- 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
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Jan. 27, 2010
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Jan. 9, 2010
- Helping others can help you become a non-smoker
Dec. 24, 2009
- Finding inner talents can aid the quit smoking process
Dec. 15, 2009
- Focus on gratitude, not craving a cigarette
Nov. 24, 2009
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Quit smoking blog
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Jan. 15, 2009
Gradual change key to quitting smoking
By Jennifer A. Kern, M.S., C.T.T.S.
There's nothing like following up the gluttony and indulgence of the holiday season with the promise of completely renouncing pleasure and diving nose-first into the "new you" of the new year.
For most people, New Year's resolutions involve a dramatic shift of some sort in the hope of instantly bringing out the better self. Change, however, is something that rarely comes in one fell swoop, rather it involves a process. And a process, according to Webster, is "a natural phenomenon marked by gradual changes that lead toward a particular result."
Most of us have had the experience of breaking our resolutions nearly as soon as we make them. Part of the reason for this has to do with the "gradual" in the definition above. When we try to change too abruptly, without adequate planning and preparation, our bodies and our psyches struggle to adapt. We are conditioned to act in certain ways — we have automatic responses to different things, people, places or events in our lives. Undoing familiar patterns of behavior takes time and dedication, not to mention planning and persistence.
When quitting smoking or making any kind of lifestyle change the first step is making a decision to do it and then committing to the result. Setting small, doable goals can make the process flow more smoothly so the transition to becoming smoke-free feels more natural.
What are some gradual changes you can make to enhance your chance of success and make 2009 the year you keep your resolution of becoming a non-smoker?
31 comments posted
November 17, 2009 7:07 p.m.
Hi, I'm a student at Metro State of Denver. I'm researching a new product possibility; the product would be a "Quit Smoking" aide that offers a stepping down approach. I am a former smoker myself but I'm addicted to Commit lozenges and they contain nicotine. I would still buy them if they had zero mg of nicotine but they don't offer that. I would like to market a product that does. Anyways, I made this survey for my research project and it would really help me if anyone could take it [smokers, former smokers, and non-smokers are all welcome] Thanks so much. -- Casey Here's the link to the survey. http://www.surveygizmo.com/s/206243/r2zgt
- Casey
August 4, 2009 8:52 p.m.
My husband and I quit together (AGAIN) July 17th, just before going on vacation with our family including his wonderful Mom and quirky brother. Change of scenery, none of the usual routines, blah blah. He used gum and I used it the first day, but after that I didn't need the gum. My problem isn't so much the nic as the habit. I feel like I have lost my "get a grip" tool. I feel so stupid, but I'm scatterbrained, I can't focus on ANYTHING, my work is suffering and we REALLY can't afford that. I'm afraid of Chantix because I have suffered with depression and it scares the what out of me. From what I'm seeing here it may be a mistake to try this cold turkey thing. I see failure in my future and I'm really upset to be a disappointment to my family, my kids, my friends and most of all myself. I know the resolve is strong at first but then your brain starts to play tricks on you. The angel on my right shoulder is getting her butt kicked by the devil on the left! I'll just keep praying and trying. My Mother has COPD and it scares me. Apparently not bad enough yet.
- Elaine
May 15, 2009 1:07 p.m.
With over 45 yrs of serious addiction (2+ pks/day) I have tried it all. From the Patch (that released all it's nicotine at once while at an Air Show nearly killed me) to hypnosis and Welbuterine, but nothing lasted more than two weeks until now. I am on my 11th week of Chantix and it has not been easy. Although it's not the "Miracle" pill everyone thinks it is, it IS the best thing so far. It requires lots of hard work, but it made me more aware of the "habit" ones I didn't need. I still slip up with a few puffs now and then, especially under stress (I care for preschool grandkids and an aging parent) but I am quite proud of myself. My problem now lies with my insurance provider. Even with my Drs approval it seems they won't cover the cost after 90 days. I'm sure whomever made that decision was a nonsmoker as they have no clue. I'm afraid that after next week my brain will go into retrograde and I will be hooked once more. Seriously, quitting an almost lifelong addiction in just 12 weeks is totally unrealistic.
- EB
March 10, 2009 7:21 p.m.
Today is my 7th day I quit. Prior I have been smoking cigars for 14 years(inhaling..forgive my spelling). For the last 2 years, I must have tried quiting atleast 50 times. Though I have a lonngg way to go..I learned a couple of things. Elore, I can relate and you can and will do it..I feel I am in great company with all of you. Alot of non-smokers cannot relate to the struggle we all go through on a hour by hour basis. But one thing is for sure: we all are taking responsibility for our bodies and our love ones by quitting. That is something I am proud of.
