Over the past three months DMH Connections has highlighted the process for the rollout and implementation of the Tobacco Free Campus Initiative. This month, we are pleased to share several staff and consumer success stories around smoking cessation.
 
One consumer, David, states that he's been smoking for more than 10 years.  He stopped on Dec. 7 with the help of the patch as his nicotine replacement treatment.  He doesn't think it was too hard to stop.  He reports that "things smell better and food tastes better."  He's put on a little weight but no more than a few pounds.  He has more money in his pocket which he uses to buy more food. He is "happy it happened."
 
Another consumer, Helen, says that she has been relying on the support of the Smoking Cessation Task Force and attending a cessation group. She successfully stopped smoking for six months last year but took it up again.  She stopped smoking again in July 2009 and has remained smoke free.  She has found staying smoke free easier since Dec. 7 when the DMH Tobacco Free Campus Initiative was launched and many of her peers no longer smoke--she doesn't have to deal with all the triggers, she said.  Helen cites benefits such as realizing that things smell better, food tastes better and she can now climb the stairs without getting winded.  She no longer has the smoking urge but will occasionally take a lollipop if she starts missing a cigarette.
 
Donna, a DMH Southeastern Area employee, used the smoke-free initiative as the impetus to stop.  She started with Chantix two weeks before the Dec. 7 implementation and continued for a month until she felt she could do it on her own.  She is very satisfied with the results.  Donna said, " I am not as tired at the end of the day.  I have more energy and I feel a lot better."  Although she still has cravings, she keeps a bottle of water handy to help her get through it. 
 
Employee Deanna stopped smoking years ago and said she is pleased to not have to pass through a cloud of smoke when accessing the facility entrances or in the courtyard.  She states that her asthma is better as a result.
 
An older male patient whose guardian was very concerned that the client would get upset when told he could not smoke was given extra time, counseling and education (both guardian and client). The patient wore a nicotine patch and things went smoothly. When the client was asked how he felt about being tobacco free he said with a broad grin, "I never liked those cigarettes anyway." Other guardians have also commented that they have been pleasantly surprised how well consumers have done.
 
A staff member at Westborough State Hospital said, "I think that the grass roots efforts started by the smoking task force here at Westborough in 2003 have been instrumental. They raised consciousness about the health issues with continued smoking and laid the groundwork for a change in the culture of the campus. Having several fun, educational events with positive motivators to promote smoking cessation as well as dedicated rehab groups and grand rounds lectures regarding smoking cessation and treatment kept this issue very visible and helped it remain a priority for Westborough. The staff were provided support groups and motivators along with patients and this had a positive effect on improving the health of the entire campus community."
 
If you have a personal account about your success with the Tobacco Free Campus Initiative that you would like included in a future issue of DMH Connections, please send it to Michelle Cormier.