LEWISTON – Central Maine Medical Center will offer Quit for Life, a five-session workshop designed to teach people to become tobacco-free. The class will include instruction on preparing to quit, getting through the first few days, avoiding triggers to start smoking again and staying tobacco-free forever.

The series will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. beginning Wednesday, Nov. 3, in classroom A. Other class dates are Nov. 10, 17 (Quit Day), 24 and Dec. 8. The cost is $40.

Participants will receive time-tested coping strategies, information on overcoming addiction, preventing relapse, managing stress, exercise and nutrition. To address the addictive nature of nicotine, the program includes an explanation on the benefits of nicotine replacement (patch, gum, nasal spray, inhaler) and Zyban, how they are used and what the side effects might be. The group setting provides support, sharing ideas about what works and the assurance that you are not going through it alone.

Wendy Tardif, a CMMC community educator, will be the facilitator. She has more than 15 years of experience helping individuals become tobacco-free. She was recently certified as a tobacco treatment specialist and is part of a statewide training team for the certification of tobacco specialists.

Participants in the program will have a direct link through Tardif to the medication voucher program at the Maine Tobacco Helpline. The program provides free nicotine replacement for those without insurance coverage.

CMMC/CMHC employees will be reimbursed program costs if they attend all the classes. No one will be turned away based on the inability to pay. Class size is limited and preregistration is required by calling Central Maine Medical Center’s Wellness Center at 795-2473.

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