Thursday, April 14, 2016
Register now for unique educational/support groupWilliam Norman, 61 of Warren is sick and tired of being sick and tired.
Recently, climbing a flight of stairs and cleaning his apartment has become a major ordeal for the Beaumont pulmonary rehabilitation patient.
“I can’t even play golf anymore, which I love to do,” said the one-and-a-half-pack a day smoker.
On April 25, Norman will join nine other fellow classmates in Beaumont Hospital, Grosse Pointe’s first smoking cessation program. Lead by a respiratory therapist, the 90-minute, four-week, five-session program, takes place in the lower level of the Beaumont Medical Center, located at 25631 Little Mack in St. Clair Shores.
Cost is $50 per person and free to cardiac and pulmonary patients and Beaumont employees.
“Most people are more successful with a support system,” explained Melissa Charbonneau, director of Respiratory Care, Beaumont Hospital, Grosse Pointe. “It can be very empowering to realize you are not the only one going through something.”
A smaller group size was determined to encourage maximum engagement, Charbonneau said.
Participants will be challenged to stop smoking the second week.
“We only want people who are truly serious about quitting to enroll, “Charbonneau said.
Norman said he was extremely pleased to find a support group style format with members he could meet with in person to share struggles, tips and encouragement, Norman said.
“A lot of smoking cessation programs are web-based now,” Norman said. “I don’t think that would be as helpful to me.”
Designed to be both educational and supportive, participants will discuss the physical and psychological risks associated with tobacco use, explore reasons to quit, learn strategies for sticking to a quit date, as well as problem-solving, stress reduction and tools for tackling temptation, such as drinking more water, exercising and planning how and where to spend free time.
Carbon monoxide levels will be monitored to help celebrate improvement.
Each participant will also receive a “pack wrap” or journal to chronicle struggles and progress.
After completing the program, staff check on participant progress at various regular, intervals; all are welcome to return to future sessions, cost-free, for extra encouragement if needed.
“We want people to be successful,” Charbonneau said. “Smoking is the No. 1, single most preventable cause of death.”
Sessions in St. Clair Shores take place 5 - 6:30 p.m.:
- April 25 - May 16
- Sept. 12 - Oct. 3
- Oct. 10 - 31
Sessions in Troy, will take place 5 - 6:30 p.m. at 44201 Dequindre:
- April 4 - May 16
- July 11 - Aug. 22
- Oct. 3 - Nov. 14
Sessions in Royal Oak take place 2:30-4 p.m. at 4949 Coolidge:
- May 4 - June 15
- Aug. 3 - Sept. 14
- Oct. 5 - Nov. 16
And 5:30 - 7 p.m. at 4949 Coolidge
- Oct. 5 - Nov. 16
“I’ve been smoking for 40 years and my addiction is getting worse instead of better,” Norman said. “I’ve even tried to buy just one pack a day in the morning, with the hope I won’t want to go out to get another one at night. So far that isn’t working.”
For more information or to register for classes, call 800-633-7377 or visit classes.beaumont.org and search Let's Be Smoke Free Together!