FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska -- The Tobacco Cessation Program, offered at Medical Department Activity -- Alaska's Arctic Health Link, is designed to increase success for beneficiaries trying to break an addiction to tobacco. The program offers not only tools and motivation but also medications to assist with quitting and accountability.
Beth Hughes, a registered nurse and the nurse educator for Public Health Nursing for MEDDAC-AK, is a former tobacco user herself and is the front line for participants in the program.
"Initially I do a one-on-one appointment with the participants to discuss their history of smoking, what they've tried before, and together we create a quit plan for them," said Hughes. "The plan will include tools and tips on how to deal with stress, determine triggers and learn about foods and beverages which increase tobacco cravings."
For many that quit plan will also include medications to aide in the quitting process.
According to the American Cancer Society, studies have shown that medication and support used together can double a person's chance of successfully stopping the use of tobacco. A three-tiered system of medication is offered through the program, starting with nicotine replacement therapy such as patches, then Zyban and lastly Chantix.
Beneficiaries can receive these over-the-counter and prescription medications for no cost, two weeks at a time.
"Nicotine stays in the system for 96 to 100 hours," said Hughes. "During that time the person quitting is going to begin going through withdrawals. The medications prescribed assist in helping participants get through the withdrawal process with less discomfort."
Part of the cessation program process requires participants to meet with a member of the smoking cessation team every four weeks in order to continue to receive the medication.
In addition to the four-week medication check, contact is also made either by the phone or email every two weeks or more often if necessary for the participant.
While medication is a large part of the quitting process for many successful participants, Hughes said finding a partner to quit with also increases the chances of success.
"I work with a lot of spouses that quit together as well as members of a unit who take the plunge at the same time," said Hughes.
One graduate of the Fort Wainwright tobacco cessation program, a 30-year tobacco user, has now been tobacco free for five years. He attributes a great deal of his initial and long-term success to the tobacco cessation program at Fort Wainwright.
Maurice Fischer, an Army retiree, woke up one day sick of his addiction to chewing tobacco and found he had an extra incentive to quit.
"My children starting smoking and that really bothered me," said Fischer. "It's not cool, it's not attractive, and it's not cheap."
He saw information on the cessation program and decided to give it a try. According to Fischer, the medicine provided through the program got him over the physical hump of quitting but not the psychological hump. For the psychological hump he thought about being a good role model for his children and relied on the follow-up appointments.
"Arctic Health Link staff members making me come in, or call in really helped a lot," he said.
"The quicker you do it, the quicker you'll be done," said Fischer. "You aren't benefitting from it."
To schedule an appointment or for more information on the Tobacco Cessation Program, call Arctic Health Link at 907-361-4148 or stop by their offices at the Preventive Medicine, Bldg. 4077, across from Bassett ACH.
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