Residential Quit Smoking Programs

In residential quit smoking programs, you actually live at the program site for the duration of the program - usually a week or so.  (If you're looking for info about other types of programs, you can also read about  quit smoking classes, where you attend sessions outside your home, and  home study programs, where you get program materials to use in the comfort of your own home.)

A residential quit smoking program is likely to be the least convenient, since you actually check into a facility for a period of time in order to quit smoking, and they are also the most expensive, ranging from around $3500 to $5000+.  However, for some people the intensity of a full-time, week-long quit smoking intervention is just what they need to give them the jump start they need to be successful. 

A residential program should be all-inclusive, dealing with physical nicotine addiction issues as well as psychological dependence issues.  Importantly, this type of program removes you from your regular environment while you quit, which can make it easier initially.  However, going back to your regular routine after learning to quit in a controlled environment can be pretty challenging.  For this reason, for a residential program to be effective, it must include techniques designed to help eliminate smoking triggers in your regular environment so you can go back to your normal life without also going back to smoking.  Generally this means a residential program should include lots of opportunities for follow-up help and support after the 'residential' portion of the program is over.

Residential Quit Smoking Programs in the US

I was able to find information about three dedicated residential quit smoking programs in the U.S., although there may be more.  There are several commonalities, and also some differences between the three.  I spoke with representatives from each of the programs to get more information. 

The three programs I found were  St. Helena's Center for Health, the  Mayo Clinic, and  Hazelden's Next Step program. 

Effectiveness of Residential Quit Smoking Programs

Residential programs in general tend to be pretty effective.  The ones I was able to find quoted success rates in a similar range:  between about 45% - 65%.  This is about 10 times the success rate quitting cold turkey, and five times the increase studies have shown for using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or prescription medication for quitting.  (It's fair to note that most inpatient programs also use pharmacological techniques, including NRT or prescription medications as a part of their program.)

However, it's also worth noting that none of the residential programs offered any kind of a money-back guarantee.

How it Works

In all of the residential programs that  I looked at, the process is similar:  You arrive and check in on a specific day of the week.  Generally this is followed by some sort of assessment and/or group session, and then everyone discards their cigarettes.  For the next week or so, the days are filled with group sessions, lectures on various aspects of smoking, individual sessions to address specific issues related to smoking, exercise sessions, and usually some scheduled leisure activities.  Of course, there is no smoking on site, and off-site activities generally occur with the group.

This provides a very controlled environment that helps prevent 'slip-ups' during the week of the program.  Program participants generally leave with a plan for how to deal with situations back in their normal routines, information about local support groups such as nicotine anonymous, and contact information from the other group participants.

Compare Residential Quit Smoking Programs

Program	Location	Cost	Success Rate	Main Approach
Nicotine Addiction Program at St. Helena Center for Health	St. Helena, California	~$4,100 - $4,500	~65%	Holistic
Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center	Rochester, Minnesota	~$5,000	~45%	Cognitive-Behavioral
Hazeldon Next Step Smoking Cessation Retreat	Center City, Minnesota	~$3000 - $3700	no estimate	12-Step

 

Pros and Cons

What are the pros and cons of residential quit smoking programs? 

 Pros

• Intensive program, with generally high success rates over the long term

• Initial quitting done in an extremely supportive/controlled environment, so it may be easier

Cons

• Very expensive - up to $5,000 or even more

• May have to travel to get to one, adding to the overall expense

• Must take time off from work or other responsibilities to attend

• While initial quitting may be easier since you're in a controlled environment, going back to your 'old life' may be especially challenging because it will be your first exposure to many smoking triggers since you quit.

• No money-back guarantee

My Recommendations

The Mayo Clinic web page says, "Mayo Clinic Residential Treatment Program is for people who have tried EVERYTHING, and haven't been able to stop smoking."  I have to agree: I think that a residential quit smoking program is a last resort, for folks who have truly tried everything, and found nothing that has worked for them.  If that's you, and you have the time and the money to spend, then I would seriously consider a residential program. My favorites of the three are St. Helena's program, followed closely by the smoking cessation program at the Mayo Clinic. 

If it's not in your budget to spend that kind of money, or if you haven't yet exhausted all of the other options, then I would look at other, less expensive alternatives, such as  quit smoking classes or a good  home study program.   Another benefit to trying classes or home study programs is that unlike residential programs, classes and home study programs often come with a money-back guarantee, so there is less risk for you.

