Tobacco use program and integrative community therapy: whirling towards health

Abstract

This is an experience report from the coordinator of the Tobacco Use Program in Londrina – PR, which is not an Integrative Community Therapist, who found significant compliance in groups of smokers under treatment conducted by a community therapist. Hence, the Community Therapy Coordination was contacted to conduct sensibilization courses for facilitator agents of the smoking groups to debate the following topics: reflection over Community Therapy in Community Health, affectionate welcoming during discussion groups, Systemic Thinking and Communication Theory notions. A partnership was created between both programs. The goals were: to present results from the Tobacco Use Program associated to Community Therapy, to report its relevance for Health and for smoking cessation, and to discuss the positive experiences of Community Therapy in smoking groups. Two additional meetings were included within the program to perform therapy discussion groups. The first meeting took place in the beginning of the program to identify expectations, wishes and feelings related to tobacco use. The other meeting took place at the end of the program to highlight achievements, to reason feelings, and to strengthen selfconfidence in order to keep the smoker self-assured without relapses and to welcome those who haven’t quit the addiction yet. Smoking groups conducted by Community Therapists are able to increase program compliance and cessation of tobacco use. The Community Therapist skills in questioning, comprehending the addiction and accepting feelings experienced in the smoker daily routine make a difference in the groups. Also, these results motivate these professionals to engage on the Integrative Community Therapy course in Londrina-PR.