Stop Smoking Support Program
By Leah Martino, OMD, L.Ac. |
I administered the auricular treatment, sent the patient home and hoped for the best. There were times when this treatment worked. However, my results over time didn't equal my expectations. It wasn't until I learned that acupuncture only reduces nicotine cravings that I realized I didn't really understand the role of acupuncture and hadn't been coaching my patients properly.
Later I received an announcement from James S. Olms, M.D., regarding the discovery of a new point, Tim Mee and the resulting successes for patients trying to stop smoking.
Adding that point to my protocol showed promise. Over the years I continued to gather information about smoking. Through trial and error I gained further insight and developed a comprehensive stop-smoking program that gives effective and lasting results. There are numerous smoking-cessation point formulas. all of which can be quite effective. But there is no "magic bullet" treatment that can make the detox experience disappear. A successful acupuncture program requires proper case management which includes patient preparation, patient commitment, and education about what acupuncture will and will nor do.
There are five steps to the stop-smoking program I developed:
Support Person - The decision to stop smoking can elicit uncomfortable emotions. Ask someone who is available to you in the next few weeks to act as a sounding board and provide encouragement when needed.
Affirmation - An affirmation is a positive statement repeated often to create desired changes in your life. Repeating the affirmation helps not only to remind you why you are no longer smoking but imprints a new image of health so that the body can then produce health. Examples: "I am a non-smoker. I make healthy choices in my life."
Setting Boundaries - Set up contracts with other smokers to refrain from smoking in your presence. This includes spouses. When possible stay away from smokers until you feel more confident with your nonsmoking health status.
Drink water - Research shows that dryness causes cravings. Sip water frequently throughout the day.
Refrain from drinking coffee - Research shows that coffee causes cravings and dehydrates the body.
Food choices - Eat a lot of carrots. celery and other vegetables throughout the next few days. Candies upset blood sugar level, which can aggravate smoking-withdrawal symptoms. Sugar substitutes such as NutraSweet are sweeter than sugar and cause further sugar cravings.
Managing cravings - Cravings feel like it will last forever but actually fade in two minutes. Plan what you will do during a craving. Examples: Take your herbs; repeat your affirmation; breathe deeply; walk to another place; sing a song; dance; call your support person.
Any quality herbal products can be used. I use ITM Lily 14, similar to Ophiopogon Combination, for lung yin support. Although clients don't feel a direct effect from Lily 14, when I added it to my treatment, they reported a feeling of sustenance and "not running on empty. " I recommend a second bottle and many people continue taking it for months. Other formulas may be indicated if there is lung disease.
Ardisia 16 (ITM), similar to Bupleurum Dragon Bone, helps relieve irritability and anxiety associated with detox. I instruct the client to take it three times a day for two days, then on an as-needed basis. Many people use this formula to help them through stressful situations. I believe it helps minimize relapse.
Allertox Tobacco, by Futureplex is a homeopathic remedy which relieves tobacco cravings. I initially used a generic rescue remedy but find that this more specific formula is superior. I haven't used Chinese smelling herbs, but they would probably serve the same purpose.
There are a lot of triggers that can cause relapse. Cigarettes can act as a shield to insulate uncomfortable feelings and situations. A new nonsmoker can feel vulnerable and confused in trying to handle a stressful situation. Monthly treatments provide support and bring the person back into harmony. It is not our job to provide therapy. However, we can help the client clarify feelings. If a person "slips" and smokes, question what was really at issue, and how could the person handle it differently. Relapse is often part of the process.
It is important to change the negative, failure concept in assessing what happened and how the person can use the experience to prevent the situation from occurring again. Encourage people to call immediately if necessary to get back on track. People sometimes request to try quitting wit fewer sessions, or without herbs. I remember Iris Gold's words of wisdom in her practice building seminar, "This is the way I work." I tell people, "If you follow my program you will be successful." Compromise is rarely effective.
I built some of my practice around my smoking program. I find this work to be very rewarding and beneficial for future referrals. Smoking treatments are an effective way to increase credibility of our profession and to help mainstream acupuncture into modern health care.
707/795-1284
Acupuncture.com |