Counseling can help in many ways. In fact, the more times or number of sessions a person spends in counseling for quitting tobacco, the more likely a tobacco user will become and stay tobacco free.
A counselor can review past experiences and help discover strengths and new strategies for success from prior attempts to quit. A counselor can encourage a person to elaborate on their reasons for stopping, which can help strengthen confidence to quit. Counselors can help develop a plan to recognize and manage dangerous situations that could lead to a lapse or relapse. Counseling can help tobacco users to understand why it is so hard to stop. They can help with the proper use of medications, and can refer a smoker to a healthcare provider to prescribe medication. Tobacco dependence impacts many areas in a person’s life; therefore working together with a trained professional can help to cope with what arises and take proper action to reach your goals.
Counseling with a tobacco treatment specialist (TTS) may be available in your area through your State Quit-line or through one of the local hospitals or clinics. If a TTS is not available, you can ask local mental health and substance abuse counselors if they can help to support your efforts to quit
When you decide to quit, use all the tools at your disposal, and don’t forget that counseling could be the key.
