Tobacco smoking is one of the most significant public health issues in America today. No other single substance does such enormous damage to the health of our citizens, causing hundreds of thousands of deaths and disabilities each year.

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Smoker's Treatment Center

Tobacco has been a part of our culture since ancient times. For Native Americans, tobacco was sacred and a central part of ritual and medical practices. In the 19th century, cigarette manufacturing flourished and taxes from tobacco became a huge revenue source for the government. In the 20th century, tobacco became central to American culture. Marketing efforts, combined with the addictive nature of the drug, bring many people to a point of needing outside help to break the cycle of tobacco addiction.

Tobacco addiction fits all the diagnostic criteria for addictive disease. Recognizing the tremendous harm caused by tobacco addiction, Stewart-Marchman Center, Inc., the area's oldest and most comprehensive provider of substance abuse services, has begun offering the Tobacco Cessation Program developed by the Tobacco School in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and the University of Florida.

The Tobacco Cessation curriculum provides a group-based, integrated approach to tobacco addiction and recovery. An individual recovery plan is designed for each person to help them develop a new set of living tools that will allow them to be tobacco-free. The recovery plan is then put into action. This Daily Action Plan is the core treatment tool on the journey to tobacco freedom. The participant sets an individual quit date and receives individual and group support for as long as needed. Most individuals are able to set their quit date within 4 - 6 weeks. Some persons receive pharmaceutical support, such as zyban or a nicotine patch, when indicated. With the support of trained counselors and others in the group, most people can break the tobacco addiction cycle. Support groups are available for each individual as long as needed.

The Tobacco Cessation Curriculum utilizes only personnel certified as Tobacco Cessation Counselors by the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC). Stewart-Marchman Center is proud of being selected to have the first 20 counselors certified by the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors. Many counselors bring their personal recovery experience from tobacco addiction to help those struggling to break free.

Stewart-Marchman Center is currently offering the Tobacco Cessation Programs to its clients in residential and outpatient programs. The program will soon be expanded to employees of the Center wishing to become tobacco free.

For more information, please contact Toni Barrett, Sr. Vice-President of Programs at (386) 947-1483 or tbarrett@stewartmarchman.org.