Smoking Cessation
Don’t give up giving up.
Smoking remains the world’s major preventable cause of early death. Reductions in smoking behavior have a major positive impact on numerous health outcomes.
A wide range of diseases and conditions are caused by cigarette smoking, including cancers, respiratory diseases, coronary heart and other circulatory diseases, stomach and duodenal ulcers, erectile dysfunction and infertility, osteoporosis, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration and periodontitis (US Department of Health and Human Services 2004).
Following surgery, smoking contributes to lower survival rates, delayed wound healing and post-operative respiratory complications (US Department of Health and Human Services 2004). Women who smoke during pregnancy have a substantially higher risk of spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) than those who do not smoke. Smoking can also cause complications in pregnancy and labour, including ectopic pregnancy, bleeding during pregnancy, premature detachment of the placenta and premature rupture of the membranes (British Medical Association 2004).
The harmful effects from nicotine dependence are generally related to the harm caused by smoking cigarettes and therefore the primary goal should be smoking cessation.
The Five Stages of Change in Giving Up Smoking.
Giving up smoking doesn’t just happen. Individuals undergo a dynamic process when considering stopping, which Prochaska and DiClemente (1986) captured in their Stages of Change model. This model outlines the incremental process people go through as they change a particular behaviour.
Stages of Change (Prochaska & DiClimente)
Therapists/Psychologists often use this model to help facilitate change in their patients. Therapists/ psychologist must be skilled at responding to the evolving needs of the individual as they progress through the stages.
Nicotine replacement formulations, antidepressant medications and some special medications working at Nicotine receptors in brain are available. These medications have been investigated and proved to be effective. It is suggested that a gradual reduction in smoking is an optimal approach prior to smoking cessation. Each of the above medications have a role in stabilizing the chemical imbalance in the brain. These medications are recommended only for those who would like to quit smoking. Factors to consider when deciding which of the treatments to initiate include:
- Motivation to stop
- Availability of counselling
- Previous experience with smoking cessation aids
- Contraindications to use and the potential for adverse events
- Personal preference of smoker.
More recently in recognition of the fact that not all smokers are able or willing to stop smoking or abstain from nicotine completely, it is recommended that smokers use one or more licensed nicotine-containing products while still smoking to prevent relapse. These are also used to alleviate temporary withdrawal symptoms. Please ask our Consultant Psychiatrist for more details, availability of these medications in UAE and for any further information.
In the following section, we focus on counselling / psychological treatments for smoking cessation.
Motivational Interviewing is a technique frequently used in helping patients change addictive behaviour such as smoking. The psychologist maintains a non-confrontational stance, and elicits the patient’s own intrinsic resources to change. An effective approach is collaborative, evocative and respects individuals’ autonomy. Relapse is normalised and viewed as an opportunity to learn about long term behaviour change in the future. If individuals relapse, they need not start the cycle again; in most cases individuals begin the cycle again at the contemplation or preparation stages.
Once you have identified which stage of change you are currently at, you can use the table below to engage in activities that might help you to progress to the next stage in the cycle.
Many people find it easier to give up smoking when they do so with professional support. Research shows that nicotine replacement or medication plus psychological support is the most effective treatment in helping people maintain abstinence from smoking. If you are experiencing problems in reducing or quitting smoking and would like to contact us for professional advice and support you can book in to see us by calling our reception team on 800-LifeWorks or emailing them at info@lifeworks.ae
Dr. Shankar Srinivas Kuchibatla, Consultant Psychiatrist and Medical Director
Dr. Marie Thompson, Senior Clinical Psychologist
LifeWorks Holistic Counselling centre
If you would like to talk, feel free to reach out to us. An LifeWorks therapist would be able to help.
Dr. Naeema Ali trained psychology and social worker students of UAE University. She is actively providing counselling support to cancer patients and their families. She launched an occupational therapy for cancer patients and cognitive behavioural therapy in Tawam.
