Successfully Drop the Tobacco Habit with Free Aultman Program
CANTON, Ohio (Dec. 29, 2009) – If you’ve wanted a life without tobacco, Aultman Hospital has a free group counseling program to make that dream come true.
It’s reported that approximately 70 percent of smokers want to quit completely, and approximately 40 percent of smokers try to quit each year.
“Cold turkey is not the way to go. It works for about 7 percent of people,” said Aultman’s certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist Sara Schaub.
Research says smokers who use proven interventions, such as assistance from a health care provider and behavioral counseling, greatly increase their likelihood of quitting permanently.
“We can help make now your time,” said Schaub. “Of the 300-plus participants during 2009, we had a 75 percent success rate for those completing the program.”
Small group sessions are held for one hour, once a week for six weeks, covering everything from how to create a quitting “plan” to tips on staying tobacco-free.
Participants will:
- examine their tobacco-use history
- identify barriers keeping them from quitting
- create a quitting plan that includes a specific date to stop using
- learn to combat the obstacles associated with quitting – such as weight gain, stress, withdrawal and cravings
- be prepared to stay tobacco-free for good
- receive follow-up support such as phone communication at three and six months after program completion, and then be eligible to attend additional counseling if needed
“We evaluate everyone’s smoking patterns and teach individualized behavior modification techniques to minimize relapse and create lifestyle changes,” said Laura Bitonte, RN and treatment specialist. “Following this program guided by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we are excited to continue improving the health of our community.”
The Facts
It is estimated that 25 percent of Stark County smokes.
Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, accounting for approximately 443,000 deaths or 1 of every 5 deaths in the United States each year.
More deaths are caused each year by tobacco use than by all deaths from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle injuries, suicides, and murders combined.
On average, smokers die 13 to 14 years earlier than nonsmokers.
Annually, in the United States, cigarette smoking costs more than $193 billion ($97 billion in lost productivity and $96 billion in health care expenditures).
Commit Yourself
To register for the free program, call 330-363-QUIT (7848) or click here. Class are held at Aultman Hospital’s Cardiac Rehab department on the third floor of the Bedford building.
About Aultman
The Aultman Health Foundation is a not-for-profit health-care organization serving Stark and surrounding counties. The vertically integrated institution includes Aultman Hospital, the locally managed health-insurance provider AultCare, The Aultman Foundation and Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences. With 682 beds, 530 active physicians and a staff of more than 5,000 employees, Aultman is Stark County's largest hospital and employer. For more information, visit www.aultman.org.
Media Contact
Leslee Dennis, Corporate Commuications
330-363-5319, ldennis@aultman.com
