Show the Smoking Get Human Educated About Side Quitting Quitting Dee Dee Lobato Prevention Specialist Drug Alcohol Education Can you remember smoking education education education edu edu- cation It probably happened in elementary elementary elementary ele ele- ele- ele school You had a guest speaker who carried in a huge jar of formaldehyde that contained a disgusting disgusting disgusting dis dis- dis- dis gusting black lung all that was left of some smoker That sickening image might have been enough for you never to press a cigarette to you lips For others it had no impact According According According Accord Accord- ing to the Centers for Disease Control Control Control Con Con- and Prevention one-half one of youths ages 12 to 21 have smoked at least a whole cigarette Another 10 percent have taken a few puffs It is estimated that at least 31 million adolescents are current smokers That means young people become regular smokers every day More shocking is the fact that 70 percent percent percent per per- cent of high school seniors in the US U.S. who smoked one to five cigarettes cigarettes cigarettes ciga ciga- a day were still smoking five years later Young people who have smoked as few as cigarettes report they would like to quit but cant can't and 70 percent regret the decision decision decision deci deci- sion to start Unfortunately getting involved with smoking is addictive There are three ways to be hooked Chemical addiction habit and psychological dependency A smoker can be hooked in any or all of these ways Some smokers have a dependency on cigarettes to manage stress some crave and are addicted to the nico nico- tine Some have formed a bond with cigarettes and a habit only smoking after they eat or when they drink or because it is a social thing to do with friends In any case once you are hooked it is difficult to quit National Nation Nation- al awareness campaigns like The Great American on November brings attention to the fact that there are successful ways to get the support needed to stop smoking A variety of health organizations organizations organizations have developed smoking cessation cessation cessation ces ces- support classes Heres Here's some helpful steps in preparing to stop smoking Prepare Your Mind to Stop ing Determine the reasons why you smoke Consider that you might me part of 17 million Americans who are dependent on nicotine Determine why you want to stop smoking The stronger your reasons the greater chance for success Prepare Your Body to Stop ing Go cold turkey Make a clean break rather than stopping gradually Increase your physical activity to release tensions relieve withdrawal symptoms and occupy your time in a positive way Prepare Your Environment to Support You Get rid of your cigarettes cigarettes cigarettes ciga ciga- and any reminders of smoking and avoid places that trigger your urge to smoke Make the Commitment to Stop Set a date to stop Select rewards for stopping Stopping can improve your health and enhance your self But these dont don't happen immediately One thing that is immediate is the money you'll save Use it to give yourself rewards every so often Another suggestion is to sign a contract contract contract con con- tract with yourself to prove that you really mean it when you say you want to stop Stay Stopped Ask your doctor for help If youre you're worried about quitting quitting quitting quit quit- ting talk to your doctor If youre you're nicotine-dependent nicotine your doctor can work with you on some forms of therapy Also if at first you dont don't su succeed stop again Most people stop a few times before they are able to stop smoking for good If that happens dont don't be discouraged Experience counts when you are trying trying trying try try- ing to stop smoking Remember the Great American is not far away If you would like more information contact The Alcohol and Drug Education Dept at or stop by our Peer Support Resource Table on Nov in the College Center near the Sunken Lounge |