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Quit Smoking Now.
You Can Do It. Medicaid Can Help.
Why Quit?
- You will feel better.
- You will be healthier.
- You will live longer.
- You will save money.
Why Is It So Hard To Quit?
- Nicotine is a highly addictive drug found in tobacco. Over time, you become physically and emotionally dependent.
- Just after quitting, you will have withdrawal symptoms and feel bad. Withdrawal symptoms can include feeling dizzy, anxious, irritable, and trouble sleeping.
- Withdrawal symptoms can last from a few days to weeks.
How to Quit?
- Decide to quit.
- Make a plan to quit.
- There are medications that can help you quit. Ask your doctor if any of these drugs would work for you.
- Quit with a friend or family member
- Counseling, either by yourself or in a group, can also help. Counseling can be free through www.trytostopnh.org. Medicaid will pay for some counseling.
- Set a date.
- Get help.
- Expect withdrawal.
How Can Medicaid Help?
- Medicaid pays for all of the drugs that are FDA approved to help people quit smoking.
- Medicaid will also pay for counseling. This must be arranged through your doctor. If you are pregnant, you may go to either group or individual counseling. All other Medicaid clients can get up to twelve individual counseling sessions per year.
How Can You Measure Success?
- Less is better; any decrease in the amount of cigarettes smoked every day will improve your health. Eventually, you can get to zero cigarettes smoked!
- You can quit without medication, but almost 1 out of 3 smokers can quit for up to 6 months or more with medication. Talk to your doctor about whether medication would help you.
- Don't quit alone. Having someone quit with you will help both you and someone you care about.
For more information:
Developed in partnership with the New Hampshire Foundation for Healthy Communities. 2008.
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