Nicotine is one of the most powerfully addictive drugs
known and ending nicotine dependence can be every bit as difficult as ending any other drug dependency.
The good news is that it can be done! Becoming an ex-tobacco user is a process and we at the Student
Health Center are here to help you in this process.
Most people try to stop on their own but only 5 out
of 100 of these people are successful in their attempt to quit. Research shows that those getting
help in a formal program achieve the best success. Increase your success rate by making an appointment
in the “Be Tobacco Free” program at the Student Health Center. It doesn’t matter
why you started smoking, how much you use or what year in college you are…we can help! Call
882-7481 to schedule an appointment in the program.
Also stop by Health Promotion to pick up a free “Quit
Kit”. There are some helpful tools in the kit to help you get a jump-start on quitting.
Individual Consultation and Counseling
- A health educator provides an in-depth assessment of your situation and helps
you in developing an individual treatment plan. We also provide carbon monoxide (CO) testing
that provides a baseline level of CO and shows the improvement after smoking cessation. Carbon
Monoxide (car exhaust fumes) is a colorless odorless gas that lowers the ability of your blood
to carry oxygen. These levels are elevated in persons who smoke and those exposed to second-hand
smoke.
- Your first session will involve taking a history of your smoking habit and
smoking cessation efforts. We also gather your baseline CO levels. We may send you home with
some “homework” on your first day to have you take a look at reasons you smoke as
well as the habits you have developed around smoking.
- Your second session might involve setting a quit date. We will help you develop
a plan that brings you up to your quit date. We discuss what strategies will help ease the transition
as well as what to expect on your stop date.
- Eventually we work through what happens after your quit date, healthy lifestyle
issues, relapse prevention and what to do if a relapse occurs. Individual sessions are unlimited
and covered by your pre-paid health fee so take advantage of this great service!
Relapse Prevention
- Another benefit of the “Be Tobacco Free” program is that we provide
regular follow-up for up to one year after you quit. This is to help offer advice and encouragement
at high-risk relapse times. We contact you in the form that is most convenient for you (phone,
email, letter) so we can help you succeed in your endeavor.
Prescription/Non-Prescription Therapies
- Our health education staff works with the health care providers at the Student
Health Center to assess appropriate medications for your needs such as nicotine replacement
therapy and Zyban® to help you stop and ease the symptoms of withdrawal. Your health care
provider visits are covered under your pre-paid health fee.
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