Smoking cessation and relapse prevention system

Abstract

A computer-based system for monitoring and improving a user's compliance with a smoking cessation and relapse prevention program by providing the user with multiple forms of feedback designed to encourage adherence to the program. The system “calls” the user on the telephone at the end of each day and prompts the user to input the number of cigarettes smoked that day. The system accepts and stores the input and calculates whether the user is achieving their program goal (either a zero-cigarette goal, or a reduced-smoking goal under a step-down program), and gives positive or negative feedback based on whether the user is meeting their program goals.

1 . A method for monitoring and improving a user's compliance with a smoking cessation and relapse prevention program, the method comprising the steps of:
 a computer automatically contacting the user telephonicallyat a pre set time of day and requesting the user to input into the computer a number of cigarettes smoked by the user that day;   the user inputting into the computer system a numerical response representing the number of cigarettes smoked by the user that day;   the computer comparing the numerical response to a user's target maximum number of cigarettes allowed that day and calculating whether or not the user is in compliance for that day; and   the computer determining a compliance status level for the user and providing the user with feedback based on the compliance status level.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the compliance status level is either ‘In Good Standing’ or ‘On Alert’. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein an initial compliance status level for a user is “In  2   0  Good Standing”. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein a user having an “In Good Standing” compliance status level will continue to have that status level as long as the user is in compliance. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein a user having an “In Good Standing” compliance status level will have their compliance status level changed to “On Alert” if the user is not in compliance on a particular day. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the user having a compliance status level of “On Alert” will continue to have that status level until the computer determines that the user has been in compliance for a predetermined number of consecutive days. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the predetermined number of consecutive days is three. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6  comprising the further step of:
 the computer initiating an intervention subroutine when a user has a compliance status level of “On Alert” and the computer has calculated that the user is not in compliance.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the intervention subroutine comprises transferring the user to a help line. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the help line provides the user with access to a smoking-cessation counselor. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising, prior to the contacting step, a one-time user initialization step of:
 inputting into the computer identification data, a number of cigarettes currently smoked per day, and a time to be contacted each day.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the identification data includes the user's name and telephone number. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein inputting “zero” as the number of cigarettes currently smoked per day causes the computer to assign a value of zero to the user's target maximum number of cigarettes allowed each day for the duration of the smoking cessation program. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein inputting a positive number as the number of cigarettes currently smoked per day causes the computer to generate a smoking step down program in which the target maximum number of cigarettes allowed each day is reduced each day until it reaches zero. 
   
   
       15 . A computer-based system for monitoring and improving a user's compliance with a smoking cessation and relapse prevention program, the system comprising:
 a computer having means for receiving and storing personal information about the user, including the user's name, telephone number, daily contact time and current number of cigarettes smoked per day; means for calculating a user's smoking reduction schedule and smoke free date; means for automatically and remotely contacting the user at the daily contact time and making a smoking behavior inquiry including asking the user the number of cigarettes smoked that day; means for receiving and storing a user's responses; processing means for assigning the user a compliance status level based on the user's responses; and means for generating and delivering feedback to the user based on the user's compliance status and responses; and   remote means by which the user can receive from the computer the smoking behavior inquiry, input to the computer a number of cigarettes smoked since the previous daily contact time, and receive from the computer a feedback message.   
   
   
       16 . A method for monitoring and improving a user's compliance with a substance use cessation and relapse prevention program, the method comprising the steps of:
 a computer automatically contacting the user telephonicallyat a preset time and requesting the user to input into the computer a number of times the user used the substance that day;   the user inputting into the computer system a numerical response representing the number of times the user used the substance that day;   the computer comparing the numerical response to a user's target maximum number of times the substance may be used that day and calculating whether or not the user is in compliance for that day; and   the computer determining a compliance status level for the user and providing the user with feedback based on the compliance status level.