Visit a Psychiatrist for Smoking Cessation Treatment

While the process of quitting smoking is certainly not an easy one, many people have found success in using a variety of smoking cessation treatments that can be offered by a psychiatrist. According to the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, in 2015 about 68% of cigarette smokers reported wanting to stop smoking completely. While it might take some people multiple attempts to quit, it is possible to overcome nicotine addiction and live a healthier, tobacco-free life. Continue reading to learn what to expect for smoking cessation treatment.

Benefits of quitting smoking

There is much evidence about the risks of tobacco use, which is the motivation for many to make the decision to stop smoking. For one, smoking can reduce the lifespan of an individual by 10 years or more and is linked to many diseases including cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart disease.

In addition, smoking can affect one’s family, and children of smokers are also more likely to become smokers as well. Secondhand smoke can affect the health of children and other family members, causing conditions like asthma, sudden infant death syndrome and respiratory infections. Not to mention, smoking a pack a day can cost anywhere around $1,500 a year, upwards depending on the state.

Seeing a psychiatrist

While people are often not successful in trying to stop smoking without professional assistance, participating in smoking cessation treatment can help increase an individual’s chance at quitting completely. There are several ways a psychiatrist can help.

Using medicine

When dealing with withdrawal symptoms and seemingly uncontrollable cravings, medicine can make a huge difference in how successful an individual is at beating the addiction. One popular treatment option is nicotine replacement therapy, which requires the patient to cease smoking and use other medicines with nicotine, such as nicotine gum or patches, to gradually get off the drug. Patients can also be prescribed non-nicotine medications including Bupropion SR or Varenicline. Often, the combination of prescription medication with nicotine replacement therapy can increase success rates for quitting.

Attending counseling sessions

Florida Psychiatric Associates can provide options and make a referral to a licensed psychotherapist.  Receiving counseling can sometimes be a successful treatment type on its own; however, combining medication with counseling from a psychiatrist is often more effective than doing either type of treatment by itself. A mental health provider may use a variety of behavioral treatments to help with smoking cessation, including cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing and mindfulness. While some patients prefer individual counseling, others find success in a quit-smoking group such as Nicotine Anonymous. There are also programs available online and telephone counseling.

Conclusion

Making a psychiatrist appointment and taking part in smoking cessation treatment can help individuals who have made the decision to stop smoking. The process is rarely without struggles or failures, but the benefits of quitting are numerous. While it might take multiple attempts before an individual overcomes the addiction for good, the use of medication and counseling can help increase a person’s chance at success.

Request an appointment here: Call Florida Psychiatric Associates at (407) 960-5633 for an appointment in our Altamonte Springs office.

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