Smoking is now the second largest identified health concern after alcohol for residents in the Bow Valley, but a free program offered through the Bow Valley Primary Care Network in Canmore can help people curb their addiction while promoting an active and healthy lifestyle.
The QuitCore smoking program, which is wrapping up its winter session this month with a view to resuming in spring, is a six-week information session that provides tools and practices for those looking to quit using tobacco.
According to The Canadian Lung Association, a non-profit and volunteer-based health charity that has been functioning for over 100 years, tobacco kills around 37,000 Canadians each year.
“Smoking is now the No. 2 identified concern after alcohol in our clinic,” said Spencer Schneider, the care manager of addiction and mental health in the Bow Valley.
“Prior to that it was typically alcohol, marijuana and cocaine,” he added. “I would say that’s been the case for one to two years now.”
The Bow Valley QuitCore program abides by the same format set out by Alberta Health Services and throughout the six weeks presents different topics with various guest speakers.
“We have pharmacists and active living consultants come in to talk to the group,” said Wendy Fultz, a nurse at Bow Valley Primary Care Network who has facilitated the past two programs.
“Just give them some tools and quitting support techniques to help them get through the times when they’re craving,” she continued. “They can choose a support person if they like. We actually encourage that because it is helpful to have somebody that has your back.”
In addition to other addiction tools like nicotine replacement and proper diet or achieving an active lifestyle, the program is also intended to address some of the prevalent mental concerns that are generally associated with smokers trying to quit.
“I think it’s the fear of the unknown,” the nurse explained. “They’re not sure how they’re going to react to quitting, they’ve done it all their lives. Stigmas and things like that are quite difficult.
“We do get people to track when they’re smoking and rate it from one to five,” she added. “One being I didn’t really need that and five being I need it more than anything in the world. We try to get them to eliminate the one, two and three if they can.”
Another technique that’s promoted within the program is keeping cigarettes, lighters and ashtrays in different locations such as in the trunk of your car or basement of your house. Rules like not allowing yourself to smoke in certain circumstances like driving are also encouraged.
“We try to teach them to delay as long as they can,” she said. “It’s really important that they look at the positive things and every tiny step that they do is really fantastic. Even if they cut down that’s a success.”
QuitCore is one of around 20 free programs offered at the Bow Valley Primary Care Network, which, according to communications consultant Marilyn Duncan-Webb, are all aimed at promoting wellness, managing chronic disease and increasing activity and healthy diet.
“One of the spinoff benefits is people who meet on the courses obviously have similar interests and will follow up with each other for support, Duncan-Webb said.
Although QuitCore is available for those looking to quit or cut down on smoking, Schneider pointed out that the final decision lies with the participant and in no way are they forced to do anything.
“There’s a bit of a myth out there that people are expected to quit at some point during the group and that’s not the case,” he said. “It’s to build their tool chest when they decide that they want to.”
Visit the primary care network’s website at www.bowvalleypcn.ca to learn about all the programs and stay tuned for the next QuitCore program in spring.
