The Three-A Tips How to Stop Smoke

How to effectively overcome tobacco addiction

It has long been known what risks smoking entails, but the proportion of smokers in Germany is still relatively high. The desire for a smoke stop is therefore one of the most common resolutions at the turn of the year. But quitting smoking is difficult for many. Outpatient and inpatient smoking cessation therapies can help here. Currently, a study is being prepared at the University Hospital Freiburg to investigate which form of weaning works better. However, the experts already have some tips on how to finally overcome tobacco addiction.

Although the health-damaging effect of smoking is undisputed, but the permanent abandonment of the cigarette for many smokers remains a difficult process, which usually requires several attempts, according to the University of Freiburg. The experts report extremely high relapse rates in the attempts to quit smoking without professional support. However, considering some basic tips can be quite helpful.

High risk of relapse

"Without professional help, the risk of recurrence of heavy smokers is 97 percent," warns the oncologist Dr. med. Jens Leifert, who heads together with the psychologist Cornelia Schulz the prevention team at the Tumor Center Freiburg - CCCF of the University Hospital Freiburg. The successful way out of tobacco addiction consists of several stages. First, sufferers should be fully informed, both about the consequences of smoking and about different methods of weaning, advises the expert.

Nicotine replacement relieves the desire

The acute craving for nicotine and withdrawal symptoms can be Leifert by a nicotine replacement, for example in the form of patches, chewing gum or drugs. For a permanent smoke stop but changes in behavior are essential. Behavioral therapy courses under professional guidance would have been very effective here. At Freiburg University Hospital, outpatient smoking cessation courses have been offered for many years, which usually consist of one to two-hour group therapy per week and run for a period of six to eight weeks.

Stationary smoking cessation

Also possible is inpatient smoking cessation in the hospital, which is only nine days long. This allows for more complex therapy modules and more intensive care than for outpatient therapy. Whether a nine-day inpatient treatment or six weeks outpatient weaning are more effective at weaning, will be examined at the University Hospital Freiburg in a comparative study, which launches this month. Regardless, however, the experts have some tips that can basically help with smoking cessation.

The three-A-tips

"First of all, sufferers should know that craving attacks in the time after smoking cessation are completely normal and should not be construed as weak will," Dr. Leifert. His advice: Actively deal with the situation! Furthermore, the three-A tips apply: postponing, distracting and avoiding.

Postponing and distracting

The postponement makes sense, because the desire is often very strong only in a short phase. "For example, breathe in and out ten times. Trust in the fact that the desire is weaker and then no longer felt, "the experts said. The distraction is about deliberately replacing smoking with other smaller activities. You should think about these in advance. For example, take a little walk, call friends or do something, according to the University Hospital Freiburg. Activities that are fun and incompatible with smoking are best suited.

Dodge difficult situations

When dodging or skimming it is important to avoid the situations that could be too difficult, especially in the first few days and weeks. This could be, for example, the break with those colleagues who light a cigarette after eating. "Later, when you feel safer overall, you will master these situations," the experts emphasize. However, looking for professional help is advisable, despite the three-A tips, so that smoking cessation succeeds permanently.

Inpatient or outpatient - what's better?

The extent to which inpatient or outpatient treatment is better suited here will be examined in the course of the study, which has now started at the University Hospital Freiburg. "In a previous study, we saw that in-patient smoking cessation can be very successful," Dr. Leifert. In the new comparative study, both outpatient and inpatient smoking cessation therapy will be carried out on the basis of current guidelines and the latest scientific findings.

A large part of the usual therapy costs will be covered in the study and the participants will only have to pay a small amount of their own. The investigation is carried out on adults who smoke at least ten cigarettes a day and are excluded from participation in persons with an increased alcohol or other drug use, pregnant women and persons with mental or other serious medical illnesses. (Fp)