Provide self-help materials. The Cancer Society offers a well-prepared free packet. Make contact with the smoker's physician or psychiatrist. In a simple letter, outline the patient's need for support, highlighting this dependency as a serious issue. One or two follow-up visits with the physician in addition to regular visits with us can be very helpful.
Success rates improve with the number of modalities used.
This stage is easily neglected, as we sink back into our own complacency. Use role-play techniques. Role playing difficult situations can help. Alternative coping strategies need to be developed and practiced in session, if possible. Moderate exercise should be reinforced.