevent significant withdrawal symptoms.
A score of 7 or above strongly suggests physical dependence on nicotine.
In general, if your answer to the first question is that you smoke your first cigarette within 30 minutes of awakening in the morning, you probably have physical dependence on nicotine. You could assume this to be true, also, if you have to get up and smoke cigarettes at night routinely.

 

Medications for Nicotine Withdrawal/Smoking Cessation
Drugs Proven to Help
First Line Drugs
   Nicotine Replacement
  • Gum
  • Patches
  • Nasal Spray
  • Inhaler
  • Lozenges

 

 Varenicline (Chantix)- this brand new drug is now available. It blocks the nicotine receptor in the brain and takes away the pleasure associated with smoking.  My first few patients have shown great success. Come in and talk about it if you are interested in giving it a try. Quit rates of 50-70% over 3 months.
  Bupropion HCl (sustained release preparations)
  • Generic Bupropion SR
  • Wellbutrin SR®,  Wellbutrin XL®, and Zyban®
Second Line Drugs
  Nortriptiline (an antidepressant)
  Clonidine (an older blood pressure medicine with effects on craving)
Other Drugs
Antidepressant Drugs- to treat associated development of /or recurrence of depression.
Near Future New Drugs
 
  Rimonabant- a cannabinoid receptor antagonist. May be able to double quit rates and prevent weight gain associated with stopping smoking. Will likely be available in the next 1-2 years.

[botom.htm]