Breathe Easier: Your Partner in Tobacco Recovery

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At Southwestern, we know that quitting tobacco is one of the most significant steps you can take for your mental and physical health. We also know it’s one of the hardest. That’s why we don’t just ask you to quit—we provide the clinical tools, professional support, and medical resources to help you succeed.

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Our "5A" Commitment to You

 

We follow a proven model to support your recovery:

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• Ask: We check in on your tobacco use regularly.

• Advise: We provide clear, clinical reasons for quitting.

• Assess: We meet you where you are in your readiness to change.

• Assist: We coordinate your care and treatment options.

• Arrange: We stay with you through follow-up support to prevent relapse.

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Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death globally, and used more prevalently by individuals with mental illness. Southwestern has chosen to take extra steps to incorporate support for our clients because extensive research has demonstrated that adults with mental illness die earlier than the general population; most commonly from diseases strongly correlated with tobacco use, like heart disease, cancer, and lung disease. Additionally, nicotine has mood-altering effects that can mask symptoms of mental illness, ultimately predisposing those affected to an increased likelihood of use and addiction. And finally, tobacco smoke can interact with and inhibit the effectiveness of certain medications to the extent that higher doses may be required than what would have otherwise been recommended for non-smoking clients.

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Advanced Recovery Tools

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• Carbon Monoxide (CO) Screening: A simple, non-invasive breath test that lets you see your progress in real-time. Watching your CO levels drop as you reduce tobacco use is a powerful motivator for your recovery.

• Medication-Assisted Treatment: We offer a variety of FDA-approved options, including Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), Bupropion, and Varenicline to help manage cravings and withdrawal.

• Seamless Coordination: Whether you prefer working with your primary doctor or the Indiana Quitline (1-800-QUIT-NOW), we facilitate the referrals and communication needed to keep your care consistent.