By Valerie S. Nosek

Anyone who has ever smoked knows how difficult it is to quit. I know because I smoked all through college and well into my adult life.

As I got older, and was well-hooked into the habit, I thought about quitting almost everyday. But then I’d feel stressed and felt I needed a smoke, or worst yet, I just wouldn’t even think about what I was doing and light up.

At the time, if you wanted to quit smoking, you basically went cold turkey. The gums and medications we have today weren’t available then to help smokers quit. (OK, I’m dating myself!) The point is, I can understand how smokers today, who want to quit, look to anything that will assist them.

But a recent article from CNN highlighted concerns about two drugs commonly prescribed to assist those who are trying to quit smoking. The article, Two Anti-Smoking Drugs to Carry Mental-Health Warnings, pointed out that while we know “smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability and death,” those using prescription medications Chantix and Zyban need to be aware that the medications have been reported to cause changes in behavior, including depression and suicidal thoughts.

The article quotes Dr. Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research as saying, “The risk of serious adverse events while taking these products must be weighed against the significant health benefits of quitting smoking. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability and death in the United States, and we know these products are effective aids in helping people quit.”

I know people who have used Chantix when they were quitting smoking. One person did very well with the prescription, the other did not. The person who did not do well with the medication was fortunate in that she was tuned in with her emotions and moods, so that she immediately recognized changes in her own behavior and feelings. She reported these to her doctor, who then took steps to take her off the prescription.

Recognizing that quitting smoking is the best thing that smokers can do for their health, the FDA does not say that these prescription aids for quitting should be avoided. But they do emphasize the importance of being monitored by your physician.

If you or someone you love is thinking about quitting, gone are the days of the solo mission. There is help available.

Look to:

• Your physician
• The American Lung Association
• The American Heart Association
• Community support groups
• Local “Quit Smoking” initiatives
• Your employee assistance program

When I quit smoking, I know the company I worked for offered an employee assistance program (EAP), but I never thought to go there for help. The EAP was promoted basically for those needing coping or mental health assistance.  Now that I work for an EAP, I realize that a comprehensive EAP offers so much more to employees and their families.  

Counselors skilled at helping people with other habits and addictions can be just as helpful when used for smoking cessation.  And, if smoking is related to stress, counselors can help to develop a smoking cessation plan that starts with stress coping techniques.

Believe me, anyone who smokes knows that it is bad for their health. Often, it’s not a matter of the “want” to quit, but it’s really about how hard… really hard… it is to quit. Find the support you need to do it.

And if you are a former smoker, or a company who has promoted a successful quit smoking initiative, we’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments section here.