Departments

Medical Departments

Tobacco Detoxication Centre of "The Friends"a.s.b.l.

What does our program consist of ?

Examination questionnaire about tobacco habits (optional)

All the staff receives an anonymous examination questionnaire about its tobacco habits. The questionnaires filled in are collected through internal correspondance or by correspondance sent to the "Friends of the Bordet Institute". The data are encoded and treated in detail in a report which can be discussed with the people in charge of the company. Once informed about the results of the survey and about the wishes of the staff, a start of the programme can be contemplated.

 

Information session (one hour and a half)

The staff of the company is invited to attend an information session about tobacco habits, the advantages of abstinence, and the content of the programme. The stress is put on a positive and constructive approach. At the end of the session, those who are intersted can join a group.

 

Individual conversation (45 minutes)

A psychologist meets each participant in order to analyse his tobacco behaviour and his motivations to stop smoking. It is important to stress that our programme is especially intended for motivated smokers who strongly want to stop. At the end of the conversations, a group made up of 6 to 10 persons is formed.

 

Preparation groups (one group of one hour and a half a week)

In order to prepare the definitive stop, 4 groups discussing themes directly linked with tobacco are set up :
-   The motivations to stop smoking
- Stress management
- Relaxation treatments
- The gain of weight and its controle.

 

Phase of detoxification

During the first three months, 9 sessions in groups ( one hour and a half) are organized. The participants benefit from a psychological and medical follow-up.
The efficiency of these groups lies on group dynamics, social support, interreactivity among the participants, the role playing technique…
The total stop of tobacco behaviour is approached in terms of responsibilization instead of guilt. The attention is focused on the different facets of the stop : psychological and physical smoking cessation. In order to facilitate the physical smoking cessation, a transdermal nicotine patch, an adhesive bandage which sticks on the skin and diffuses nicotine in the organism and/or nicotine gums are used on medical indication.
Moreover, medical data such as weight, proportioning of carbon monoxide, blood pressure and pulse are measured at each reunion.

 

Phase of preservation

We propose a 9-month follow-up to the abstinent persons after three months. A psychologist guarantees the support through 7 reunions in groups (during a period of 9 months) in order to avoid any relapse which are very frequent during the first year of smoking cessation.

 

Checking of this page : 11/2009