- With Mayo Clinic behavioral counselor
Jennifer A. Kern, M.S., C.T.T.S.
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Jennifer A. Kern, M.S., C.T.T.S.
Jennifer A. Kern, M.S., C.T.T.S.
Jennifer Kern is a tobacco treatment specialist, certified through the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center.
Her counseling work addresses various aspects of tobacco addiction, including the love-hate relationship many tobacco users have with their smoking or chewing, education about nicotine addiction, and effective strategies to help with quitting.
In addition, she explores the importance of getting emotional and social support when stopping tobacco use, and offers ideas and suggestions about how to ask for and give this support.
Being bilingual, she enjoys counseling in both Spanish and English. She holds a master's degree in psychology, with interests including spirituality, psychosomatic illness, depression and anxiety, maladaptive coping behaviors, and overall health behavior change.
"As a former smoker, I am personally familiar with the complexity of dealing with the 'tobacco shackles,' " she said. "I am committed to helping others conquer this addiction so they may regain their freedom and possibly even save their own lives."
Latest entries
- Focus on gratitude, not craving a cigarette
Nov. 24, 2009
- Join the Great American Smokeout
Nov. 17, 2009
- Preparation key to quitting smoking
Nov. 5, 2009
- Learning to be a non-smoker
Oct. 23, 2009
- Build confidence in effort to go smoke-free
Oct. 16, 2009
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Quit smoking blog
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June 7, 2008
Welcome to our new tobacco blog
By Jennifer A. Kern, M.S., C.T.T.S.
Welcome to our new tobacco blog!
As a tobacco cessation counselor, I frequently hear people say "I just don't have enough will power — if I were stronger I could quit." The feeling associated with this thought is very real, but the truth is that most people cannot just put down the cigarette or step away from the tin of chewing tobacco. This is because we are talking about a real physiological and psychological addiction to nicotine. The word addiction in the English language originates from the Latin root "addictus" which means "to devote" or "to yield." In Dutch, the word for addiction is "verslaving" which directly translates to "enslavement." I think this conveys what most tobacco users experience in their relationship with smoking or smokeless tobacco.
People generally try smoking or using other forms of tobacco during adolescence. What they don't realize at the time is just how addictive tobacco products are and how tough it will be to stop later in life. They think, "I can quit anytime I want," or "I'll only smoke while I'm in my 20s." Of those who experiment with tobacco, approximately 90 percent will become addicted. Once their personally-appointed grace period passes they realize quitting is not as easy as they had anticipated. What they find instead is that they are literally enslaved.
My hat is off to anyone who has overcome or is striving to overcome an addiction, but especially to tobacco. A nicotine addiction is comparable in strength to a cocaine or heroine addiction, and confronting it is one of the greatest challenges many people will face in their lives. So, it is not just a "bad habit" we are talking about. This is a common misconception however, since tobacco products are both legal and easily accessible. In reality, breaking free from tobacco takes incredible courage and frequently requires a tremendous mental, emotional and financial investment. The result of these efforts, however, can mean taking back your life!
What about you? Are you or a loved one struggling with a tobacco addiction? Have you tried to quit over and over again and feel like all you're getting good at is failing? Don't be discouraged. Dealing with addiction is a very complex task, and getting proper treatment is the first step to regaining control and overcoming this powerful force.
In this blog I will discuss a myriad of issues that come into play when addressing nicotine addiction and working toward a tobacco-free life. I'm excited about the opportunity to connect with you through this forum, and I look forward to reading your responses and "hearing" your personal stories.
184 comments posted
June 9, 2008 12:14 a.m.
You know what really sucks is when you are somewhere you want to quit smoking but its the wrong place. Im in Iraq right now and i really want to quit its just so hard not to when you got everyone around you smoking and he availability is just right there. But the thing is i want to quit i just need that extra push.
- Justin
June 8, 2008 8:57 p.m.
hopless. i am so very sorry you are having such a hard time. try not to think about it when the urge hits it will last about 3 minutes, one day at a time. my health is shot, you don't want to get there, patiricia
- patricia
June 8, 2008 8:03 p.m.