Due to her continued support in oncology and ongoing support to cancer patients, Naeema received countless awards locally and international to recognize her achievements and skills. She has been invited to participate in various conferences and workshops around the world and invited as a guest speaker in various subjects that covers psychology.
She also joined Al Sayegh Medical Center as a Social Worker, providing comprehensive assessment and treatment services to children and families, in inpatient and/or outpatient settings, and communicates with referral sources as indicated by applying psychometric test, such as IQ Test, MMPI, Wechsler Test for children. Exhibit superior communication skills to uncover complicated mental health issues; develop and recommend treatment plans based on patient needs and diagnosis.
She continued working as a clinical psychologist providing counselling within the multi-cultural environment of the Emirates Airlines for the past 15 years. Her main task is providing mental health support to inflight and ground staff and addresses any problems, anxieties, or job-related stresses that they are dealing with. She uses her findings to help improve processes and behaviors of a patient to maintain a safe environment, to manage stress, overcome trauma, or avoid job-related conflicts. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the method Naeema is using to reduce the difficulties, anxieties, and stress that employee faces.
Naeema is also part of “ Shawer ”, the “Seek Our Advice”, and “We Listen To You” program of the Family Development Foundation of Abu Dhabi. The aim of the program was to promote family awareness and support a stable family life. It involves a group of community members who deal with family problems in a positive manner and provide individual and group counseling in social, psychological, and educational areas. They do so in a systematic way according to the needs of community members.
Besides “ Shawer ”, Naeema is also a volunteer of “ Friends of Cancer ” of Sharjah, supporting patients and their families to overcome the multitude psychological difficulties that they are experiencing due to cancer treatment as well as introducing some programs such as health education, self-care and some community programs wherein they can collaborate and share their experiences.
Area of interest:
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Psycho-oncology
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CBT
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Psychometric Assessments
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Children, Adults and Family therapy
Qualification and Membership:
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Psychology graduation from the University of Wisconsin
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Licensed by Community Development Authority
Dr. Mohammed Bardi M.B.B.S, M.D (Psychiatry) has worked under different capacities in clinical and hospital setups in Saudi, USA, and UAE. He comes with over 15 years of experience in mental health. He specifically worked with cases relating to schizophrenic, bipolar disorder, dual diagnosis, major depressive disorder with suicidal risks, anxiety disorders, Intellectual disabilities, Autistic spectrum disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD).
Area of interest:
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Mood disorders
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Anxiety disorders
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Improving life skills (social skills, self- esteem, decision making, coping with stress, problem solving, and time management)
Qualification and Membership:
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MBBS COLLEAGUE OF MEDICINE, KING SAUD UNIVERSITY 2003 (KKU).
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ARAB BOARD OF MEDICAL SPECIALTIES IN PSYCHIATRY 2007
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ANXIETY DISORDERS WORKSHOP (DIPLOMA), 2010
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ADDICTION FELLOWSHIP UCLA, USA, 2010-2011
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ADDICTION RESEARCH AND MATRIX TRAINING, ISAP, UCLA, LOS ANGELES, CA, USA 2014-2015
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BACHELOR’S DEGREE OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY
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ARAB BOARD OF MEDICAL SPECIALTIES IN PSYCHIATRY
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ADDICTION FELLOWSHIP UCLA 2011, 2015
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BETTY FORD CERTIFICATE, ADDICTION PROGRAM 2010
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CDA) Licensed Psychologist
Therapeutic Approach:
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At LifeWorks Holistic Counselling Center Dubai, Dr. Bardi works collaboratively within our expert multidisciplinary team, in treating a wide array of psychiatric conditions including:
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Anxiety disorders
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Substance use disorders
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Mood disorders including depression and Bipolar affective disorders
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Psychotic disorders (Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders)
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Personality disorders
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Cognitive disorders including Dementia
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Learning disabilities (intellectual disability disorders)
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Child and adolescents’ disorders like Separation anxiety disorders, conduct
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disorders and ADHD