Tobacco Cessation
Tobacco is the most commonly abused psychoactive substance in India. Tobacco was introduced in India some 500 years ago and rapidly gained popularity. Tobacco has permeated in to the diverse, pluralistic Indian communities in several forms depending its socio-economic- religious and cultural ethos. It is available as smoked form and smokeless form. The most common smoked forms are the Cigarette, beedi, chutta, cheroot, cigars and pipes. Smokeless forms include gutka, khaini, tobacco pastes, zardha, mawa etc.,
Today, it has emerged as a leading cause of preventable deaths and diseases. Continuous use of tobacco in any form has been linked to nearly all diseases – lungs, heart, kidney, skin etc., It has emerged as a primary cause of many cancers of the lung, head and neck regions. It contains more than 400 active chemicals, many of which are cancer producing ones. It has been suggested that tobacco reduction and habit cessation would bring in much needed changes in health promotion across India.
Tobacco, in any forms has a high addictive potential. Habituation to addiction often occurs in a rapid pace. Tobacco addiction has several dimension – physical and psychological.
Quitting tobacco has always been a challenge. There are several schools of thoughts. Some of them would be going “cold turkey” while others suggest a staged reduction. The different philosophies have different indication and been successful for certain types of individuals. There is single method or treatment algorithm that suits all.
Choosing and adhering to the most appropriate protocol for quitting needs professional help. Psychiatrists are trained medical professionals to help the subject-patients.
The treatment starts with a pre-treatment assessment, where Dr. Anusa will assess the pattern of tobacco abuse, dependence/addiction against known effective scales, assess health condition. This session often will be beneficial if it involves caregivers and well-wisher like family. They will be educated about the ill effects of tobacco, motivated and supported to quitting.
Later, an inclusive plan where the client-subject, family/caregiver, Psychiatrist Dr. Anusa contribute to develop a customized plan for tobacco cessation will be developed. Subsequently, Dr Anusa will plan for tobacco withdrawal management.
If and when required Dr. Anusa will effectively prescribe anti- Craving Medications, Nicotine substitution therapies such as gums, patches, involve other physical and psychological methods for tobacco deaddiction. Appropriate tablets that aid in Tobacco cessation would be also considered as a part of the tobacco deaddiction and quitting strategies. At the same time, Dr. Anusa, as a part of holistic, wholesome physical assessment will assess the extent of damage on lungs and other organ system by the use of tobacco. Appropriate specialist consultation will be recommended.
Once the craving ceases and use of tobacco is null, the process of prevention of relapse begins which would again be a holistic approach – physical/mental/emotional aspects that promotes relapse would be educated and periodic interaction planned.
Psychiatrist Dr. Anusa, in the process of tobacco cessation will employ anti-tobacco craving drugs, nicotine substitution medications such as patches/gums, psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, counselling etc., to effectively deaddict her subject-client-patient.