Smoking Cessation Therapy in Chicago

Smoking is highly addictive, and for many people, it's more than just a habit. It can become a way to cope with stress, anxiety, or difficult emotions. If you're ready to quit, smoking cessation therapy can help you overcome barriers that may have made it difficult to stop in the past and develop strategies that work for you.

Research shows there are effective treatments for smoking cessation and tobacco use disorder. Smoking cessation therapy in Chicago has helped many people successfully quit smoking. For those with more severe nicotine dependence, a psychiatrist may also recommend medication to make the process more manageable. Learning more about your treatment options can help you take the first step toward quitting.

Let’s cover what smoking cessation therapy is, what to expect, why quitting smoking is so difficult, and more!

Key Takeaways:

• Smoking cessation therapy helps people quit smoking by identifying triggers, building healthier coping strategies, developing new routines, and increasing self-compassion throughout the quitting process.
• Clarity Clinic does not provide specialized treatment for Tobacco Use Disorder or intensive smoking cessation programs. However, we can refer you to appropriate tobacco cessation specialists. We also welcome individuals who are maintaining their recovery from nicotine dependence and want support in strengthening their mental health.
• Many people benefit from combining behavioral therapy with medication. A psychiatrist can prescribe and manage smoking cessation medications, and research shows this combined approach can improve quit rates.

What is Smoking Cessation Therapy?

Smoking cessation therapy is a type of treatment that helps people quit smoking. It involves working with a licensed mental health professional, such as a therapist or psychologist, who uses evidence-based approaches to help people overcome nicotine dependence. Common approaches include behavioral therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and motivational interviewing.

Many therapists who provide smoking cessation therapy have completed specialized training or certifications in tobacco treatment. Throughout the process, they'll work with you to understand your goals, identify the factors that contribute to smoking, and develop strategies that best support your success.

How Does Smoking Cessation Therapy Work?

Smoking cessation therapy is non-invasive and highly beneficial. Sessions look exactly like what you would expect in a typical talk therapy session. They usually last about 45-60 minutes each. In smoking cessation therapy, you might work with a mental health professional to:

• Identify specific triggers. What makes you want to smoke? Is there anything that makes your smoking urges stronger or more difficult to get past? For example, certain times of the day, social events, being alone, or life stress?
• Find strategies that reduce smoking urges. When you want to smoke, what can you do instead? Your provider will help you make a plan. This can include anything from changing everyday routines (e.g., not going to smoking areas on work breaks or when out with friends, adding physical activity and time for hobbies to reduce stress and boost mood, replacing smoking with another habit) to skills for tough moments, like deep breathing, urge surfing, and healthy distractions.
• Increase motivation. If needed, a therapist can help you find and internalize reasons to stop smoking. This does not mean shaming yourself. Quite the opposite. It usually entails identifying how smoking doesn’t align with your values, needs, or wants in life.
• Find self-compassion. If you do feel shame or struggle with being hard on yourself during this process, therapy can help you develop a more helpful internal dialogue. Many people mistake shame as a motivator. In actuality, self-compassion strongly supports positive behavior change.
• Get support for withdrawals and other challenges. It can be important to have a place to talk about emotional and physical withdrawal symptoms as you work to stop smoking. Therapy gives you a place to talk about what’s on your mind, whether it’s difficulties like a friend who still smokes around you, physical health problems, divorce, moving, or something else.
• Make a relapse prevention plan. A therapist can help you identify how to move past slip-ups, which is often an important part of successful treatment.

In some cases, a person who is in smoking cessation therapy may have co-occurring concerns they’d like to address. This could be life stress, ADHD, anxiety, an eating disorder, or something else. When that’s the case, a therapist may also provide support and treatment for these concerns.

Why is Quitting Smoking So Difficult?

If you've had trouble quitting smoking, you're not alone. Quitting can be challenging for many reasons. For most people, it's a combination of nicotine dependence, withdrawal symptoms, emotional coping, and deeply ingrained habits.

