Survey – Nicotine dependence- Cigarette Replace
Approximately 15.4 percent of adults, or 154,000 individuals, use tobacco in Hawaii, according to a 2008 survey by the state Health Department. The greatest percentage of smokers are ages 25 to 34, according to the survey, with the 18-to-24 group not far behind. Of the adults who smoke, more than half tried to quit in the past year.
Most do want to quit but are easily discouraged, according to Beth Davidann, director of the Wellness & Lifestyle Medicine Center at Castle Medical Center, which offers individual counseling, treatment and group classes.
The Wellness Center takes a holistic approach to nicotine dependency, which has physical, psychological and social components. While every quit attempt is different, the center offers a number of tools, and its goal is to empower individuals to free themselves from the smoking habit.
The withdrawal period, and side effects ranging from insomnia to dry mouth and increased coughing, is tough to deal with, she said.
“We don’t spend time harping on the dangers of smoking,” said Davidann, “but we also don’t sugar-coat the harm you may have done to your body.”
Participants in the tobacco cessation program are encouraged to share their experiences as inspiration to others. While many people cite children or other family members as their motivation, Davidann said smokers have to make the decision to quit for themselves.
The main message: “There’s lots of help available and there’s no shame in asking.”Darius Lewis, a saxophone player from Kapolei, quit smoking after 37 years, primarily for health reasons.
“I’m getting older,” said Lewis, 54, “and I’m thinking, I’ve got to quit smoking. I had more wind playing when I was young, and as I was getting older, the wind’s been disappearing. You don’t have as much energy. Since I quit smoking, I got it all back.”
With the help of patches and counseling, Lewis quit smoking within a month, which is rare. Typically, quitting takes an average of seven to eight attempts, according to Duarte, though it depends on the individual.
If smokers can make it to six months without a cigarette, chances of relapsing decrease, according to Davidann. Even so, some people can relapse even after being smoke-free for several years.
“I think a lot of people get discouraged by trying and not succeeding,” said Talisayan. “Studies have shown the more you try quitting, the more successful you’ll be. So it’s important to not give up and keep trying.”
Lewis has been smoke-free for three years and says his sense of taste and smell has returned.
“When you feel better, you play better and live better,” said Lewis. “My life is so much better without those cigarettes.”
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