This is a government-sponsored quit smoking support line – the website provides some information about what you can expect if you call.  Since it’s government sponsored, it’s free.

The site has a series of videos to answer some common questions about quitting smoking and using the quit line.  However, the videos don’t all match up to the questions listed, and the ones I listened to tended to cut off in the middle, so the site may be having some technical problems.

Nonetheless, free phone-based quit smoking support could be helpful.  I’d certainly be interested in hearing if anyone has tried this particular one, and what it was like for you.

Let others know what you think: If you have personal experience with this resource or have an alternative suggestion, add your comments below.

The Complete Quit System is my own proprietary smoking cessation program.  It’s a step-by-step method for quitting that focusses primarily on dealing with the psychological issues around smoking.  (It also deals with the physical addiction to nicotine, but in my experience, that’s really the easier of the two aspects to overcome.)

It’s not free – after all, I have to earn money somewhere so I can provide all the information in this blog and the Quit Smoking Advisor site for free, right?  But I did pour my heart and soul into making it the best home-based program I possibly could, and I don’t think you’ll find another program that deals with the psychological aspects of quitting nearly as effectively.  If it works for you, it’s a bargain at twice the price.

Let others know what you think: If you have personal experience with this resource or have an alternative suggestion, add your comments below.

]]> https://www.ask.quit-smoking-advisor.com/2009/10/09/complete-quit-system/feed/ 5 https://www.ask.quit-smoking-advisor.com/2009/10/09/quit-smoking-advisor/ https://www.ask.quit-smoking-advisor.com/2009/10/09/quit-smoking-advisor/#comments Sat, 10 Oct 2009 01:20:00 +0000 http://www.ask.quit-smoking-advisor.com/?p=93 www.quit-smoking-advisor.com

The Quit Smoking Advisor site is the companion site to this one.  On that site I describe various methods for quitting – from Acupuncture to Zyban – and try to provide science-based information about how well each one works.  You’ll find info about prescription drugs, nicotine replacement therapies like patches and gum, natural methods, acupuncture, hypnosis, and various programs, including residential smoking cessation programs.

For each method, I summarize what I could find in the scientific literature about the effectiveness, and then I stick my neck out just a little and provide some recommendations based on everything I learned while researching the method.

Be warned that this is an information-laden site, so it’s very text-heavy.  If you want straight-up information about a method you’re considering, poke around in that area of the site so you can make an informed decision before you start.

If you’re curious about a method that’s not discussed on the Quit Smoking Advisor site, dash me off an e-mail with your question, and I’ll try to answer it either in this blog, or on the QSA site.

Let all of us know what you think: If you have kudos or (constructive) criticism for the Quit Smoking Advisor site, feel free to add a comment below.

The American Lung Association site has a number of smoking cessation resources, as you would expect, including government fact sheets and reports, FAQ’s, ‘healthy lung comparison’ sheets, and an assortment of information for employers or organizations that want to help employees quit.

They also have a free online program called “Freedom From Smoking” which is administered by a trained facilitator.  (She acknowledges in the introduction that she was never a smoker, but apparently watched several family members struggle with quitting.)  The program has several modules with lots of advice and tips, as well as an online support forum.

For a free program, it really looks pretty good, although I think their approach to the psychological aspects of quitting is a little bit superficial.  (Of course, I’m a psychologist, so I tend to be biased in that direction.)  Also, it’s worth noting that they are considering starting to charge for the program, so you may want to check into it soon if you’re interested.

This site also has a lot of information about various lung diseases that are smoking-related, such as COPD and emphysema, so if you’re suffering from one of those, this may be a good site to check out.

Let others know what you think: If you have personal experience with this resource or have an alternative suggestion, add your comments below.

]]> https://www.ask.quit-smoking-advisor.com/2009/10/09/american-lung-association/feed/ 2 https://www.ask.quit-smoking-advisor.com/2009/10/09/american-cancer-society/ https://www.ask.quit-smoking-advisor.com/2009/10/09/american-cancer-society/#comments Sat, 10 Oct 2009 00:24:02 +0000 http://www.ask.quit-smoking-advisor.com/?p=81 www.cancer.org (click on “Quit Smoking Guide” on the left)

The American Cancer Society has one lo-o-o-ng page of information about quitting, including information about various methods, including a list of additional resources.

The information is the same basic info that you’ll find on most of these kinds of sites, but this is a fairly comprehensive rendition of it.  It includes explanations for things like how nicotine works, why you should quit, withdrawal symptoms, how your body heals, etc.

They also have an online search form for finding a “quit-line” (telephone support) in your area, although I couldn’t get that function to work when I tried it.

Let others know what you think: If you have personal experience with this resource or have an alternative suggestion, add your comments below.

QuitSmoking.com is an everything-including-the-kitchen-sink kind of site with a mish-mash of information, including lots of products that are supposed to help you quit, a message board, and a newsletter.

It’s been around for some time, but appears to take more of a quantity-over-quality approach.  You may find what you’re looking for, but be prepared to spend some time searching, and realize that you’ll need be selective.

Let others know what you think: If you have personal experience with this resource or have an alternative suggestion, feel free to add your comments below.

QuitNet is a large support forum for quitters.  A handful of features can be accessed by non-members, and a few more are available if you sign up for the free membership.  A “premium” membership (read, ‘paid’) is required to get access to all of the features, such as ‘expert advice,’ the FAQ, and the forums.

The site appears to be very well established, so if this appeals to you, check it out – at least at the free level.

Let others know what you think: If you have personal experience with this resource or have an alternative suggestion, feel free to add your comments below.

WhyQuit is a site dedicated to supporting cold-turkey quitters.  There is even a forum that you can participate in, but only if you quit ‘without the use of any products, pills, or procedures.’  (You can read the information regardless of your status.)

The site also has a number of interesting articles, including a very touching section with stories about lost loved ones, many relatively young.  If you’re still not sure of the dangers of smoking, a handful of these stories will remove any lingering doubts.

Let others know what you think: If you have personal experience with this resource or have an alternative suggestion, feel free to add your comments below.

No, this isn’t a site about free cigarettes. It’s a government-sponsored site dedicated to helping people quit.  It has a lot of good, basic information, and you can also order pamphlets about special topics in English and Spanish.  There is a ‘step-by-step’ guide to quitting, as well, although the advice is pretty basic.   On the upside, everything is free.

Let others know what you think: If you have personal experience with this resource or have an alternative suggestion, add your comments below.