As an ex-smoker, and an advocate for greater attention to the
efficacy of smoking cessation efforts, I welcome the Cochrane review. I
was surprised, however, that the review did not consider experience with
residential 12 step programs. I am a serious nicotine addict, and was
only able to 'quit' following a 5 day residential treatment program,
modeled on residential alcoholic treatment programs conducted by the Caron
Foundation Wernersville, Pennsylvania ( www.caron.org)
I am pleased, and quite surprised, to say that I remain nicotine free
now 10.5 months after treatment -- the longest I have remained nicotine
free since the age of 18 (I am now 50). At current count, 10 of the 14 of
us who went through the program remain nicotine free.
I do hope that your research begins to explore the efficacy of this
and similar programs, since wider awareness among physcians may amplify
the success of their personal intervention with smoking patients.
Rapid Response:
Personal Testimony
Sirs,
As an ex-smoker, and an advocate for greater attention to the
efficacy of smoking cessation efforts, I welcome the Cochrane review. I
was surprised, however, that the review did not consider experience with
residential 12 step programs. I am a serious nicotine addict, and was
only able to 'quit' following a 5 day residential treatment program,
modeled on residential alcoholic treatment programs conducted by the Caron
Foundation Wernersville, Pennsylvania ( www.caron.org)
I am pleased, and quite surprised, to say that I remain nicotine free
now 10.5 months after treatment -- the longest I have remained nicotine
free since the age of 18 (I am now 50). At current count, 10 of the 14 of
us who went through the program remain nicotine free.
I do hope that your research begins to explore the efficacy of this
and similar programs, since wider awareness among physcians may amplify
the success of their personal intervention with smoking patients.
Competing interests: No competing interests