Enhanced Courage to Quit for Smoking Cessation

This trial aims to identify the barriers smokers encounter when trying to quit and to test a community-informed smoking cessation program called Enhanced Courage to Quit. The treatment employs cognitive behavioral and motivational strategies to assist individuals in stopping smoking. It targets Chicago residents who smoke at least one cigarette daily and wish to quit. Participants will attend sessions and complete surveys about their smoking habits and quit attempts. As an unphased trial, this study allows participants to contribute to developing a potentially impactful smoking cessation program.

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on smoking cessation and does not mention other medications.

Research has shown that the "Courage to Quit" program, which forms the basis of the "Enhanced Courage to Quit" treatment, has been safe in the past. In one study, participants who completed the program smoked 30% fewer cigarettes daily. This indicates that the program is effective for many and easy to manage.

The treatment employs methods that alter thought patterns and boost motivation to quit smoking. These methods are generally safe and focus on cognitive changes and motivation enhancement. No reports of serious side effects have emerged, making them a safe option for those aiming to quit smoking.

Enhanced Courage to Quit is unique because it combines cognitive behavioral and motivational strategies specifically tailored to community needs. Unlike standard treatments like nicotine replacement therapies or medications such as varenicline, this approach modifies traditional smoking cessation programs to better fit the cultural and social contexts of participants. Researchers are excited about this treatment because it has the potential to improve engagement and quitting success by addressing the specific barriers and motivations of different communities, making it a more personalized and potentially more effective option.

Studies have shown that joining a structured program to quit smoking is more effective than attempting to quit independently, which succeeds only 3%-5% of the time. The Enhanced Courage to Quit program, which participants in this trial will experience, follows a similar approach and has helped participants reduce their daily cigarette use by an average of 30%. This program employs strategies to help individuals change their smoking habits. Research indicates that these proven methods can increase the chances of successfully quitting smoking.¹²⁶⁷⁸