Self-help Articles

by Reid K. Hester, Ph.D.

I would like to quit smoking, but I am on Zoloft, Alprozolam, and take another antidepressant to help me sleep at night. What would the best approach be for me? I suffer from Panic disorder and it can really get rough sometimes.

Many people use cigarettes or chewing tobacco as an extra, easily available medication to calm their nerves or paradoxically, to wake them up and get themselves going. Nicotine is the only drug that will both calm you down and wake you up, depending on the external factors at play in your world, or in other words, whichever you need at the moment. If you are getting mental health medication, you must have a doctor who is prescribing these medications.

You might also be seeing a psychotherapist who talks with you regularly. I'd encourage you to talk to your treating mental health professional(s). He or she (or they) know you best and should be able to point you in the right direction for what you need to get the best possible plan. Then write down your plan, have all your treating professionals be aware of it, set yourself a date, and go for it. Make sure you do not have exceedingly stressful events scheduled for the next two or three weeks. Use the Community Forums here at SelfhelpMagazine for support! Give it everything you have!

About the Author:

Reid K. Hester, Ph.D., Director, Research Division, Behavior Therapy Associates, 9426 Indian School Rd NE, Suite 1, Albuquerque, NM 87112. Phone: 505.345.6100.

Dr. Hester is has developed an evidence-based, web application called ModerateDrinking.com to help heavy drinkers be successful in changing their drinking. A video demo of the program is available at www.behaviortherapy.com