Harry's History of quitting and relapse

Like many smokers I began smoking as an adolescent (15) thinking it was "cool."  I "borrowed" two cigarettes at a time from my mothers pack, and would put them in my shirt pocket before leaving the house in the A.M. for High School.  I would sometimes stop after school at a local pool hall when not working a part-time job.  This was a haven for "cool young guys" all of which (at least it seemed) were cigarette smokers.

        I experienced no discomfort (physical or psychological) from smoking in these early years, and my smoking especially increased as a college student.  I can remember many late nights during final exams smoking "one after another."  These were the days when cigarette smoking was still the norm and smokers could even smoke in some classrooms.  When I took a job as a psychiatric nurses aide, and worked on an alcohol detoxification unit, the patients and medical staff smoked freely in the lounge areas where patients would "hang out" and play pinochle after the first rigors of withdrawal subsided.

        The first negative experience I had associated smoking occurred as a college student when I was enrolled in a class to become a lifeguard.  It was a "serious class" and one of the criteria for becoming certified in Pennsylvania at the time was a lengthy swim.  Although, I was a good swimmer and easily passed everything else I was unable to do the lengthy swim within the time requirement.  I would simply poop out!  At that age I could have quit for a few weeks and worked-out, but "oh well...I'll do it next summer," was my attitude.  Next summer never came.

        As time went on I continued to smoke heavily and after an accident in which I fractured my nose, which effected my nasal passages I began to smoke a pipe.  Then a few years later, I added cigars to the repertoire.  Of course, I thought smoking a pipe was de riguer for being a graduate student.

        For some inexplicable reason (less direct inhalation via the mouth?) I could tolerate pipes and cigars better than cigarettes.  Surgery to correct a deviated septum from the accident "helped," and it helped regarding mucus drainage into my throat.

        As life continued into my late 20's and early 30's other negative consequences of my smoking occurred. It seemed I experienced more frequent sore throats and upper respiratory problems than is typical and     psychologically there was an increasing negative impact.  Specifically, I viewed myself as hypocritical in that I worked in the addiction field, yet the longest I achieved was nine months, despite numerous attempts at quitting.  Numerous times I quit late in the evening, ceremoniously balling up the pack and throwing it into the garbage. The next morning -"are there any that can be salvaged!"

        Then at the age of 35 I contracted two severe throat infections in the space of three months.  In response to the second I thought perhaps my immune system is the culprit, i.e., I avoided the self-confrontation about the tobacco use.

     Simultaneously with the above a particular emotionally painful experience occurred involving the break-up with a girlfriend.  Also, a dear elderly aunt was recovering from heart surgery and I stayed with her to provide help and support.  

        In 1983 via some personal therapy (that was broader in focus) and my learnings in the addiction treatment field coupled with a nascent interest in running, I was able to quit. 

WebCam Counseling/Educational Approach to Smoking Cessation

• The web counseling approach is on average a 6-10 session model. 
• Sessions are 45 minutes to one hour, are interactive and usually scheduled twice a week. 
• If the client is not ready to quit, the early sessions will focus on enhancing the "contemplative stage." -see reference http://www.habitdoc.com/Stages_of_Change.htm

• Gestalt therapy concepts (http://www.g-gej.org/4-3/theoryoverview.html) are utilized as a main approach, and therefore the uniqueness of the individual is paramount.  A key is the deepening of self-awarenesses of life roles e.g., the conflict with parenthood of smoking.  Other therapy approaches such as the cognitive behavioral may be integrated into the overall experience

• The first session will focus on history taking of the client and the therapist will also share more of his history.  This session will then end with a mutually agreed upon cessation plan(come up with better label.)

The counseling and education will provide the following:

• develop a cessation plan that is "custom tailored" to the individual
• Incorporate basic principles of learning theory, direct guidance, and emotional support.

                          -learning theory -(A) utilization of positive reinforcement paradigms; (B) learning that is challenging and stimulating -you will actually want to do it!

                          -direct guidance -timely advice and traditional homework assignments.

                          -emotional support -utilization of family, friends and successful non-smokers.

How Harry achieved abstinence...

The specifics of the web counseling approach