Making Healthy Changes That Stick: Part II

In follow up to last week’s post on Making Healthy Changes Part I, this week we focus on specific habits you may want to change and have stick.

Medications: One of the most important things for people with chronic conditions that require medications, such as diabetes, is to consistently take them. Since between 20 and 25 percent of Americans don’t adhere to their medication regiment, this is a serious problem. Some things to try:
• Contact your condition specific organization (e.g. American Diabetes Association) and ask them for their “tip sheets” or other resources to help you stick to your meds.

• Financial concerns are very real, so talk to your medical provider if this is impacting your ability to adhere to your treatment. Most states offer some type of program, and you can also check out some of these links:
- Prescription Assistance Program
- Free Medicine Program
- Needy Meds
- Rx Assist
- Together Rx Access
- Tricare Senior Pharmacy For uniformed services beneficiaries 65 years of age or older.

• If you are having side effects, talk to your provider about switching treatments and/or contact the condition specific organization about strategies that might help.

• Join a support group so that you can learn strategies to help you and so you can help others.

Smoking: While I know a man that stopped smoking with the one thought, “why should someone make money off of killing me,” this is generally not the way for most people. In the US, each state has its own tobacco control program, which offers a variety of free ways to quit smoking. Go to the Centers for Disease Control for links to your state’s program. Since I live in Vermont, check out the VT Quit Network.

Weight Loss: According to US News, the best diet plan is Weight Watchers. There are now programs available for men. Many hospitals and health centers offer Weight Watcher groups, as well as programs like TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly).

If you can afford it, some people do very well by going to a weight loss retreat, such Fox Run.

Talk to your provider and/or condition specific group about weight loss. Many health centers and hospitals offer free programs for weight loss and nutrition based on condition.

Alcohol and Drug Dependence: Twelve step programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are free and available just about everywhere. For many this is considered “the gold standard.” However, there are other types of programs you can try:

• SMART Recovery Self-empowering addiction recovery support group. Our participants learn tools for addiction recovery based on the latest scientific research and participate in a worldwide community, which includes free, self-empowering, science-based mutual help groups.

• Moderation Management: This is not an abstinence based program and is designed for those who want to reduce their drinking and make other positive lifestyle changes.

• Medications: There are medications that can help with alcohol abuse and dependence (Disulfiram, Naltrexone and Acamprosate) as well for opioids (methadone, burprenorphine and naltrexone). These are prescription medications, so you will need to work with a licensed physician and take regular tests, sometimes weekly.

• Women for Sobriety

• Residential treatment can also be very effective. Therapeutic communities, where a person stays for 6 to 12 months, or even longer, are In general, drug-free residential settings that use a hierarchical model with treatment stages that reflect increased levels of personal and social responsibility. Peer influence, mediated through a variety of group processes, is used to help individuals learn and assimilate social norms and develop more effective social skills. http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/therapeutic-community/what-therapeutic-community Learn more about Treatment Communities of America.