WHAT is the NICTOTINE FREEDOM SYSTEM?

Nicotine Freedom System offers a structured program that is completely compatible with the nicotine replacement therapies: nicotine transdermal patches and nicotine gum. In addition, it is flexible in format and applicable to a number of settings.

The Nicotine Freedom System is grounded in five discernible bodies of addiction treatment theory and research. These bodies of theory and research and the originators include:

1. Transtheoretical -- Stages of Readiness to Change Model (Prochaska & DiClemente, 1992);
2. Motivational Interviewing (Miller and Rollnick, 1991, 1992);
3. Cognitive-Behavioral Skills Training (from numerous primary authors found in bibliography);
4. Relapse Prevention (Marlatt and Gordon, 1985);
5. Twelve-Step Program theory.

While much of the previous material is integrated into both the individual and group intervention sections of this Professional Training Guide for your convenience, several of these theoretical bodies of knowledge are detailed and presented separately.

The identification and brief discussion of these areas will give you a broader theoretical working knowledge of the major components of the Nicotine Freedom System. Areas presented separately are:

• National Cancer Institute Model
• Transtheoretical Model -- Stages of Readiness to Change
• Motivational Interviewing
• Weight Management
• Stress Management
• Hypnosis
• Social Support

  Nicotine Freedom Sponsor System

  Nicotine Anonymous

• Relapse Prevention
• Check-In Charts
• Nicotine Replacement Therapy

Since each of these bodies of knowledge is extensive and encompasses a wide-range of addictive disorders, only those concepts which are relevant to the treatment of nicotine dependence will be discussed.

It is also important to note that the conclusive system for working with smokers and smokeless-tobacco users has not yet been designed. Many questions related to the epidemiology and treatment of addictions and the treatment of nicotine dependency still need to be formulated and answered.

Nicotine Freedom Kit

To assist you, the professional, in working with smokers and smokeless tobacco users, specialized aids have been developed. In addition to this Professional Training Guide, you will find the Nicotine Freedom Kit, a complete learning program and coordinated materials to be used by your client/patient. It provides you with cutting-edge tools to make your work easier, more organized, and more effective. It conveniently organizes key strategies shown to be effective by thousands of researchers through decades of scientific study. Yet, it is simple to use and is written using everyday language so as to be easily and successfully utilized by most clients/patients.

Nicotine Freedom Kit Components

The Freedom Kit components begin with the Handbook containing basic information about how to use the entire system. The kit also contains a MAP Book, which is a cigarette-pack-sized book packed full of projects to be completed and physically carried in the place of tobacco products. It is designed to help the tobacco user make decisions and action plans to be implemented throughout the nicotine freedom process. It is also designed to classically condition a positive cognitive response to cigarette cravings when participants carry it instead of their tobacco product.

Also included is a cigarette substitute to temporarily satisfy the need for oral or manual stimulation experienced by many smokers. It helps extinguish the strong association between the physical nature of the cigarette and its immediate delivery of nicotine to the brain.

The Freedom Kit also includes twelve audio lessons integrated with written aspects of the system to conveniently address key issues in the process of becoming -- and staying -- nicotine free. Information was provided in the form of audio lessons to minimize the need for contact hours with you, the professional, and to make selected information repeatedly available to the client/patient. This approach was taken to make the Nicotine Freedom System appealing not only to managed health care providers (who are interested in maximizing the effectiveness of limited contact hours), but to clients/patients as well.

Other tools include the Declaration of Independence and the Check-In Charts. The Declaration of Independence is a behavioral contract designed as a separate component to emphasize the importance of making a commitment to oneself. The smoker or smokeless-tobacco user is asked to complete the behavioral contract while with the professional, thereby adding the element of having an "official witness" to the commitment.

Check-In Charts constitute the evaluation component of the Nicotine Freedom System. Participants are strongly urged to complete a two-to-four minute questionnaire daily throughout the first four weeks. Thereafter, they are strongly urged to complete the forms on a less frequent basis. This process accomplishes three goals. The first goal is to establish a pattern of self-monitoring regarding daily tasks to be completed for successfully overcoming nicotine dependency. The second is to develop self-reinforcing behaviors. The third is to provide feedback to the Nicotine Recovery Institute and the author of this program regarding the quality and usefulness of various components and strategies used by the Nicotine Freedom System with different populations. This ongoing research component willallow us all to continue developing and implementing the most effective tools for specific groups utilizing the system. We are dedicated to continuous program evaluation. Our goal is to provide you with the most effective system available. Your assistance will help us all.

Specialty Programs

This entire Nicotine Freedom Kit can be used in a wide variety of settings and with different populations. For example, it can be used with inpatient or outpatient populations and with individuals or groups. Although the kit is designed to be used by all smokers and smokeless tobacco users, specialty program formats are available for specific settings. For example, the kit can be adapted for worksites, military, fitness club, primary care, chiropractic, hospital, chemical dependency and general psychotherapysettings. Specialized training workshops are available through the Nicotine Recovery Institute for each of these settings for professionals wanting more specific information.