Mayo Clinic's Nicotine Dependence Center offers Group Program for Quitting Tobacco

Wednesday, October 12, 2005

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic's Nicotine Dependence Center is now offering the Tobacco Independence Group, a six-week group program designed to help people stop using tobacco. Research shows that this type of group experience can increase the likelihood of successful quitting when compared to more traditional treatments.

"We are pleased to provide this as a treatment option and are encouraged by the success of this new program," says J. Taylor Hays, M.D., associate director for the treatment program at Mayo Clinic's Nicotine Dependence Center. "It meets the needs of patients who may benefit from the group support that cannot be provided by one-on-one treatment with a counselor. The Tobacco Independence Group gives our patients more flexibility in treatment options."

The group is led by tobacco treatment specialists and includes up to 12 participants. Group members share their plans, successes and challenges with initial attempts to quit smoking, while specialists provide a unique, supportive opportunity for each participant to learn to be and stay tobacco free. This combination of peer support and clinical expertise offers an environment conducive to long-term successful quitting.

A participant of the first six-week Tobacco Independence Group commented that "it was easier than I thought it would be." A second participant noted that "making the weekly commitment to the group to not smoke has really helped a lot."

Individuals interested in the Tobacco Independence Group meet first with a certified tobacco treatment specialist and develop an individualized treatment plan. The next group begins Thursday, Oct. 20 and runs for six consecutive Thursdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. For more information, call the Nicotine Dependence Center at 507-266-1930 to schedule an appointment for an initial intake session.

For more information on Mayo Clinic's Nicotine Dependence Center and its programs, visit the Web site.

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