Residential Quit Smoking Program:
Hazelden's Next-Step Smoking Cessation Retreat

The Next Step residential quit smoking program is a product of the Hazelden Foundation, which is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1949 to treat drug and alcohol addictions.  They have recently added the Next Step Smoking Cessation Retreat, located in Center City, Minnesota, to their list of offerings.  Their website is here:  www.hazelden.org.

Approach

The Hazelden retreat is a one-week program that uses a 12-step, abstinence-based approach to 'nicotine recovery.'  The program includes one-on-one counseling, motivational speakers, group discussions, and relaxation techniques.  Massage, yoga, and acupuncture are also available on site to help deal with stress, and the program includes guidance on nutrition and fitness as well..  They prefer for participants to be completely nicotine-free when they leave, but will incorporate zyban or nicotine patches when necessary.

The 12-step approach is evident from their program objectives for participants, below: 

• Become detoxified and experience seven days of tobacco abstinence in a supportive atmosphere in preparation for continuing abstinence.

• Identify the addictive characteristics of tobacco use including specific ways in which they are powerless over the drug and examples of consequences they have experienced due to their use of tobacco.

• Describe the progression of their addiction to tobacco.

• Identify life areas needing to change in support of tobacco recovery.

• Identify alternative strategies, other than tobacco use, for coping with life stresses.

• Construct a plan for ongoing recovery and support.

Cost

The price for this program is a little lower than other residential quit smoking programs, which is to be expected since it is so new.  The exact cost ranges from about $3000 to $3700 depending on whether you choose a private or shared room. 

Effectiveness

The residential quit smoking program at Hazelden is relatively new, so no effectiveness-rates are available.  However, the overall success rate for their existing substance recovery programs is about 54% for 12 months.  If this rate holds true for the tobacco recovery program, it would be in the same range as other residential quit smoking programs.

Follow-up

After successfully completing the program, participants are referred to local Nicotine Anonymous groups for follow-up.

 

A Typical Day at Hazelden's Next Step Residential Quit Smoking Program

[excerpted from Next Step's website]

8 - 9 am - Breakfast with peers

9 - 10 am  - Acupuncture session

10 - 11 am - Yoga/relaxation

11 - 12 pm - Lectures on nicotine recovery

12 - 12:30 pm - Lunch with peers

12:30 - 1:30 pm - Free time

1:30 - 2:30 pm - Therapeutic group session

2:30 - 3:30 pm - Lecture on nicotine recovery

4:30 - 5:30 pm - Free time

5:30 - 6:15 pm - Dinner

6:15 - 6:45 pm - Group session/speaker

7:30 pm - Evening Free time

My Recommendations

While Hazelden appears to have a good record with substance recovery in general, their smoking cessation program is so new, it has no record of its own to stand on.  The 12-step abstinence-based approach may be comfortably familiar for people who've had a positive experience in Alcoholics Anonymous, but for others it may be a bit of a turn-off.

My top choice for a residential quit smoking program is St. Helena's in California, followed closely by the  Mayo program in Minnesota.  I'd give Hazelden's a little more time to establish their program procedures and success rates before I'd spend my money there.

If you feel that a residential program may be overkill for you at this time (or you simply don't have the time and money to invest right now), you could also consider one of the less expensive options such as quit smoking classes or  home study programs.

Residential Quit Smoking Program:
Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center

The Mayo Clinic program is an 8-day "inpatient" or residential quit smoking program located in Rochester, Minnesota.  It's been in operation since 1992.  This is not the oldest residential quit smoking program in the US (that would be  St. Helena's program), but Mayo Clinic probably has the widest name recognition, in part because of their reputation for excellence in medical research.  Their website is here:  www.mayoclinic.org/stop-smoking

Approach

The Mayo Clinic quit smoking program approach combines pharmacological interventions (nicotine replacement therapy and/or prescription medication) with cognitive behavioral and  stress management techniques.  Staff appear to be primarily made up of medical professionals, and the program occurs in a medical setting.  

Cost

The cost ranges from a little under $5000 to a little over $5000, and enrollment is limited to a maximum of ten patients at a time.  Costs vary within that range because aspects of the program, such as individual counseling sessions, are tailored to the needs of each individual.  The cost of the pharmacological interventions is not included.

