Smoking remains one of the leading causes of preventable diseases and death worldwide. Despite the well-known health risks, many smokers struggle to quit, often due to nicotine dependence and the psychological habit of smoking.

The medical team at Fifth Avenue Family Practice plays a crucial role in helping patients on their journey to quit smoking. Through assessment, education, counselling, and support, they guide patients through the challenging process of smoking cessation. Here’s how the nurses, doctors and HIP coach Rebecca can help in smoking cessation:

1. Assessing Smoking Habits and Nicotine Dependence

Before a patient can embark on their quit journey, the Fifth Ave medical team needs to assess their smoking habits and levels of nicotine dependence. This allows them to develop a personalised quit plan that addresses the patient’s unique needs and circumstances.

2. Providing Counselling and Support

Quitting smoking is not just a physical challenge, but a psychological one as well. We provide invaluable counselling and support by helping patients set a quit date, manage cravings, and overcome withdrawal symptoms.

3. Educating Clients on Risks and Benefits

One of the most important tasks towards quitting is educating clients about the risks of smoking and the many benefits of quitting. Patients often underestimate the long-term health consequences of smoking, such as heart disease, lung cancer, and chronic respiratory conditions.

4. Identifying and Coping with Triggers

Smoking is often linked to certain triggers, such as stress, social situations, or specific times of day. The team help patients identify these triggers and develop coping strategies to manage them.

5. Prescribing or Recommending Medications

For many individuals, nicotine withdrawal is one of the most challenging aspects of quitting smoking. We can prescribe or recommend evidence-based medications, such as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or prescription medications to help ease withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings.

6. Providing Ongoing Support

Smoking cessation is an ongoing process, and our nurses play a key role in monitoring clients’ progress. Regular follow-up appointments allow the nurses to assess how well clients are adhering to their quit plans and provide ongoing encouragement.

If you or someone you know is interested in quitting smoking, don’t hesitate to reach out. Call Fifth Avenue Family Practice today to schedule a funded appointment and begin the journey toward a smoke-free life.