Merita Health - Comprehensive Healthcare & Medical Tourism Services in Uganda

About Smoking Cessation Programs

Merita Health offers medically-supervised smoking cessation programs that include behavioral therapy, medication support, and motivational counseling to help you quit smoking for good. Our comprehensive approach addresses both the physical addiction and psychological habits of smoking.

Our Smoking Cessation Services

Individual Counseling: One-on-one sessions with cessation specialists
Group Support Programs: Peer support and shared experiences
Medication Management: Nicotine replacement therapy and prescription medications
Behavioral Therapy: Strategies to change smoking habits
Relapse Prevention: Skills to maintain long-term abstinence
Follow-up Support: Ongoing monitoring and encouragement

Health Benefits of Quitting Smoking

Time After Quitting	Health Benefits
20 minutes	Heart rate and blood pressure drop
12 hours	Carbon monoxide levels normalize
2 weeks - 3 months	Circulation improves, lung function increases
1-9 months	Coughing and shortness of breath decrease
1 year	Heart disease risk cut in half
5 years	Stroke risk reduced to that of non-smoker
10 years	Lung cancer risk cut in half
15 years	Heart disease risk equals non-smoker

Medication Options for Smoking Cessation

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT): Patches, gum, lozenges, inhalers, nasal spray
Prescription Medications: Bupropion (Zyban), Varenicline (Chantix)
Combination Therapy: Using multiple approaches for better results
Personalized Plans: Tailored to your smoking patterns and preferences
Medical Supervision: Safe use under healthcare provider guidance

The Program Structure

Initial assessment and readiness evaluation
Development of personalized quit plan
Education about nicotine addiction and withdrawal
Behavioral strategies and coping skills training
Medication initiation and management
Regular support sessions (individual or group)
Relapse prevention planning
Long-term follow-up and maintenance

Benefits of Our Program

Triple your chances of quitting successfully
Medical supervision for safe medication use
Comprehensive approach addressing all aspects of addiction
Ongoing support to prevent relapse
Improved health and quality of life
Financial savings from not buying cigarettes
Protection for family members from secondhand smoke
Increased life expectancy

Program Details

Duration: 12-week program standard
Sessions: Weekly individual or group
Medication: Included in program cost
Support: 24/7 helpline access
Cost: Often covered by insurance

Start Your Quit Journey

Take the first step toward a smoke-free life.

Enroll in Program Call: +256 787 846806

Related Services

Quick Facts

✓ 3x more likely to quit with support
✓ Medically supervised
✓ Multiple medication options
✓ Behavioral therapy included
✓ Ongoing support available

Frequently Asked Questions

Common withdrawal symptoms include: cravings, irritability, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, restlessness, increased appetite, sleep disturbances, and depressed mood. These symptoms peak in the first week and gradually decrease over 2-4 weeks. Our program provides strategies and medications to minimize these symptoms, making quitting more manageable.

Comprehensive programs like ours that combine counseling and medication are highly effective. On average: Counseling alone: 10-20% success rate, Medication alone: 20-30% success rate, Counseling + medication: 30-50% success rate. Our program's success rates are at the higher end because we provide personalized care, multiple medication options, and intensive behavioral support.

Some people do gain weight when quitting (average 5-10 pounds), but not everyone does. We address this concern through: Nutritional counseling to make healthy food choices, Exercise recommendations to boost metabolism, Medication options that may help with weight management, Strategies to deal with increased appetite. Remember: The health benefits of quitting far outweigh the risks of modest weight gain.

Smoking Cessation Programs