Behaviour Modification
A Self-Control Program for Smoking Cessation
Christine Chambers
Trent University
Introduction
The behaviour modified for this self-directed behaviour change project is smoking. Smoking was selected as the behaviour I wish to change because it is known that tobacco use is the leading cause of premature, preventable death and disease (Edwards, Bondy, Callaghan, & Mann, 2014). Smoking is a behaviour that has been recently initiated; I started smoking occasionally in August 2013 (one cigarette a few times a week) and intended to buy only the one pack. However over a period of several months, my smoking has increased. The rationale for this choosing this target behaviour is that it is still a relatively
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Self-Directed Intervention Method
The initial phase of the self-directed intervention consisted of baseline measurement of smoking behaviour. Baseline data was collected for a period of 7 weeks and a functional assessment was completed during this time. Upon starting the intervention phase, the final target behaviour of smoking cessation was broken down into smaller, short-term objectives lasting 2 weeks each.
Functional assessment revealed that smoking behaviour was often preceded by a busy or stressful environment (antecedent) and that mood and/or anxiety levels functioned as establishing operations for smoking behaviour (smoking was often preceded by higher anxiety rating or lower mood rating). As well, the functional assessment revealed that smoking behaviour was maintained by positive sensory stimulation (the experience of a slight “buzz” when smoking) and by temporary escape/distraction from a demanding environment. Based on assessment results, the intervention phase consisted of a reinforcement schedule that provided rewards for changing criterion levels for smoking behaviour. The initial criterion was determined by calculating the mean number of cigarettes smoked per day during the baseline period. Each criterion level (or short term objective) lasted for a two week period before changing the criterion level again. The timeline for baseline, intervention, maintenance phases are outlined in table 1. The initial intervention selected was a
You will listen to my voice taking you through the changes you want to make… As you are completely relaxed… you will respond to my suggestion… From now, you will stop smoking… This is your wish and desire on which you will act on from now… No one is able to make the change except yourself… Think of the positives gained by yourself in total command… your response is yours only… You are the only benefactor… Think of the harm cigarettes cause...think of lungs being completely black… foul smell from your mouth…your clothes smelling … continue with your breathing in and out...think of your family… Think of spending money on buying cigarettes as money going down the drain…Don’t turn them into passive smokers… your health and that of your family matters…You will continue with further sessions which will help you achieve the change…
The Smoke Free campaign also uses the stages of change model. When an individual is trying to quit smoking they will go through the stages of change cycle. At the stage of pre-contemplation the individual who smokes does not have intention to change their behaviour, they may not be aware or not aware enough of the damage that smoking can cause to their body and their smoking problem. At the stage of contemplation the individual may start becoming aware that they have a problem with their smoking and they are seriously considering stopping smoking but they have not yet made commitment to do something about trying to quit smoking. At the preparation stage they are intending to do something about trying to stop smoking very soon, but they have not done anything yet. At the action stage the individual makes changes to their behaviour, so that they can overcome their smoking problem, for example completely stopping smoking, gradually cutting down on smoking, using nicotine replacement therapies such as nicotine patches, nicotine gum, inhalators etc. At the maintenance stage the individual will work to
Most contemporary psychological treatment approaches are predecessors of the ancient and medieval philosophies and theories. Cognitive behavioural therapy as one of the modern treatment method in not an independently formed treatment, different theories have contributed to its present shape and application.
The smoking cessation was witnessed by the author throughout her placement. This was used on a daily basis in the community by district nurses, health visitors, but especially by the general practice nurses as being incorporated in each consultation in the form of advices, leaflets, smoking cessation programs including medication and follow-ups.
Psychology is defined as the study of the human mind and mental status in order to predict and also explain aspects of human behaviour. In regards to the behaviour concerning addiction, tobacco use is considered the most highly used (and abused) legal substance nationwide. It also has the highest leading risk factors causing considerable rates in morbidity and mortality and several types of cancer, respiratory disease and heart disease; relating to why promoting behavioural change (through aspects of psychology) is considered so imperative in today 's healthcare environment. In addition, the health promotion source that this essay will be examining is the National Tobacco Campaign, aimed at altering smoking behaviours, plus the associated advertisement strategies used, and lastly the psychological theories associated.
