THE GREAT AMERICAN SMOKE OUT
By Mickey Skidmore, ACSW, LCSW
Even though I haven't smoked cigarettes for nearly 20 years now, I should mention from the start that I do enjoy some tobacco products. For me, the cognac-dipped Al Capone sweet cigars are a delightful treat. Despite everything I know as a healthcare professional -- in the face of compeling evidence which points to undeniable adverse consequences -- like many, I choose to smoke.
The smoke cleared away years ago, and along with it any doubts that smoking tobacco seriously compromises the health of smokers, up to and including the risk of causing cancer. Allergies … Sinus problems … Asthma … Bronchitis … Emphysema … COPD … Lung cancer … are just a few of common ailments often associated with smoking. Smokers may also be refused for health care or other insurance policies because of the increased health risks.
The cost of smoking was my initial reason for putting down cigarettes. In the early 1980's (sorry I don't remember the exact year) I collected and kept every single (empty) pack of cigarettes I smoked for an entire year. On New Year's Day, while my friends were sleeping off their hangovers, I calculated how much it cost me to smoke cigarettes during the previous year. Based on seventy-five cents per pack, I had discovered I had spent over $500.00 that year -- literally "up in smoke." This was an eye-opening revelation to a poor, struggling college student. In fact, at the time, it was enough to pay for a two bedroom apartment (without a roommate) for two months! That was all the motivation I need to quit right then -- and I haven't had a cigarette since.
Of course there are other costs for smokers as well. Smoking in today's cultural climate is not as politically correct as it has been in the past. Increasingly, people find smoking and smokers very "uncool." Thus, smoking can negatively impact our work or social relationships, or even adversely strain our interaction with family and loved ones.
Many people who have chosen to smoke are beginning to realize these risks, and are in search of resources to assist them in their quest to become a non-smoker. Clinical hypnosis is a particular skill that has helped many succeed with smoking cessation, and also assists with associated weight gain which often accompanies such an effort. Furthermore, it becomes clear in a few sessions whether or not you'll respond to this approach or not. The short nature of such interventions makes this an affordable endeavor, even if your insurance company doesn't cover such treatment. (Over the years I have provided this service to a [statistically] small number of folks yielding success about 50% of the time).
"The Great American Smoke Out" (November 15th) is another effort to assist those contemplating the idea of putting the cigarettes down. A simple "one day at a time" concept designed to seed the idea that if you can go a single day without smoking, you can build on this accomplishment. Whether you stop for a day, a month, 3-4 months, you will have done your body a favor, because within 20 minutes of smoking that last cigarette, the body begins a series of healthful changes that (can) continue for years.
Smokers, please accept my apologies. It is not my intention to bash those who have made the choice to smoke. However, if you are one of the millions sitting on the fence, or are considering how you might transition yourself to the ranks of the non-smoking, please consider participating in "The Great American Smoke Out" this month.
Now that I have completed this task, I think I'll reward myself with an Al Capone … then again, on second thought -- maybe this month would be a good time to put them down.
Once you've tried everything else ...
Contact Mickey Skidmore, ACSW, LCSW at704.376.2141
to schedule a hypnosis consultation for smoking cessation and/or weight loss.
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