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The ICAN Stop Smoking Treatment alternative, a one-time medical treatment protocol
greatly minimizes or eliminates the patient's irresistible urges for nicotine. Treatment is provided on an outpatient
basis and takes approximately one hour. Our approach offers many advantages over traditional forms of nicotine
therapy. It is safe, easily integrated into the patient’s daily routine, results are achieved quickly,
and treatment is affordable. In addition to its effectiveness, another impressive feature of our protocol
is the use of the J-tip needle-free injection system.
Why Our Treatment Works
The physical effects of nicotine addiction do not occur in a very
specific part of the brain. Rather, nicotine addiction itself is believed to
occur in a specific part of the brain (the ventral segmental area
and nucleus accumbens), but the physical effects are mediated
primarily through the autonomic nervous systems and not the
brain. Nicotine is similar chemically to the neurotransmitter
acetylcholine (ACh). Because they are similar, both nicotine and
acetylcholine compete to occupy ACh nicotine receptors, but they
do not compete to occupy ACh muscarinic receptors. Through the
process known as tolerance, the body manufactures more
nicotine receptor sites to accommodate the increased demand.
When the level of nicotine in the blood drops below 5 milligrams,
there is not a sufficient supply of nicotine to occupy the increased
number of sites and physical withdrawal takes place.
At ICAN, we have developed the precise combination of
anticholinergics that allows patients to quit smoking without most
of the usual withdrawal symptoms.
Pre-appointment Process
Prior to receiving treatment by the ICAN anticholinergic block
method, patients who seek treatment are prescreened by
their physician for review of the ICAN Stop Smoking
treatment program. Patients are ineligible for treatment if they
have acute-angle glaucoma or are pregnant. Patients with
prostatic hypertrophy or cardiac arrhythmias must seek approval
from their physician prior to undergoing the ICAN treatment.
Patients that have a history of being prescribed multiple
antidepressants or are under the care of a pain management
specialist are not suitable candidates for the ICAN treatment.
Patients with the usual contraindications to anticholinergic drugs
are not treated.
Treatment
Patients receive a
medical evaluation (no blood work or urinalysis test)
along with an EKG and pulmonary lung function test.
Patients who appear to be suitable candidates for
nicotine addiction treatment are further checked for
possible adverse reaction through injection of an
intramuscular dose of a solution containing atropine and
scopolamine. Patients who have normal pupillary
constriction and offer no complaint of excessive
xerostomia are approved for treatment.
Suitable patients are given one or more subcutaneous
injections of the prescribed anticholinergic drugs behind
the auricular areas with a J-Tip needle-free injection
device. The precise composition of the anticholinergic
solution may be tailored to the requirements of an
individual patient. For patients who in prior attempts to
cease smoking, have experienced or indicated a feeling of
greater than normal irritability, nervousness, lack of
concentration or gastrointestinal disturbances, the
amounts of anticholinergics can be increased to provide
greater relief against the craving for nicotine.
Post
Treatment
Immediately following treatment some patients will experience
side effects typical of anticholinergics, such as, xerostomia,
lightheadedness, or difficulty focusing. These effects usually
dissipate in 6 to 8 hours. Patient complaints of altered taste and
smell, however, can persist for approximately 24 hours.
Treated
patients are instructed not to drive for 12 hours or drink
alcohol after taking the treatment. They are instructed not
to consume any alcohol while taking follow up medication.
The ICAN treatment is only administered to patients who
have brought a friend or family member along to drive
them home after the treatment is administered.
Following treatment, patients who have experienced withdrawal
symptoms in previous attempts to break their nicotine addiction
should quickly note the absence of such symptoms. Nicotine is
eliminated in approximately three days, but the elimination of all
delayed nicotine withdrawal symptoms may require a period of
approximately two weeks, therefore patients are provided with a
Scopace patch and approximately two weeks of Donnatal.
At ICAN, we recognize that in addition to the physiological
aspect of a patient’s nicotine addiction, there is a significant
psychological aspect to the nicotine addiction as well. All of the patients
receiving the ICAN treatment are encouraged to recognize this
aspect of their nicotine addiction and engage in behavior modification to
assist them in overcoming this hurdle.
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