MDwise knows that quitting tobacco is a big deal, but you don’t have to do it alone. We want to help you stop by giving you some tips to make it easier.
- Get Ready. Plan and prepare to quit.
- When do you want to start?
- Think about the good things that will happen when you quit.
- Get rid of anything that makes you want to use tobacco.
- Think about what you learned from trying to quit before.
- Find your support team that will encourage you.
- Tell your friends, family, even co-workers about your plan.
- Let them know how important this is to you and if they can keep tobacco away from you.
- Get help from your doctor or other professionals.
- Learn the skill of quitting. It’s like learning a new skill, you have to figure out how to keep going and stay balanced.
- Make a plan to keep yourself busy when you want to use tobacco.
- Keep something nearby to hold or eat, like candy or gum.
- Find new fun things to do.
- Be ready to manage your withdrawal symptoms
- Take your medicine the right way. Medicine can really help you quit using tobacco and make you more likely to succeed.
- Nicotine Replacement Therapy helps to stop cravings, and you can get some without a prescription (like gums, Inhalers, Nasal Sprays, Lozenges, Patches)
- Your doctor can also prescribe medications, and some are covered by MDwise.
- Be ready if you slip up. For most people, quitting isn’t the hardest part, it’s sticking with it. The first three months are the toughest.
- Find ways to handle stress
- Don’t be too hard on yourself if you slip.
- Limit things that trigger you, like coffee or alcohol.
- Exercise, eat healthy and pay attention to your moods and weight.
- Always remember why you wanted to quit.
MDwise has many resources to help you. We have case managers who can assist you over the phone. They can give you resources and support. To talk to a case manager, call customer service at 1-800-356-1204 and ask to be connected to a case manager. Help is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET or 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT.
Another great resource is Quit Now Indiana. You can get ideas, support from coaches and help with medication to quit. You can call the Quitline at 1-800-QUITNOW (1-800-784-8669) anytime, 24/7. You can also visit their website at www.quitnowindiana.com
Reference:
Five Keys to Quitting- QuitAssist