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Tobacco Cessation Programs Information or to register: (413)-664-5567
REACH for Community Health sponsors programs and initiatives the goals of which are to prevent area residents from taking up smoking or to assist smokers in giving up the habit. Smoking and/or chewing tobacco is both a habit and an addiction. REACH addresses these factors in its programming. REACH offers the following programs:
- QuitLinks is a program that helps pregnant woman and women of childbearing age (15-50) to quit smoking. The program is also concerned about the effects of secondhand smoke on their children.
- Quitters Are Winners is a general smoking cessation program that is offered throughout the year to area residents.
QUITLINKS
The need to reduce the smoking rate among pregnant women and mothers with young children is at the crisis point in the Northern Berkshires. Recent statistics show that 38% of women that gave birth at North Adams Regional Hospital were smokers. This compares to a 7.9% rate statewide. Smoking during pregnancy can cause low birth weight and premature delivery. Smoking around small children can cause asthma and higher susceptibility to colds and ear infections.
Through a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, REACH introduced QuitLinks, a program to help pregnant women and mothers with young children to quit smoking. QuitLinks is a quit smoking program with the best interests of pregnant women and moms in mind. It offers individual counseling to help moms and moms-to-be quit smoking. QuitLinks also offers support to other family members to create a supportive quitting environment for the mom.
Appointments are available with the Tobacco Treatment Program Coordinator in a setting that best accommodates the mom---the home, the REACH offices or in the community. The Tobacco Treatment Coordinator provides assistance throughout the quitting process, so families can expect ongoing support. QuitLinks offers this outreach to mothers and their families so that quitting smoking can become an attainable reality.
QuitLinks works directly with the Northern Berkshire obstetrician/gynecology providers, pediatricians and the local WIC (Women, Infants, & Children) office. These providers screen moms and moms-to-be and offer referrals to QuitLinks. In addition, QuitLinks accepts referrals from other area providers that work with families and also welcomes self-referrals from moms.
Collaborators of QuitLinks include: Northern Berkshire Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northern Berkshire Family Medicine, the office of Doctors Gerrity, Griffin, DeGrenier & McDermott, the Williamstown Medical Associates pediatric and obstetrician/gynecology providers and Northern Berkshire WIC (Women, Infants & Children).
If you are interested in the QuitLinks program contact the Tobacco Treatment Program Coordinator at (413)-664-5567 for more information or to get started on quitting.
QUITTERS ARE WINNERS
Are you ready to quit smoking? The average smoker makes seven attempts before achieving success, but many do it faster! Those who avail themselves of both group support and the assistance of tobacco replacement products such as patches or gum, increase their chances of success.
Quitters Are Winners is a four session tobacco cessation program sponsored by REACH. A trained tobacco treatment specialist helps the group to create a supportive environment which, in turn, helps participants break the tobacco addiction. Each tobacco user who joins the group develops an individual plan for quitting.
Quitters Are Winners provides information about stress management, weight control, and how to prevent or handle relapses. During the classes, the facilitator teaches a step-by-step method for changing behavior and quitting tobacco use. The program addresses positive thinking, changing behaviors, one-on-one help, rewards and group support to help smokers to attain freedom from tobacco use.
The four class series is offered weekly on Monday evenings from 6 – 7 PM. Pre-registration is required. The registration fee is $20, but is refundable upon completion of the program. Appropriate nicotine replacement therapies such as gum or patches are available at REACH’s cost. Some insurance plans reimburse attendees for course fees and tobacco replacement products.
For more information or to register, call the Tobacco Treatment Program Coordinator at (413) 664-5567.
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