Outpatient Services

Smoking Cessation

SSTAR offers a number of smoking cessation services that include individual and group counseling. In addition, SSTAR offers tobacco treatment to local businesses who are interested in running a program for their employees.

Two smoking cessation groups are offered: Monday mornings at 9am and Tuesday evenings at 6:15 p.m. The groups focus on education about nicotine dependence and provide a forum to learn coping skills to help with quit efforts. Any person with any stage of readiness and want to look at their smoking behavior and discuss potential for quitting is welcome. The Mass. Bureau of Substance Abuse is supplying free nicotine patches and gum to assist with quit efforts. However, use of this tool is not required. In order to arrange to attend this group, a referral can be made through an existing SSTAR counselor or an intake appointment may be set up through Joan Fitzsimmons at 508-324-3526. Insurances will be billed as a counseling group. "

For information on individual smoking cessation treatment or employee programs, please call Michelle Rapoza at 508 324 3522.

For information on group smoking cessation treatment, please call Joan Fitzsimmons at 508 324 3526.

As part of our ongoing continuum of care:

• We do a nicotine dependency assessment for all intakes in our Ambulatory Behavioral Health Clinic and provide free nicotine patches and nicotine gum for any substance abuse clients. A one week supply is given each time the client comes in for treatment.
• Our Intensive Outpatient Program and all relapse resistance groups routinely address tobacco education.
• Our outpatient clinicians incorporate tobacco cessation into treatment, where appropriate.
• We use Motivational Interviewing to increase the readiness for change in tobacco users.