March 3, 2008

Mercy’s Tobacco Cessation Class Convenes Mar. 4

Mercy Medical Center—Sioux City will offer the next session of its specialized Tobacco Cessation Class starting Tuesday at Mercy Business Health Services, 3500 Singing Hills Blvd, Sioux City.
For more than a decade, Mercy has used education, skills training and group support to lead the classes, which have helped many Siouxland residents quit smoking.

“We help class participants create and execute a tobacco cessation plan that will allow them to achieve their goal of becoming and remaining tobacco-free,” said Deb Twyford, RN and Certified Smoking Cessation Facilitator who leads the class. “We provide an ideal setting for positive group support. Many past participants say they are so thankful they participated in our program because of the very beneficial group support they received.”

Mercy’s tobacco cessation class is comprised of eight sessions. Participants attend the class on eight consecutive Tuesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

“During the first three weeks, we educate those enrolled in the class about nicotine addiction and nicotine reduction therapies,” Twyford continued. “We also talk about triggers, stress management, and help instill in them the motivation to quit smoking or tobacco use.”

“The fourth session is what we refer to as ‘Quit Day.’ We then focus on physical and psychological recovery, and issues like coping with cravings, and the potential for relapse,” Twyford added. “We also talk about how you might cope with certain social situations that might be more difficult for someone who is kicking the habit.”

Mercy’s class also focuses on lifestyle changes, weight control, fitness, and assertive communication.

For more information, or to register for the upcoming class session, call
(712) 274-4334.