Smoking is a form of drug dependence. This is because nicotine, like other drugs, produces both physical and psychological dependence.
Our mission as health professionals is to advise patients on the various risk factors that affect their health, even when these are not directly related to the reason for the consultation. Therefore, recommending a patient to stop smoking should not be seen as an intrusion into his or her life, but quite the opposite. Omitting to give advice about the risks to their health is a serious negligence.
At the Clínica Galiana’s Smoking Cessation Unit, a personalized smoking cessation therapy has been designed. In addition, it is established as a commitment that the treatment is not more costly to the patient than his own addiction.
How is the personalized smoking cessation treatment carried out?
As a first step, a preliminary study of the patient’s medical history related to tobacco consumption is carried out. Next, complementary studies are carried out to establish the most appropriate treatment and questionnaires are also used to establish the patient’s degree of motivation and dependence. Once all the necessary examinations have been completed, a personalized pharmacological treatment is established, which consists of establishing a nicotine replacement therapy, the use of tricyclic antidepressants or a combined therapy. This treatment cannot be prolonged for more than three months.
At Clínica Galiana we place special emphasis on the motivation of our patients when it comes to quitting smoking. For this reason, at the same time as the patient receives pharmacological treatment, he is also evaluated by a psychologist, so that he feels supported in his attempt to overcome his addiction. The main function of the healthcare personnel is, in addition to treating all the complications derived from smoking, to ensure the effectiveness of the therapy, since it is essential to remind the patient not to smoke and also to take the medication.
The direct relationship between smoking and social relationships is a serious difficulty for those who want to quit. Therefore, it is important to remind the patient that it is not worth going back, since relapses are common. Only those who have not smoked for more than one year can be considered “ex-smokers”. It has been determined that 7 out of 10 ex-smokers never go back to smoking.
Smoking is first and foremost a consumption, although secondarily it ends up being an addiction. As a consumption, it carries with it a large number of repercussions that go beyond the health field. This makes it necessary for health professionals to contribute their knowledge to raise public awareness of the seriousness of smoking, carrying out social work.