Nicotine Changes the Brain

When you smoke regularly, your brain becomes dependent on nicotine. Nicotine triggers the release of dopamine, a chemical involved in feelings of pleasure and reward. Over time, your brain builds more nicotine receptors, leading to cravings and making it harder to quit. Many people also begin to rely on nicotine to cope with stress, anxiety, or difficult emotions. The good news is that these nicotine receptors gradually return to normal after you quit.[1]

Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms are another common challenge. When you stop smoking, you may experience irritability, anxiety, headaches, difficulty concentrating, and trouble sleeping. These symptoms can be uncomfortable and may make it tempting to start smoking again. Support from a therapist or psychiatrist can help you manage withdrawal and stay on track.

Smoking Becomes a Habit

Smoking isn't just physically addictive, it often becomes part of your daily routine. You might smoke with your morning coffee, during breaks at work, after meals, or while spending time with friends. Over time, these routines become closely tied to smoking.

A smoking cessation therapist can help you identify your triggers, build healthier coping strategies, and create new routines that make it easier to quit for good.

Is Behavioral Therapy for Smoking Cessation Covered by Insurance?

Yes. Smoking cessation therapy is cost-effective for both individuals and insurance companies, as it can help prevent the need for other healthcare services in the future. Most insurance plans will help you cover behavioral therapy for smoking cessation. However, this does not mean they will help you pay for services wherever you go.

Finding a therapist or clinic that accepts your insurance plan is the best way to ensure your therapy is covered. Using your insurance to help cover behavioral therapy for smoking cessation can reduce treatment costs significantly and make it more accessible.

Can I See a Psychiatrist for Smoking Cessation?

Yes. Psychiatrists play an integral role in mental and behavioral health care. Someone going through smoking cessation may benefit from seeing a psychiatrist because they can:

• Prescribe and manage medication. For many people who want to stop smoking, medication combined with therapy promotes positive outcomes. While both are effective, using them together can more than double your chances of quitting.[2]
• Provide diagnostic services. Psychiatrists can evaluate for and diagnose conditions like tobacco use disorder and possible co-occurring concerns (e.g., ADHD, anxiety, depression).
• Make treatment recommendations. They can collaborate with you to develop a treatment plan. If needed, your psychiatrist may refer you to other providers, help you find more intensive care (e.g., drug rehab programs), or suggest alternatives if your current treatment plan isn’t working.
• Order tests. For example, you may benefit from genetic testing or lung cancer screenings.[3]

Since psychiatrists are medical doctors, they can provide certain types of care that other mental health professionals cannot. For example, while a therapist can offer counseling and referrals, they cannot prescribe medication. For some people, working with both a therapist and a psychiatrist can provide the support needed to successfully quit smoking.

When Should You Seek Professional Help to Quit Smoking?

You may want to seek professional help to quit smoking if:

• You have had unsuccessful attempts to stop smoking.
• You experience intense withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop smoking.
• Smoking affects your health, relationships (e.g., family, friends, partners), or quality of life.
• You have two or more symptoms of tobacco use disorder.
• You have co-occurring mental health conditions.

At the end of the day, anyone who wants to stop smoking can seek professional help. If you think it’d support your process or want someone to talk to, these are reasons enough to look for a therapist.

Therapy and Psychiatry in Chicago

Clarity Clinic does not offer specialized treatment for Tobacco Use Disorder or intensive smoking cessation programs. If you need specialized tobacco cessation treatment, we're happy to connect/refer you to the appropriate care.

However, if you're already receiving smoking cessation treatment, have your tobacco use under control, or are looking for support while working toward quitting, our team can help address the mental health concerns that often accompany nicotine dependence. We provide therapy and psychiatry for anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, ADHD, and other co-occurring mental health conditions that can affect your long-term well-being and recovery.

We have multiple clinics located throughout the Chicago area and virtually across Illinois.

Whether you're navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, or another mental health concern, our compassionate team is here to support you. Call your nearest Clarity Clinic location or contact us online to schedule an appointment.

Smoking Cessation Therapy FAQS

References

[1] How do smokers' brains change in response to high nicotine levels? - Mayo Clinic News Network. (2012, February 24). https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/smokers-brains-change-in-response-to-high-levels-of-nicotine/

[2] Clinical interventions to treat tobacco use and dependence among adults | smoking and tobacco use | CDC. (2024, May, 15). https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/hcp/patient-care-settings/clinical.html

[3] Smoking cessation interventions | AFP. (2022b, November). https://www.aafp.org/afp/2022/1100/smoking-cessation-interventions

Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment. Never ignore or delay seeking professional help due to information found here.