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Quitting Smoking: How Support Groups Can Help

Topic Overview

Support groups provide encouragement when you have decided to quit smoking. Support groups can:

  • Increase your chances of success.
  • Keep you motivated.
  • Allow you to express your feelings with others who understand.
  • Give you hope and the confidence to quit.
  • Improve your coping skills.
  • Decrease your feelings of isolation.
  • Help you stay on track.

Support groups are available in many communities. Your local health unit or provincial lung association may have information on support groups in your area. You can also check with your doctor, your employee assistance program (EAP), or a local hospital. Or you can call the Canadian Cancer Society at 1-888-939-3333.

If a support group is not available at a time you can attend, look into joining a telephone support group or an online support group, such as a community support group or a smoking cessation forum. Some forums offer quit-smoking journals that are posted so members can share their experiences.

Credits

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer Brian D. O'Brien, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer John Hughes, MD - Psychiatry
Last Revised September 19, 2011

Last Revised: September 19, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & Brian D. O'Brien, MD - Internal Medicine & John Hughes, MD - Psychiatry

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