Resources available to help smokers quit Published Sept. 24, 2010 By Kimberly L. Wright Air University Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Mike Miller has been an ex since 7:38 p.m. May 1 -- the time of his last cigarette. The retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and Vietnam veteran started smoking as a junior in college in 1969. He smoked three packs a day, four in Vietnam. When it comes to quitting the habit, Mr. Miller thinks the second time may be the charm. "I haven't ever looked back," he said. He did it through one of several programs available to the Maxwell-Gunter community. They include the Health and Wellness Center's Behavioral Tobacco Cessation Group, the San Antonio Military Medical Center's Quit Line and the Mental Health Clinic's Individual Behavioral Tobacco Cessation. Individual Behavioral Tobacco Cessation is a one-on-one program that currently accepts active-duty members and spouses of deployed active-duty members, said Capt. Chad Morrow of the 42nd Air Base Wing Medical Support Group Mental Health Clinic. The course ranges from four to six sessions, depending on the needs of the individual. Treatment is behavioral in nature, and can include nicotine replacement therapy. For those looking for group therapy, the HAWC's Behavioral Tobacco Cessation Group may be the answer. Thirty people start the class, and of the 30, half will opt to do the class online, said health promotion manager Wanda Myrick. Of those who attend, two-thirds will complete the class. Active duty, retirees, dependents and civilian employees may participate. The first group class focuses on the pros and cons of medications, and then tobacco and nicotine-related hazards, which aren't overemphasized "because (smokers) already know smoking is bad for them," said Ms. Myrick. The Behavioral Tobacco Cessation Group classes focus on "behavior more than anything," said Ms. Myrick, for instance: Why do you smoke? Why haven't you quit, and if you tried to quit before, why didn't you succeed? They also discuss experiences that someone who is quitting smoking should anticipate and ways to cope, "things you can do instead of picking up a cigarette," she said. Mr. Miller attended four behavioral classes given by Ms. Myrick and took Chantix prescribed by his doctor to curb the withdrawal symptoms. He dreaded quitting because when he first tried to quit in the 80s, he experienced severe withdrawal symptoms, and the nicotine-replacement gum did little to nothing to curb them. "Withdrawal was so bad ... that was what I was dreading the second time," he said. He tried to quit the first time after he married because of concerns about secondhand smoke's affect. That lasted until he and his spouse separated. "I quit for the wrong reasons the first time. You need to quit for yourself, not someone else," he said. This time, he didn't have the withdrawal difficulties. "It was like drinking water, nothing to quit," he said. I was worried about the side effects, but it was wonderful." Smoking was a trait Mr. Miller shared with his father. He chose to quit in part to ward off the heart problems his father experienced. At 63, "I'm not getting any younger," he said. The endeavor was part of an overall lifestyle change, which included dieting and quitting drinking. He has lost 40 pounds. "I feel really good about that," he said. For those who want a more private quitting experience, the San Antonio Military Medical Center Quit Line is another alternative, made possible by a $3.6 million grant to study the utility of a quit line. More than 100 people at Maxwell have successfully quit through the help line. The quit line is open to active duty and reservists who are 18 years old or older and smoke five or more cigarettes per day. "Other than the quit line where you just call them, choose an option, and get the patch mailed to you, the rest work hand in hand with the primary care provider to deliver the behavioral treatment in conjunction with the medication," said Captain Morrow. To help wean smokers off nicotine, the Medical Group offers nicotine replacement therapy treatments such as Chantix, Zyban, or a transdermal patch. SAMMC offers the patch, and nicotine gum can be purchased from any pharmacy. To receive nicotine assistance, the person interested in cessation must enroll in behavioral classes as well. "This process is set up to ensure people get the most empirically supported treatment, which includes medication and psychological/behavioral supports," said Captain Morrow. Those who quit smoking face long odds. "Keep in mind, if you take 100 people, 80 will want to quit, 27 will try, and one to two will be successful at the one-year follow up," said Captain Morrow. Successful quit attempts are measured at six months, 12 months and five years, with most using the 12-month criteria to determine a successful quit attempt. However, the benefits of kicking the habit are many, including a longer lifespan and general better health.