Behavior is reinforced when one or more of the following Guidelines for Success (G.F.S.) are met:
3. Preventive Care and Screening for Tobacco Use: Screening and Cessation Intervention – Percentage of patients aged 18 years and older who were screened for tobacco use one or more times within a 24-month period and who had received cessation counseling intervention if they were identified as a tobacco user.
Based on the information collected from the patient, the best time to start his smoking cessation treatment would be on mid April, a reasonable date after an event where more than likely there was going to be smoking involved by others, potentially affecting the patient. Mr. Salem passed quit attempts without professional guidance where the reason why he was not successful, therefore a combination of non-pharmacological with pharmacological therapy is recommended, as the literature has shown that combining both with changes in routines used to be done by the person helps to reduce triggers, fight and resist urges, cravings, and possible relapse.
Of the roughly 42 million adults in the US that use tobacco, nearly 69% of smokers want to quit and more than 42% of those wishing to quit will make the attempt through various methods(1). These methods range from the "cold turkey" method, nicotine replacement therapy, behavioural therapy and even medicine. Each method has it's unique strengths and weaknesses as well as varying success rates. There are many reasons to quit and many ways in which to do so, either with methods that involve slowly weaning off of nicotine, like gums and patches from replacement therapy, to nicotine-free methods which require support from various sources.
Smoking is still a pressing issue for Americans, despite efforts to regulate and lessen tobacco use. One in every five Americans still regularly smokes a cigarette, and those who attempt to quit aren’t utilizing all the assistance resources available to them. With these treatments being more prominent now than ever before, there is evidence that supports the effects of a quitter using aid compared to one who does not. Providing brief interventions about tobacco cessation may encourage more quit attempts and use of appropriate treatments, such as a quit-lines or medication. Despite many efforts, healthcare providers are still failing to provide brief interventions to patients, which therefore exposes flaws in a healthcare-based strategy to drive
The results from this program showed a reasonably good outcome, when taking into consideration the success rate of other programs with a similar aim. Overall, the same percentage of people stopped smoking as with any other smoking program. However, the amount of money that the effort took was considerably lower than with other schemes (Giné et al., 2009). After all, nicotine patches need to be frequently purchased until the physical addiction passes, and the same applies to other schemes, so that quitting smoking is relatively expensive, even if not as much as keeping smoking indefinitely. Of course this program has just been studied in one occasion, and to be certain of its success more trials and long term scrutiny should be made.
Everybody at some point in their life has wanted to make a change, hopefully for the better. For most, it can take some serious self discipline to actually put these changes into full force. Here’s a proposition: take the time out of the day to sit down and actually think about the outcomes of the problem, and then decide if it’s worth going through the motions to make that change. Because everyone on this earth has a given amount of time everyday, no one can use the excuse that they don’t have the time of day; that’s bullshit. Yes, some may have a busy schedule but you have breaks throughout the day. May it be the required break they get from work, the commute from school to home, or when they’re alone with their thoughts at night;
According the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2015), cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States, accounting for more than 480,000 deaths every year, or 1 of every five deaths. In 2015, about 15 of every 100 U.S. adults age 18 years or older currently smoke cigarettes. However, this is a decline from nearly 21 of every 100 adults back in 2005. One reason for the decline is due to smoking cessation programs developed within our communities. These programs are helping smokers to quit their habit, and improve their health and lifestyle. Let us look at what it takes to make a smoke cessation successful within ones’ community.
Prochaska & DiClemente. (1983). Stages and Processes of Self-Change of Smoking. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. vol. 51, no. 3, pp. 390-395.
The extent of correlation concerning an individual conduct and wellbeing is daunting. I chose to address behavioral risk factor of cigarette smoking. Cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of mortality that is responsible for nearly six million deaths worldwide and over 400,000 deaths annually in