More on quitting smoking

• Mission Statement by Jessica Broitman, 11/9/96
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    • Control Mastery and Nicotine Addiction... by Lynn O'Connor, 12/20/96
      
      

Hi Lynn & Jessica, This has been kind of an interesting discussion. I like your perspective of trying to "hit it from two vantage points" because smoking is a complicated issue. I'm not sure I agree with the use of the label "addiction" although I would agree it does describe a real physiological phenomenon and I think it is helpful to have people not blame themselves as being weak willed when they are struggling with powerful cravings. But I tend to see relapse as often being associated with an inability to cope effectively with negative affect. This is a bit related to some earlier postings about affect and the pros and cons of "trying to get at the feeling" in a therapy session. Certainly therapy should be guided by the individual client and yet I think in many cases therapists could move therapy along by helping a client get at the feeling more rapidly. I don't think it is a simple issue.

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