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Kelly Lewis, Owner of Alpha Lifestyle Center of Birmingham, is a Certified Tobacco Training Specialist.

What is a CTTS?
Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialists are specially trained to provide treatment for individuals seeking to stop smoking or stop using tobacco.

A Tobacco Treatment Specialist will generally be found in a clinical setting, such as a hospital. A Tobacco Treatment Specialist can help patients manage their feelings about their tobacco use. If or when appropriate, a TTS will help develop an individualized treatment plan for quitting smoking.

Course description
The Certification Tobacco Treatment Specialist Program at Mayo Clinic is an intensive, five-day course.  The course focuses on the skills needed to effectively treat tobacco dependence. Program faculty includes Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center physicians, psychologists and counseling staff.

Why become a TTS?
Alpha Lifestyle Center is committed to supporting our customers. The CTTS training and education at Mayo Clinic is proof of this commitment. This addition to our program will further support our customers who want to use laser therapy to quit smoking.

How will Alpha Lifestyle Center use this training?
The role of a Tobacco Treatment Specialist is to “develop individualized treatment plans using comprehensive, evidence-based assessments and treatment strategies.” Laser therapy is not an “evidence-based” approach as defined by the medical community. It is alternative.

Traditionally, a TTS will make a recommendation to a patient which will usually include a combination of medications (Varenicline or Bupropion) and Nicotine Replacement Therapies (patch, gum, inhaler, lozenge).

Customers at Alpha Lifestyle Center have already made the decision to quit. The decision about what method (laser therapy) has also been made. Here, a TTS can apply the skills acquired at Mayo Clinic to help customers better manage the experience of quitting.

1) Many customers come to Alpha discouraged after trying everything to quit smoking. A Tobacco Treatment Specialist can review past quit methods with the customer. The conversation could identify barriers to past success. Improper prescribing, dosing or use can lead to side effects and problems with efficacy. Once identified, these issues can improve a customers’ confidence in their ability to quit.

2) Motivational Interviewing is a counseling technique. A Tobacco Treatment Specialist at Alpha Lifestyle Center of Birmingham can use this technique to engage a customer about the importance of quitting smoking. This can also have a positive effect on the outcome.

3) A TTS can help an individual identify relapse prevention techniques. Relapse prevention techniques can be used during a relapse crisis (any situation in which the temptation to smoke occurs).

4) Tobacco Treatment Specialists are uniquely trained to support tobacco users. Alpha Lifestyle Center of Birmingham uses this training proudly and responsibly.  We believe it enhances the overall customer experience.