Quitting cigarettes
Inpatient programs to help with smoking cessation. Why aren't they available?
That is a great question,
I'm not sure the answer to your question. Although, I think most efforts are aimed to help people quite smoking on an outpatient basis, perhaps to reduce cost. Today, most COPD doctors are fully equipped with the wisdom to help people who smoke quit. For more on this topic, perhaps you will find the following resources helpful: 1 (https://copd.net/living/quitting-tips) and 2 (https://copd.net/pulmonary-rehab/lifestyle/quitting-smoking). I hope you find this brief response helpful. Does this help? John. community moderator.
John, I have been trying since 2015. I've tried medications, patches, gum, lozenges, even hypnosis. I've read all kinds of tips and various methods. Some with short term success. If I am actively doing things or am spending time socializing with nonsmokers I am good and rarely even think of lighting up. I think an in patient program would give me the space and time to get past the physical and psychological addiction in a safe setting where I would people to talk to that are experiencing the same issues. If this had been an option back in 2015 I believe I would have been successful and my COPD would not have progressed as rapidly. Cigarettes have been proven to be addictive, yet insurances an existing substance abuse programs do not include us in their consideration.I completely understand your frustration and agree with you. An inpatient program focused on helping people quit smoking could indeed be incredibly beneficial, especially for those struggling with both the physical and psychological aspects of addiction. As a respiratory therapist who is deeply involved in smoking cessation efforts, I can see how such a program would offer the structured support and environment needed to overcome these challenges. If such a program were available in my area, I would be more than willing to participate and contribute to its success.
Your experience underscores the need for more comprehensive and accessible support options for those battling smoking addiction alongside COPD. I am curious, have you had a chance to talk to a counselor about quitting smoking? John. community moderator.
Yes John I have seen a counselor. Iwas given all the usual platitudes, substitute celery and carrot sticks etc. For the cigarettes, go for a walk when you have the urge...and so on. I did not find these suggestions to work for me. No group counseling was offered. They did provide me with patches, then gum, then lozenges. These also did not help me. I've tried welbutin, then Chantix twice. The first time, after reaching the full dosage I was unable to keep food down. Stopped the medication for several months then tried again. This time on a reduced dosage. It was helpful in reducing how much I smoked, but I was still unable to quit completely. I found that if I took the medication and combined it with physical activity or the company of non smokers, I did very well. But when I didn't have these outlets, I was still lighting up. That's when I started looking fo an inpatient program because I thought that would provide all the elements that worked for me plus there would probably be a regular counseling aspect to such a program. But sadly such a program does not exist. If you know of one please let me know. My only source of income is Social Security so that is also an issue. My idea is that if such a program were out there and the activity included kitchen duties and housekeeping duties it would significantly reduce the cost as well as add some of the needed distractive activity. There must be someone out there who is capable of pulling something like this together. And there should be government assistance available to existing substance abuse programs to be able to add this to their programs with minimal effort. The NEED is there but the DESIRE TO HELP is Not.
Thank you for the update. Another thing that might help you is the buddy system. If you have a friend or loved one who also smokes, it i can be helpful if you both quit together -- and that way you can offer one another support and encouragement. I do know some who have found this strategy helpful. I definitely hear you about support groups. The need is definitely there. If I learn of such a program, I will be sure to let you know. John. community moderator.
Thanks John
You are welcome. Wishing you all the best. John. community moderator
