This week, Bobbi Conner talks with Dr. Stephanie Stansell about strategies to help quit smoking. Dr. Stansell is a Senior Tobacco Treatment Specialist at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center.
TRANSCRIPT:
Conner: I'm Bobbi Conner for South Carolina Public Radio with Health Focus here at the radio studio for the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. According to the American Cancer Society, studies have found that nicotine addiction can be just as strong as addiction to substances like cocaine and alcohol. And, about two out of every three people who smoke say they want to quit. Doctor Stephanie Stansell is here to talk about smoking cessation. Doctor Stansell is the Senior Tobacco Treatment Specialist at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center. Doctor Stansell, what seem to be the biggest challenges for individuals who want to quit smoking?
Dr. Stansell: It would be not coming up with an effective plan to quit smoking. A lot of times people will think, I'm just going to quit. And, they don't use any medications that are approved, and any behavioral counseling. And they find that that's where a lot of those challenges come in.
Conner: So, the winging-it approach is not as effective as having a real plan.
Dr. Stansell: That is correct. It is not as effective. Our research shows that the best success rates for quitting smoking are paired with an FDA approved medication and behavioral counseling from a trained professional.
Conner: And what are some of the components of this addiction? Or in other words, why is it so hard for the person to break this habit?
Dr. Stansell: When a person starts smoking, they actually develop what are called nicotine receptor sites in their brain. And then the brain craves that nicotine. So, you have the actual physical dependance on the nicotine. And then you also have the habits and rituals that are associated with the cigarette. So, if you have an individual that has been smoking for 20, 30, 40 years, it's not just the dependance on the nicotine they have to address. But, they also have to address that behavior that goes with it, typically after a meal, maybe if they're bored, if they're driving, you have to have a plan in place as to how you're going to deal with those urges when they come up.
Conner: You work with people all the time on smoking cessation. Can you tell us the main points of a solid quit-smoking plan?
Dr. Stansell: Telling those around you that you have made the decision to quit smoking so they can support that decision. Working with your doctor to coordinate any kind of medications, if that is the route that you're opting to take. Also, working with a therapist or a counselor that specializes in tobacco cessation that can help you work through any of the different behavior changes that you might need going through this process.
Conner: Tell us about the tobacco quit line, which is also a good resource for people who want to quit.
Dr. Stansell: The South Carolina Tobacco Quitline is the best resource we have for South Carolinians. They call the number, it's a toll free number. And then what it does is it will filter those users down to South Carolina, where you're asked a series of questions. And, you may qualify for free nicotine patches, gum and lozenges to help you quit smoking. You're also offered behavioral counseling. It does it through the phone or via text messages. It is an excellent resource that we have here in South Carolina. If you Google South Carolina Tobacco Quitline, you'll have all of that information right at your fingertips.
Conner: Is there anything new on the horizon, especially in the way a medication that might be helpful for people who want to quit?
Dr. Stansell: We actually have a medication that is on the horizon. It is with the FDA right now, so we don't have FDA approval. We're hoping maybe by the end of the year. It is a new medication here in our country. It has been used in Europe for about 20 years and has proven to be very successful at helping people quit smoking. So just look towards that towards the end of the year.
Conner: Doctor Stansell, thanks for talking with us about quitting smoking.
Dr. Stansell: Thank you very much.
Conner: From the radio studio for the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, I'm Bobbi Conner for South Carolina Public Radio.
Health Focus transcripts are intended to accurately represent the original audio version of the program; however, some discrepancies or inaccuracies may exist. The audio format serves as the official record of Health Focus programming.
