Despite a political commitment to tobacco control, 16 million people still smoke in France, with significant human and societal costs. While support programs exist, smoking cessation remains challenging for both patients and healthcare providers.
The management of smokers presents various challenges, such as the fear of failure, lack of knowledge about available support, or previous experiences with withdrawal symptoms, all of which hinder the cessation process.
An empathetic, non-judgmental, patient-centered approach would lead to optimal smoking cessation care. Peer support groups have begun to emerge on social media, providing spaces for information, support, listening, and empathy, complementing traditional care. These peer support groups and the experiences of patients are now recognized as valuable and complementary to medical knowledge.
What is peer support?
A “peer supporter” is defined as someone who has personally experienced addiction and has recovered.
Due to their lived experience and in-depth understanding of addiction, they are able to offer support, advice, and empathetic understanding to others struggling with addiction.
A peer supporter can help another person suffering from addiction in various ways. They can share their own recovery journey, which can inspire and motivate the person in need.
By sharing their experience, the peer supporter can also provide practical advice on managing withdrawal symptoms, coping techniques, and available resources. Additionally, they can offer emotional support and empathetic listening, understanding what the other person is going through.
Peer support can be beneficial for any type of addiction. The principles of sharing experiences, empathetic listening, and mutual support can apply to various forms of addiction, whether substance-related or behavioral.
However, it is important to recognize that each person and addiction are unique, and peer support approaches may vary based on the specific needs of each individual.
Integrating peer support into the care process for smokers is essential in the fight against smoking.
From smoker to patient-expert
To legitimize their experience and enhance their contribution, Professor Michel Reynaud, a former psychiatrist and addiction specialist, and a key figure in the fight against addiction, launched the Patient-Expert Addiction certification. This certification opens new perspectives in care by recognizing and valuing the expertise of recovered smokers, thereby strengthening their role within the healthcare system.
Through this initiative, Patient-Experts in addiction can make a valuable contribution by sharing their experience and empathy to help others overcome the challenges of smoking cessation and/or other substance use.
Peer support at KLAVA in partnership with France Patient Expert Addictions
Starting in the fall of 2023, you can now receive support from Patient-Experts in Addiction during your smoking cessation journey by downloading Quitoxil®, available on app stores.
Available with one click from the app, addiction patient experts are available from 9 AM to 7 PM, without the need for an appointment:
1/ You choose your supporter.
2/ They will act as your “coach” in four steps: Listen, reassure, advise, and encourage you in your journey.
3/ Managing cravings is complex, but they understand its manifestations and mechanisms.
4/ They complement healthcare professionals by answering questions related to smoking cessation tools.
To benefit from this support, download Quitoxil® from the app stores today.
Sources:
- Certification of Patient-Expert Addictions (CPEA) The Certified Training Program, Version 7-5 March 2023
- External Evaluation Report FPEA – GHU Paris – December 2022
- A Patient-Expert Addiction Certification at the crossroads of experiential knowledge from recovered patients and the activities of healthcare providers: 2021 Link“
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