Success Case Study

PS, 40 yrs. male client, working in the government sector as a crane operator was referred from MGM Hospital to Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation’s LifeFirst Counseling Program to quit tobacco. PS was a tobacco addict and alcoholic. During the first session of LifeFirst counseling, he informed the counselor about an unfortunate life-changing event that became a turning point for his tobacco consumption habit. This habit soon took the form of addiction.

During the initial session, upon inquiring about the history of tobacco use – PS informed the LifeFirst counsellor-Harshali Gaikwad, that his sister died due to Covid – 19 disease after which he increased his consumption of tobacco along with alcohol. He cried while discussing his issue, he was aware that his tobacco uses if not resolved now may then get transformed into a huge health issue later.

Counselor Ms.Harshali after gathering all the information and by understanding the trigger point started her session by telling him about the ill effects of tobacco and alcohol. After talking about the disadvantages, she started to guide him on how he can manage to quit.

Ms.Harshali told him that this is a gradual process, and he needs to patiently follow strategies discussed during the counseling session. She suggested measures and techniques which PS started inculcating in daily life. PS followed all instructions and trusted the process; because of this gradually he started having control over his tobacco intake and cravings.

To achieve this objective counselor Ms.Harshali Gaikwad suggested useful techniques such as 4D’s to facilitate the quit attempt of PS.

· Following inputs suggested during the counseling helped PS to bring about the required quit. Drinking Water (during Craving)

· Deep Breathing

· And Using replacement (instead of tobacco – In this case – PS used carom seeds and fennel seeds instead of tobacco during cravings.)

·

During the quitting process there is the chance of slight headaches and shivering among clients trying to quit, which even PS had faced but the counselor had suggested measures for that too like deep breathing etc… He reduced using tobacco to a great extent within 3 months of enrolment in LifeFirst program. After the 6th session of the program, PS completely quit tobacco. This helped him financially also – as he used to spend a lot of money on tobacco and alcohol.