- Lyle
March 8, 2009 12:26 a.m.
I am not having any luck trying to quit but after reading all your comments I think I will now, my biggest prob was the nights, I live alone and I was getting anxiety attacks in the evening without that smoke, dont really know anyone to call and talk to or visit so it has been rough, I start again, now, this moment, cheer me on please---thank you
- Elore
February 20, 2009 8:03 p.m.
Through the Grace of God and his Son our Savior Jesus Christ I was able to quit smoking almost 18 years ago. I started smoking cigars here and there almost two (2) years ago. Though it was no big deal. In fact I work out almost every day. Lost 35 pounds from running, but ended up smoking two (2) to five(5) cigars a day (backwoods). before I new it, I was smoking them in the morning,lunch, on the way home from work, ect. I got very sick with the flew on january 2, 2009 and was not able to slepp for two days, could not eat for almost four (4) days. Beofore I new it, I had not had a cigar for two (2) days and through the grace of God and hs Son our Savior Jesus Christ have not had one since, almost 7 weeks. The last two (2) weeks have been very hard and especially the last two (2) days. I actaully found myself looking around the house for one and tonight I bought one. I am going down stairs right after this blog and ripping it up. I have not smoked it. I made a gratitue list with 100 items on it and I made a list of about 16 prime reasons to stay quit. Forget about the money. The best reason is freedom from the boudage of being addictive to cigars. I do it admit that I miss it and I am struggleing. Of myslef I am nothing. God does the work Bob
- Bob
February 11, 2009 8:52 p.m.
On September 15, 2008, I found my only child, age 32, dead in her bed. Danielle was totally disabled by mental illnesses for about 12 years. She received mental health treatment with a facility named Valeo. They did wonders for her - counseling, case manager and medication's. The State of Kansas (SRS) assigned a primary doctor to her, Dr. N----. I took her to all of her appointments, due to her fear of driving. Three (3) times went to Dr. N----s office - NEVER saw the doctor. She saw two (2) different ARNP's. The office had all of her medications listed in her chart - the med.’s included but were not limited to: Risperdal 1 mg twice a day Zolpidem 10 mg per day Doxepin 150 mg per day Clonazepam 1 mg - twice a day Depakote Er 500 mg tablets x 3 at bedtime Then she wanted to quit smoking - one of the ARPN's wrote not one but two prescriptions for Chantix. Having her full medical history in a chart in front of her. The pharmacist did NOT say anything about possible side effects, nor did they call the doctor’s office with concerns of drug interactions.On September 7, 2008, she had talked her only friend out of suicide. The Sunday after Dani’s death I saw the Chantix commercial “The Tortoise and The Hare.” I called our local Coroner and raised my concerns. He called me back the next day after calling four (4) different labs of which none of them checked for Varenicline. All branches of the US Military have quit dispensing it. Is Pfizer's little pill worth a life??
- Childless Mother
February 10, 2009 3:34 p.m.
I smoked from age 15 to age 42, and I smoked a lot (from morning to night, sometimes during the night). I quit 16 months ago after taking Chantix. The first week was really rough, near panic almost constantly, then things tapered off. I hardly ever think about smoking any more - thought this day would never come! There is no such thing as "I am trying to quit", that is just an excuse to make you feel better until you give up quitting and go back. Results may vary ;-) The best of luck to anyone quitting, but always remember, you are not alone.
- Scott
February 8, 2009 10:11 p.m.
whew - badly need information tonight... Finally stopped smoking- 3.5 months ago. Friday, thought I do not need to spend $$$ on Nicoderm patches, lozenges, etc. anymore. Went out of my mind a bit... Unlike myself behaviour/ thoughts. Now, think it was too sudden - to zero nicotine after 40 + years... Question : is the nicotine THAT strong an influance on the recovering brain ? If so, please provide a realistic timeline for continuing patches, etc. many thanks, Col
- Coline
February 4, 2009 3:15 p.m.
I had tried to stop smoking for years. i finally realized that I had change my routine. No smoking right when I got up in the morning. Then no smoking in the car. Then no smoking after I ate. Little by little I got used to not smoking and my "routine" was broken. I quit smoking the day Peter Jennings died from lung cancer. It also helped me to go to the American Cancer Society website and see the progression of not smoking for periods of time and the good it does for your body. Like after a few hours this happens, then after a week that happens, then after 5 years..etc. You can quit. Please try. I hope this helps.
- Carol
31 comments posted