Success Rates
To date, January 11, 2010, 295 groups have been concluded. The average group size is 7 clients per (completed) program. Of 2440 initial registrants, a total of 2136 attendees (88%) finished the program. Of the 2136, 1387 (65%) were females, 749 (35%) were males, with an age range from 15-88, average age 47.
Based on self-report, the end of group success rate (295 groups) is 76%, with a range from 30 to 100%. At the end of 3 months, (289 groups), the success rate is 56%, with a range from 0 to 100%. At the end of one year (280 groups), the success rate is 49%, with a range from 0 to 100%.
Success Stories
“Carol was brought to Chicago Shakespeare Theater in January 2006 as part of an overall wellness program to assist employees who smoked cigarettes with quitting the habit. I entered the first of eight sessions with resistance, thinking I would never quit smoking and in one hour was convinced I could do it. Two weeks later, as part of the program, I quit smoking and have not had one puff of a cigarette in 2 and a half years. Quitting smoking was one of the most difficult tasks that I have accomplished in my life and I owe a great part of my success to Carol. Her methods, her patience, her manners and her compassion all played a role. I am not sure that I would have taken any of the process seriously if it had been someone else. If you work for a company who is looking to implement a smoking cessation program, I highly recommend Carol. If you are not in the Chicago area, I recommend that you still be in touch with Carol to see if she has a network of colleagues elsewhere. Brilliant times 10.” – Jasen Woehrle
“I was a pack a day smoker for 40+ years. In 2001 I began to reduce my cigarette intake by not smoking in the house or car. By 2008 I smoked between 3-5 cigarettes a day. Those cigarettes were important to me because that was how I relaxed at the end of a hectic day. To give those up would have taken a act of Congress. Carol Southard’s Cessation Program was that act of Congress! I have been smoke free for almost 3 months with no discomfort. Thanks Carol!” — Sandy L Nash
“I successfully quit with the help of Carol’s group. Carol’s enthusiasm and extraordinary accessibility helped me make it through the rough spots. She is a personal cheerleader for quitting with scientific knowledge to back it up. She demonstrates great commitment to her mission–helping people make the decision to quit and providing them the tools to do so successfully and for the long term.” — Brian Muir
“My fiancee and her mother conspired together to trick me into coming to see Carol Southard, to basically intervene in my life as a 35 year, two pack a day, unfiltered Camel regular smoker. Carol was the absolute pivotal point regarding my smoking cessation. By the end of the session I had agreed to set a date, three weeks in the future of that day to quit, cold, all forms of smoking (with the aid of Chantix). I am now almost 15 months totally smoke free………..! Carol returned any call, answered all my questions and concerns, and was “THE PIVOTAL FORCE”. In short, she was wonderful!!!” — Demetri Alexander
“At the time I found the program that Carol Southard heads up at Northwestern I was her “most senior” participant and proud to claim one of her success stories - I am now smoke-free, after attempting to quit the habit for many years. Carol’s commitment and dedication to each of her client’s success with this horrible, addictive habit is truly astounding and worth a “Gold Medal” in the Olympics of fighting for everyone’s health and our right to live in a “smoke-free” country. I am hopeful Carol will be acknowledged one day for her efforts in helping so many folks, like myself, in becoming successful with the “smoking” problem.” — Nancy Ehrman
“Having smoked forever, I was determined to quit. I also knew that I would need support and therefore I decided to attend Carol’s program. I found the program to be of great assistance and highly recommend same.”— Mary Ahrendt