Reasons Why Smoking Cessation Counselling Works

As they say, “multiple hands get the job done faster”. Most certainly, someone constantly pushing you on is far more motivating and can be far more successful than doing it all on your own.

This principle is the core of any smoking cessation counselling session – to help you remain mindful, focused, and determined to stop smoking for good. And, GPs won’t just provide aid through communication but also with the right tools and techniques.

In today’s post, we’ll talk about why smoking cessation counselling is a highly effective option for any motivated smoker trying to quit smoking.

The Role of Counselling in Quitting Smoking

Most people view counselling as ‘talking to a friend’ who understands what you’re currently feeling. 

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To make things clear, counselling is talking to an expert who is well-equipped to listen, understand, make suggestions and recommendations, and prescribe suitable tools and therapies to help you on your smoking cessation journey.

A stop smoking GP is also knowledgeable about the phases of your quit cycle and how to face failed attempts with you and starting it all over again. 

They can provide relief for your severe withdrawal symptoms with guidance during nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and responsible nicotine vaping products (NVPs) from pharmacies.

Addiction Triggers Through Behavioral Therapy

Because you’re the most knowledgeable about your addiction triggers, you probably wonder why you need a stop-smoking cessation GP to help you identify and manage them.

The important part of smoking cessation is the ‘manage’ part – even if a motivated smoker knows they can identify their triggers, it’s unlikely they can manage it properly, particularly when the strongest cravings hit. With a GP’s help, you’re equipped with the right mindset and tools whenever you feel like lighting a ciggie.

A GP can recommend and prescribe various tools, therapies, tasks and techniques in alleviating your withdrawal symptoms. 

For instance, to avoid the temptation of lighting a stick when you’re bored, on your work break, or having a drink with smokers or in a smoking environment.

When you’re stressed, they can recommend being mindful of what you feel. They might ask you to write them on paper and ‘surf’ over these urges (such as give yourself five minutes to breathe in deeply and exhale while experiencing the urges and not lighting a cigarette).

Behavioural therapy plays a crucial role in addressing the psychological aspects of smoking addiction.

Cognitive-Behavioural Approaches 

The cognitive-behavioural approach to smoking cessation views smoking as a learned behaviour that can be unlearned by changing the thoughts and beliefs of a motivated smoker. 

Aside from helping motivated smokers learn their triggers and cope with their cravings, GPs can provide ways to break and prevent familiar patterns and ideas that could set back motivated smokers into smoking.

GPs can do this effectively with NRTs, which are tools that provide a small dose of nicotine to alleviate withdrawal symptoms. If these do not work, they might write prescriptions for pharmacy NVPs, especially if the smoker has very strong behavioural and/or social triggers (like having a smoke with their coffee).

By addressing the cognitive aspects of smoking, these approaches help individuals build resilience against relapse and develop healthier habits. 

Building Motivation for Quitting

The most important thing to remember about motivation is consistency in effort to create a motivating effect. When a smoker receives consistent motivation from various sources or from the results of their own efforts, their motivation continues to build until they eventually find success in quitting.

Here are a few ways GPs help motivated smokers in building motivation and keeping it consistent.

Effective Communication Strategies in Counselling

Fun fact: some people might view GPs to be like drill sergeants who use alarmist language in explaining the dangers of smoking. 

GPs will never use strong language or tones – instead, they appreciate your first step towards a healthier lifestyle and never question your history as a smoker. 

Effective communication with a sense of non-judgement and honesty is what you can expect from every GP you work with. Being well-equipped, empathetic, and understanding of their patients is the biggest difference between talking to them and confiding in a friend (who might over-empathize or judge you).

A GP will take the small steps with you as you begin your journey towards smoking cessation. They will also help you map out your journey towards success with the right goals suited to your needs.

How a GP Helps You Stop Smoking for Good

Here are a few ways a stop-smoking GP can help you quit smoking for good.

Teaching Stress Reduction Techniques in Counselling

Without cigarettes, your body will keep asking you to supply it with nicotine, which intensifies much further when you get bored, anxious, or stressed in general. A GP can teach you various ways to handle stress and the urge to smoke once again during your journey.

Some of these are the following:

• Meditation
• Mindfulness
• Journaling
• Exercise
• Mental Exercises (sometimes with helpful worksheets)

Guidance on Managing Nicotine Withdrawal

As mentioned, your GP can prescribe NRT or pharmacy NVPs for smoking cessation where necessary. Nicotine withdrawal occurs when the body keeps bugging you to light a stick for nicotine, something that NRT tools can supply in very small doses just to wean you off the severe withdrawals.

Pharmacy NVPs, which are made for smoking cessation and are greatly different from the ones sold in convenience stores and groceries, are only available through a prescription as a second-line treatment once NRT has failed. 

According to the Cochrane Review, there is high-certainty evidence that NVPs are more effective than NRT in helping people stop smoking.

Follow-Up and Ongoing Support 

Your GP is always there every step of the way. They will not judge you if you fail – instead, they will encourage you to continue on your journey and find a way to pick yourself up again.

During your smoking cessation journey, you’ll have regular sessions with your GP to touch base on how you’re doing, what you’re feeling throughout your smoking cessation journey, and assess your difficulties and goals.

You can be sure they’ll always be there until you’ve finally met your goal: to stop smoking for good.

Summary

Pairing a motivated smoker with a well-equipped professional with experience in guiding successful quitters is an effective formula that has been tried and tested. 

And if you’re ready to start your journey, we can help.

Smokefree Clinic gives you access to many medically reviewed and trustworthy resources that can inform and aid you in your path to wellness, so have a look around! 

If you’re ready to get started, Smokefree can connect you to friendly Australian healthcare professionals who excel in helping patients quit smoking for good.