Freedom From Smoking Helps People Quit in Cyberspace
KIMBERLY CARTER just celebrated one year of being totally smoke-free
thanks to the American Lung Association's Freedom From Smoking
Online, a comprehensive behavior- modification course that teaches
people how to quit, all in the comfort of their own homes. In
the last year, more than 1,000 Californians have participated
in the online program.
Carter, who spends all day on the computer at the construction company
where she works, actually completed the program at work during her
breaks and at lunch, instead of going outside to smoke. Last January,
she had decided it was time to quit and found the program while
searching the Internet for information about quitting smoking.
"I wanted to quit for health reasons," says the 40--year-old
mother of two. "My doctor kept telling me I should quit.
I was smoking a pack a day."
She also felt like she no longer fit in as a smoker. "There's
almost nowhere you can smoke anymore," she says. Carter, who lives
in San Dimas, started smoking 22 years ago when she was in boot
camp for the Navy.
"It sounds dumb, but people who smoked got to go outside,"
she says. "I wanted to go outside, so I started smoking.
Then, of course, I got hooked."
When she found the Freedom From Smoking Online program on the
American Lung Association's web site, she decided to try it out.
Online Program Uses Proven Techniques
"It's a very comprehensive program, yet easy to use," Carter
says. "It's so convenient to do it online. You go at your
own pace, and I could do it when I was ready to do it."
Participants join the program at no cost through the American
Lung Association's web site. They first fill out some information
about themselves such as how long they have been smoking and how
much they smoke. They choose a username and password that can
be used each time they return to the program.
The online program was adapted from the American Lung Association's
seven-week Freedom From Smoking quit-smoking course. It uses the
same proven techniques of helping smokers understand why they
smoke and when so they can modify their behavior and quit for
good.
The online program contains a workbook with seven modules. Each
one provides a lesson and usually an assignment to be completed
before moving on to the next module. The assignments reinforce
the lessons learned.
"The workbook can be printed out each step of the way,"
says Carter. "Some days I would print it out, and then work
on it later at home."
Participants are Encouraged to Find a ‘Buddy’
In the first module, participants are introduced to the facilitator
and are encouraged to take part in the message board, where they
can communicate with others who are also trying to quit through
the program. The message board offers a "buddy system"
where participants can find support from others and share their
experiences.
"The support is important because quitting smoking is a
very hard thing to do," Carter says.
Judy Knox Peck Bernette couldn't agree more. She completed the
in-person Freedom From Smoking class in 1994 and still sees the
two "buddies" she met during the class. The three women,
who call themselves the "awesome threesome," still get together
every month.
"The first year or two their support was critical," Bernette
says. "If I was having a hard time or felt like I needed
a cigarette, I'd call one of them instead."
Site Provides Wealth of Information
The Freedom From Smoking Online site provides the list of modules
where participants click on to move to the next level, as well
as other information to help them succeed. There are tips for
staying smoke-free, such as coping with urges, controlling weight
and feeling good about yourself. There are also links to other
sites that provide support for ex-smokers.
"There was so much information," Carter says. "It not
only helps you change your habits and break the addiction, but
it gives you suggestions for what to do to replace it. The program
is so thorough. It was a good experience."
To log on to the program, visit www.californialung.org
and find the "click to quit" icon:
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