Effectiveness

45% of the graduates from this program report being smoke free after a year. 

Follow-up

Follow-up to the program includes a series of phone calls, spaced out over a few weeks, depending on the needs of the patient.  Graduates of the program also leave with information about local support groups such as nicotine anonymous, and contact information from some of the other group members to rely on for support.

A Typical Day at Mayo Residential Quit Smoking Program

[excerpted from the Mayo website]

7:30 - Breakfast/Rounds with the Treatment Staff
9:00 - Group Session: Relapse Prevention
10:15 - Break
10:30 - Group Therapy
Noon - Lunch
1:00 - Group Session: Pharmacology of Nicotine Addiction
2:00 - Individual Counseling
4:00 - Group Session: Stress Management
5:00 - Dinner
6:30 - Group Exercise Session

My Recommendations

The Mayo Clinic program is staffed primarily with medical professionals, and takes place in a medical setting.  It is well established, having been in existence for more than 15 years, and is run by an organization with a stellar reputation, at least in the area of medical research..  My impression is that this is likely to be a well-run program, but with a bit of a 'medical' flavor to it.  If you're considering a residential quit smoking program and the medical approach suits you, this is the program to check out.

If you prefer a residential program with a less medical flavor to it, you may want to look at  St. Helena's program.

If you feel that a residential program may be overkill for you at this time (or you simply don't have the time and money to invest right now), consider one of the less expensive options such as  quit smoking classes or  home study programs.

Residential Quit Smoking Program:
Nicotine Addiction Program at St. Helena Center for Health

The Nicotine Addiction Program at St. Helena's Center for Health has been in existence since 1969, making it the most established residential quit smoking program in the U.S.  It is located in St. Helena, California, embedded in the middle of the beautiful wine-making region of Napa Valley, about 65 miles north of San Francisco.  Their website is here:  www.smokefreelife.com.

Approach

The St. Helena's staff describe their approach as 'holistic,' combining medical assessment and treatment with clinical counseling, exercise, relaxation, and nutrition management.  The program is headed by John E. Hodgkin, M.D., and other staff for the program include a clinical counselor, an exercise physiologist, and a nutritionist, among others.

The program is affiliated with the Adventist Hospital, so you get the advantages of a medical setting, but the accommodations are more hotel-like, including daily maid service. 

Cost

The exact cost ranges from about $4150 to $4650, depending on the room type you choose: private or shared, premium or deluxe.  This fee includes the accommodations, meals, medical assessment and lung function screening, exercise sessions, lectures, etc.  Prescription medications, NRT and other optional services such as extra visits with the physician, massages, etc., are not included in this cost. 

While none of the residential programs I talked to provide a money-back guarantee, this one does offer an 'alumni discount.'  If you are one of the 35% who does NOT manage to remain smoke-free, they allow alumni to repeat the program at a reduced cost.

Effectiveness

About 65% of the graduates from this program report being smoke free after a year. 

Follow-up

Program follow-up sounds relatively informal, and includes periodic phone calls initiated by staff to program graduates.  Graduates are also encouraged to call program staff as needed for follow-up help in the future. 

Besides phone calls, during the program participants develop an individualized 'tool kit' for dealing with the world after they leave.

A Typical Day at St. Helena's Residential Quit Smoking Program

[excerpted from St Helena's program information]

Sample Daily Schedule

(Varies slightly from day to day)

• Morning walk

• Healthy breakfast    

• Spiritual dimension (optional)    

• An enlightening lecture     

• Group discussion     

• Workout    

• Stress management     

• Nutritious lunch    

• Optional individual appointments      

• Pool class and water volleyball     

• Informative lecture    

• Supper     

• Lecture or recreational activity    

The week also includes:     

• A group picnic     

• Lunch and shopping in the Valley     

• An optional low-fat cooking class

 

My Recommendations

St. Helena's program is the most established residential quit smoking program in the country, and also claims the highest success rate: about 65% after 12 months.  The staff that I spoke to were friendly and professional, and the program is located in the beautiful Napa Valley.  If you have to travel to get to a program anyway, consider combining this program with some vacation time, and celebrate the rest of your smoke-free life by enjoying your first smoke-free vacation. 

If you feel that a residential program may be overkill for you at this time (or you simply don't have the time and money to invest right now), consider one of the less expensive options such as  quit smoking classes or  home study programs.