Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

going to walk outside', or Tm going to go to the bathroom', or Tm going to chew on a bar straw."’ Get support. Seek support from family, friends and coworkers, especially someone who has successfully quit smoking. It can be beneficial during tough times. Celebrate success. Reward yourself for small victories. ‘‘lt reinforces your desire to quit,” Blatt says. Consider medications. Controlled doses of the addictive chemical nicotine can prevent withdrawal symptoms while you kick the habit. Nicotine replacement patches, gums and lozenges are available over-the-counter, while inhalers and nasal sprays require a prescription. Talk to your doctor and see if these or other medications might be right for you. One medication to consider is Bupropion (ZybanX a prescription antidepressant that cuts nicotine cravings. Begin taking the drug one week before your quit date. Another medication is Varenicline Tartrate (Chantix), a new drug that reduces the physical pleasure from smoking and mitigates withdrawal symptoms. The drug maker offers a compli mentary’ counseling program and free medi cation for smokers with limited incomes. Call (877) 242-6849 to learn more. Pick up the phone. Telephone help-lines called “quitlines” offer free phone counseling and information on local resources. Call (8CX)) 227-2345 to speak with an American Cancer Society specialist who can help you plan to quit, offer relapse prevention or help you find a local support group. Quitline counselors also use mental imagery to help smokers imagine their trigger-situation, and picture themselves handling the situation without a cigarette, says Dawn Wiarrek, Quitline director. To find out if your scare operates a quitline, call the North American Quitline Consor tium at (800) 784-8669. Keep trying. Make up your mind to join the 46.5 million Americans who have quit smoking for good, and stay determined. “Smoking cessation is a very difficult pro cess," says Dr. Norman J. Edelman, chief medical officer at the American Lung Asso ciation. “Most people have to try several times before they quit.” Amy Eskind is a writer in Nashville, Term. lvww.americanprofile.com • * | •V. wk % I % • * • • • 4 * * BREATHING BETTER MAY • * LEAD TT) A SECOND DANCE Jgf \f j | People with COPO breathe better with SPIRIVA. r ' T L'W'r ] Page 9 • l ... V,™ ' • 'TK • i, ehiDnfA \£ t • * . , . , ,11 ,v & - ‘ £ 11 i o-ffCnintii* . . , ■■ ’