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Behavioral Medicine Clinical Services assists adult outpatients with the management of chronic medical conditions. Treatment is tailored to individual needs. Psychologists are specially trained to help modify behavioral or lifestyle factors which may perpetuate or exacerbate the symptoms of particular medical conditions. Programs include: Headache Program, Chronic Pain Program, Integrated Behavioral Medicine Services, Management of Chronic Medical Conditions, Smoking Cessation Program, Center for Weight and Wellness

Educational programs for the prevention and control of lung diseases such as tuberculosis, emphysema, asthma, flu and pneumonia and the reduction of cigarette smoking, air pollution and occupational health hazards. Offers quit smoking programs and support; educational and support groups for adults with asthma, emphysema and chronic bronchitis and their families and for children with asthma.

You may wonder why behavioral treatment to quit smoking is important when there are smoking cessation medications (e.g., Zyban, Chantix) and nicotine replacement products (nicotine patch, lozenges, inhalers) available. Behavioral strategies may be helpful because smoking is integrated into many aspects of a smoker’s life. Cigarette smoking is used to relieve stress or take a break from work. Smoking is often coupled with drinking coffee or alcohol. Perhaps the most important reason is that many smokers have tried to quit several times and may want to do everything possible to make the next quit attempt successful. The psychologist wants to understand how smoking is a part of your life. You will be asked questions about the history of your smoking. There will be questions about past quit attempts. There will be a focus on why you think it is important to quit smoking now. The provider may ask you to fill out some questionnaires in advance to best understand you. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) teaches you how to recognize and cope with factors in your life that may contribute to your smoking. It helps to understand how thoughts and behaviors affect your smoking and how to modify them for successful smoking cessation. You and the psychologist will set specific treatment goals together. Treatment may focus on any or all of the following: Managing Triggers and Urges to Smoke Nicotine Fading Relaxation Strategies and Stress Management Techniques Modifying Thoughts to Make Them More Beneficial to Quitting Getting Social Support for Quitting Education on Various Smoking Cessation Medications and Nicotine Replacement Products Relapse Prevention

RI Smokers Hotline: Free, personalized phone counseling. Nicotine Replacement Therapy available.