Quit Support
Specialist ServiceIf you have tried to quit before and have found it difficult, this service may be your best option. You can give up with the support of a Specialist Stop Smoking advisor, either on your own or with other smokers in a group, which can really help you to stay motivated. There are clinics set up around Camden that you can attend. Support is provided for 5-7 weeks and longer support can be provided to people if required.
Community Support
If you prefer to get support on your own, we have over 200 trained community stop smoking advisors in Camden (such as Pharmacists, Nurses and GPs). These advisors are located across Camden so there should be one near your home or work and they can meet you at convenient times, including evenings and weekends.These advisors will see you over five weekly sessions.
Weekly Support Sessions
Preparation: This is the key to kicking the habit for good! We spend the first sessions helping you to get ready for your quit date.
Quit Date: The second session in the individual program and third session in the group program is the quit date when you actually stop smoking.
Staying Stopped: The remaining sessions provide you with on-going support and monitoring to help you stay stopped.
QUIT TOOLS
Giving up with other smokers
Giving up with other smokers in a group can really help you to stay motivated. Information about your nearest group can be found in the Smokefree Camden section (create link?)
Individual Support
If you prefer to get individual support we have over 200 trained community stop smoking advisors in Camden (such as Pharmacists, Nurses and GPs). These advisors are located across Camden so there should be one near your home or work and they can meet you at convenient times, including evenings and weekends.
Whichever route you decide to take to quit, the advisors will see you over five weekly sessions.
Weekly Support Sessions
Preparation
This is the key to kicking the habit for good! We spend the first sessions helping you to get ready for your quit date.
Quit Date
The second session in the individual program and third session in the group program is the quit date when you actually stop smoking.
Staying Stopped
The remaining sessions provide you with on-going support and monitoring to help you stay stopped.
Non-English Speaking Smokers
Many of our advisors speak community languages and we can arrange translators for people whose first language is not English.
Carbon Monoxide Readings
Each week, part of the service is to take your carbon monoxide reading. This measures the amount of carbon monoxide in your body, which is the toxic gas in a cigarette. When you quit smoking you will be able to see how your carbon monoxide level falls!
Withdrawal Symptoms
When you quit, your body experiences withdrawal from nicotine. Symptoms include cravings, irritability, headaches, and sleep disturbance. It is important that you use a medication to help you to cope with this.
Medications to help you quit.
All of the Nicotine Replacement Products (NRT) are as effective as each other. The main thing for you to decide is which is most appropriate for you to make sure that you feel happy using it so that get the most benefit in your quit attempt.
Patches
This is one of the most popular NRT medications. Nicotine patches release nicotine into the bloodstream through your skin. The 16 hour patch works well for most smokers but the 24 hour patch is useful if you usually get up in the night for a cigarette or smoke quite heavily, but can disturb your sleep.
Gum
This is chewed like normal gum until the nicotine is released. You then ‘park’ the gum in the side of your mouth. The nicotine is then absorbed through the lining of the mouth
Inhalator
Much like a plastic cigarette, the inhalator releases nicotine vapour which gets absorbed through your mouth and throat. If you miss the hand to mouth action of smoking this may suit you – although some do say it reminds them of something they are trying to stop and so don’t like it! The choice is yours!
Microtabs
These small tablets contain nicotine and dissolve when you put them under your tongue.
Lozenges
These are very much like a sweet that you just suck slowly and work in a similar way to microtabs.
Nasal Spray
This is the quickest way to get your fix of nicotine. You spray the solution up your nose and the nicotine is quickly absorbed through the internal lining. The nasal spray is especially useful for heavy smokers (over 20 cigarettes a day) as it gives fast relief.
The next two medications do not contain any nicotine.
Zyban (bupropion hydrochloride)
To help cope with your cravings, this course of treatment lasts for 8 weeks and you quit in the second week. Zyban is different to NRT as you don’t get any nicotine but changes the way that your body reacts to nicotine. The tablets are prescribed by your GP and by signing up to support with one of our trained advisors you will be receive a letter to give to your GP which will make getting these tablets easier.
Champix (varenicline tartrate)
Champix works by reducing your craving for a cigarette and by reducing the effects you feel if you do have a cigarette after you have quit. This course of treatment lasts for 12 weeks and you quit in the second week. The tablets are prescribed by your GP and by signing up to support with one of our trained advisors you will receive a letter to give to your GP to help make this process easier.
For more information on these medications follow this link http://gosmokefree.nhs.uk/what-suits-me/patches-gum-and-more