Smoking Cessation Program

Smoking cigarettes is a national health problem that leads to approximately 400,000 deaths per year. Additionally, cigarette smoking can complicate a variety of medical procedures. In fact, cigarette smokers tend to have poor surgical recovery times compared to nonsmokers. Prior to undergoing spinal fusion, patients are very strongly encouraged to quit smoking for leased six to eight weeks in order to preserve the likelihood of successful recovery. As you know, many people are able to quit smoking without assistance; however, there is a subset of cigarette smokers who have an incredibly difficult time quitting. This program is based upon a motivational interviewing approach which has been found to be quite effective in decreasing cigarette consumption. This program is offered to the general public as well as to orthopedic surgery and neurosurgical candidates.

The cigarette cessation program consists of six weekly sessions followed by to check in sessions. The program outline is as follows:

1.       Identifying motivation to quit smoking. Stages of change model presented. Patients will identify and address ambivalent thoughts about continuing smoking and quitting smoking. People will be provided with materials that they may use to log cigarette consumption.

2.      Smoking logs will be reviewed. Problems will be identified and addressed. Psychoeducation into the deleterious effects of cigarette smoking on general health conditions as well as on spinal fusion procedures. Patients also will perform a personal cost-benefit analysis into the financial, relational, physical, emotional, and other burdens caused by cigarette smoking.

3.      Smoking logs will be reviewed. Problems will be identified and addressed. Specific behavioral interventions including goalsetting, problem-solving, and behavioral disruption tactics will be taught. Emphasis will be placed on stimulus replacement, reinforcement, and punishment strategies.

4.      Smoking logs will be reviewed. Problems will be identified and addressed. Specific cognitive interventions such as identifying and disputing distorted thoughts that support smoking will be taught.

5.      Smoking logs will be reviewed. Problems will be identified and addressed. Relaxation techniques will be taught

6.      Smoking logs will be reviewed. Problems will be identified and addressed. The final session will serve as a motivational sendoff where treatment gains are reviewed. Relapse prevention plans will be solidified. Individuals that are still smoking have the option of beginning the program again. Individuals who have discontinued smoking will have the option of returning for booster sessions.

7.      Two weeks following completion of the program, people will meet for a booster session to review smoking logs, discuss slips, and encourage relapse prevention.

8.      People will be again one month following their two week booster session to track progress. After successfully maintaining abstinence over the course of the 12 week period, group members will participate in a celebratory graduation from the program. If an individual does slip following completion of the program, he or she may return at any time for support.

Physicians who refer patients to this program receive weekly updates on patient progress as well as a final report documenting treatment outcomes.