However, when a tobacco user adds professional counseling to their quit plan, they are significantly more likely to quit for good.  These are just a few of the benefits of working with a trained tobacco cessation coach.

1.  Learn what will help—and what won’t!

People use tobacco for different reasons, at different times, and in different ways.  They also have different experiences with quitting and starting again.  A counselor can help you discover patterns to your smoking or dipping and suggest quitting methods and healthy alternatives based on your personal relationship with tobacco.  A counselor can help you avoid wasting time on methods that may not be helpful.

2.  Get educated about quitting.

A counselor can give you current, science-based information about a number of topics related to tobacco use, such as health risks, stress management, secondhand smoke, nicotine withdrawal, and more.  Use the information you get from your counselor to design your quit plan and keep you motivated.

3.  Get advice on medication.

In addition to a personal quit plan, many tobacco users benefit from using FDA-approved medication to help them be successful in their quit attempt.

A counselor can answer questions about these medicines and help you decide which ones may be helpful for you based on your lifestyle, preference, and previous experiences with quitting.

4.  Find support and encouragement.

Everyone trying to quit tobacco should have at least one person who can encourage them when things get tough and celebrate their successes.  Many tobacco users have friends or family members who seem supportive, but when the rubber hits the road, they are not so helpful.  They hinder their loved one’s progress by nagging, enabling, or having unrealistic expectations about the process.  For these people, a tobacco cessation counselor is their main source of consistent, constructive, and compassionate support throughout their quitting journey.

If you or someone you know is interested in quitting tobacco, you can get FREE counseling by enrolling with the Quit Tobacco Program at HealthNet. To learn more, call 317-957-2007 or click here.

This post was originally posted a year ago, but we thought it was deifnitely worth a re-post!

More than four in five smokers say they want to quit.  Research shows that you are twice as likely to succeed if you join a tobacco cessation program that includes ongoing support.  That’s particularly important for those living near the poverty line.

Like many, Delorus Alderman of Indianapolis started smoking at 18.  Before long, she was a two-pack-a-day smoker.

“Quit now or die”

… was the sobering message from her doctor after she was diagnosed with heart disease.  Delorus began the difficult journey to quitting.

She had help from Stacey Chappell, the smoking cessation counselor at HealthNet Southeast Health & Dental Center.  Stacey gave Delorus many practical tips that she used to prepare herself and her family.  She also received free nicotine replacement therapy patches.

Delorus asked for support from her family and her on-line “IndyMoms” group – all of which rallied around her to help her get through the tough early months.

As Delorus celebrates her second year without cigarettes, challenges remain.  Still, she finds all the reason in the world to remain a non-smoker when she thinks back to that remarkably memorable day when one of her children gave her a big hug and said how glad she was that mom didn’t smell bad anymore.

• Thinking about quitting?  When you’re ready, we’re here to help with ways to quit smoking or chewing tobacco, and resources to support you every step of the way.
• Ready to quit?  HealthNet offers FREE one-on-one tobacco cessation counseling. You’ll learn how to beat cravings and overcome weight gain. Make an appointment at the health center nearest you.
• Help someone in need quit. A small donation to HealthNet’s Health Promotions Program will enable an underserved person to have access to free tobacco cessation counseling.