City Mission rehabilitation program to end smoking

DECEMBER 10 2021 - 3:00AM

Residents at two Northern alcohol and drug rehabilitation centres have been offered a new treatment resource, after City Mission launched a program to help residents quit smoking.

The smoking cessation program is a continuation of City Mission's campaign to end smoking, after the organisation implemented a smoke-free policy at their Missiondale and Serenity House residential rehabilitation facilities in July.

City Mission alcohol and other drugs service operations manager Narelle Howell said the success of the program would result in better health and social outcomes for clients.

"While recovery from all substances is a new concept in Tasmania, statistically around 25-30 per cent of clients will have better long-term outcomes if they give up all substances at once," she said.

One Missiondale resident, who cannot be identified, said quitting smoking as part of his treatment had provided significant health and social benefits after only a short time. "When I came here I was looking like, it was more than likely I wouldn't make it close to my 50th birthday," he said.

"In the last 12 weeks, I have had nothing but great reports from the doctor, blood tests and everything like that have really improved."

Missiondale registered nurse Matt Carswell said he has seen great changes in many of the residents since the implementation of the program.

He said the quality of life was one of the most recognisable outcomes, with residents increasing their lung capacity and reporting their sense of taste had returned.

He said early consultations found those who had quite a while in the program had managed to avoid relapsing.

A copy of the original story is published in The Examiner Newspaper and can be accessed here