Tobacco is a substance that has addictive properties. Extended use of tobacco results in attitudes and behaviors similar to other addictions. A certain percentage of tobacco users can be considered "chronic." These individuals generally have long histories of continuous us; they have made many serious, but unsuccessful, attempts to quit using, and they often have experienced serious harmful consequences from their use of tobacco. If they are going to be successful in their recovery from tobacco addiction, these individuals need a more intensive approach than what most smoking cessation programs provide and they will need ongoing continuing care.

Your Next Step provides support from counselors and peers and gives participants permission to take their tobacco addiction seriously. Withdrawal is supported and attended to by holistic measures such as acupuncture and massage therapy. This program is less about "quitting smoking" than it is about exploring options for, and making a significant commitment to, lifelong recovery one day at a time.

Program Objectives

By completion of this program, participants will have:

• Become detoxified and experience seven days of tobacco abstinence in a supportive atmosphere in preparation for continuing abstinence.
• Identified the addictive characteristics of tobacco use including specific ways in which they are powerless over the drug and examples of consequences they have experienced due to their use of tobacco.
• Described the progression of their addiction to tobacco.
• Identified life areas needing to change in support of tobacco recovery.
• Identified alternative strategies, other than tobacco use, for coping with life stresses.
• Constructed a plan for ongoing recovery and support.

Tobacco Recovery Program - Your Next Step main page