Dear Donna and all, I can only say that Chantix is a miracle drug and will definitely work. I was a 40 years smoker who had never even tried to quit. I was forced to when I got diagnosed with emphysema. I was amazed by Chantix and I thank heaven for it. You don't think about smoking. Say, oh, smoking, yeah, that's for other people not me. When you take Chantix, just don't fight it. The drug works on the chemicals in your brain so that you won't think about smoking, and you don't. You really don't. Just trust it and go with the flow. You can do it. Anyone can do it if I can. It has been almost a year and a half now and I will never go back!
- Angela
June 8, 2008 7:26 p.m.
Last March I was criticaly ill with double pneumomia MRSA and black mold in my lungs. I spent six on a vent with a trach and in a durg induced coma. I never thought about cigaretts for five months. When I was able to go home I would find my self searching for someting and I didn't know what. Then I new it was my cigaretts. In a moment it passed. Approximately eleven or twelve months later. My son had forgot and left his on my night stand. The phone rang I answered it went outside on my elevator lit the somke and talked. When I finished the conversation I realized what I had done. Needless to say I started a journey that I never wanted to go on agin. Unforutnatley I am somkeing half a pack a day. I am so upset with my self if feel like a failure, I feel I I am puting my family though torucher again. They had to watch me go through coma being told the doctors didn't think I would make it and all the terrior I went through when I came out of the coma. I don't want to do this again. I started yesterday taking Chantix to try and stop this madness. Is there any one who can give me any promising support about Chantix? I am desprate!!!!
- Donna
June 8, 2008 10:48 a.m.
I am a mother of 3 girls, I have lost in one year my mother,grandmother and uncle to different health problems. I despertely want to quit smoking but I can't seem to go a day, I want to make sure I'm around to watch my little ones grow but lifes pressures seem to get in the way. I've tried everything. My next attempt will be prayer at every urge (at the suggestion of a friend) will let you know how it goes.
- karlissa
June 7, 2008 10:03 p.m.
I haved tried quitting a few times (once for a year). You have to just quit, without thinking about it so hard. If you do light up, so what just try again that day. I have done the patches and yes they help, but it's too easy to give in. The only times I have quit for a long time was using the patch for a week, ONLY a week, and then just going cold turkey. I carried a patch for a while, but never used it. It's nice to take control of your own life. I don't say I am a smoker or a non smoker. That adds too much pressure. After a couple of weeks it gets much easier...
- ~Tabitha
June 7, 2008 8:24 p.m.
Deciding to quit is just as personal as loosing weight or seeking help for alcohol addiction. I applaud anyone and everyone who has quit, is trying to quit or is thinking about quitting. It is difficult, and smokers are the new lepers in society. But, quitting is do-able, I know cuz I've done it several times :) and am now on my next attempt, which I hope will be my last.
- Toni
June 7, 2008 7:14 p.m.
One of the issues I have with ppl/counselors who try to give advice on quiting smoking is the fact they have never smoked. The say they understand how difficult it is, but they really don't. I feel like such a failure and the war and agony within to quit smoking puts me into a high state of anxiety and with all of the new media "bashing" I feel like a leper which doesn't do anything for my self-esteem since I already feel like a total loser and weakling, already anguishing inside and ppl walk by holding their noses and loudly making horrible comments to anyone who is smoking. When I have tried to quit smoking I have physical systems of extreme cramping in my stomach where I will sit and kneed my stomach so hard there are marks/scratches on it. I don't think ppl know the physical/emotional/mental pain that smokers feel or how the overwhelming of failure and weakness totally drag you down into a dark feeling of utter hopelessness and put into a "cast" system by others of being lower than anything else on the planet.I wish more than anythingin the world I had never picked up that first cigarette and am grateful my children don't smoke.
- Hopeless
June 7, 2008 6:37 p.m.
i have been off nicotine for 9 weeks, i am in a state of shock that i am not miserable although i would just love to have a ciggie and cup of coffee and probably al;ways will it really ticked me off that all the smoking aids just keeps feeding people nicotine. mind over matter so i'm told, don't wait until your my age.
- patricia
184 comments posted