XX SITAB Congress in Rimini and innovative activities: psychodrama and laughter yoga workshops, “Cervelli e stupefacenti” exhibition, “Pro-fumo di mare” project| Tabaccologia

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The 20th National Congress of the Italian Society of Tobaccology (SITAB) addressed important topics in tobacco control and clinical practice and, for the first time, also tackled entirely new themes, offering participants the opportunity to reflect on “change.” The concept that a smoker who wants to quit must “change his/her lifestyle” is a fundamental concept, yet one that is seldom given due consideration. Likewise, not enough attention is paid to the health of healthcare providers themselves, who – if they are to effectively support smokers through the process of change – must not only receive help with case supervision but also feel motivated and supported. The bold proposal of this SITAB Congress was to introduce not well-known techniques and provide new experiences aimed at encouraging change in the way practitioners engage with patients, understand emerging trends, and keep up with a rapidly evolving world. Thus, the program included interactive workshop activities such as psychodrama and laughter yoga, held respectively on October 17 and 18, 2024. These sessions allowed participants to explore innovative approaches to addressing the topic of addiction. Additionally, optional activities were organized for the following day, Saturday, October 19, 2024, including the iconographic exhibition “Cervelli e stupefacenti” (brains and drugs) and the project “Pro-fumo di mare” (per-fume of sea). The exhibition offered a historical overview illustrating how drugs substances have accompanied and influenced human history and life. The “Pro-fumo di mare” project, launched in Rimini, proposed a sailing trip, which unfortunately could not take place due to poor weather conditions. However, its aims are outlined here. This initiative, developed alongside “Goletta Verde” (green goletta) and involving patients from the “Cento Fiori” Therapeutic Community in Vallecchio, has been successfully tested for years with smokers. It represents a concrete proposal to replace one pleasure – smoking – with another – sailing. The initiative uses the “sailing boat” as a tool where the crew experiences meaningful moments in small spaces while confronting the sea. It aims to foster physical, psychological, and social rehabilitation, helping participants break away from the monotony of daily life and overcome the anxiety of being without substances (including nicotine) that bring comfort, by working on themselves and through interaction with others. The sailing experience allows each crew member to feel essential and part of a team where everyone is indispensable – for safety and collective enjoyment!

The following are brief notes on the objectives and experiences shared through the organized initiatives.

The “psychodrama” workshop in the treatment of tobacco addiction

Psychodrama (from psyche = soul and drama = action) is a form of experiential psychotherapy developed by psychiatrist Jacob Levi Moreno, in which guided role-play is used to gain insights and work on personal and interpersonal issues and possible solutions [1-3]. Congress participants explored this method by processing personal emotions and experiences in a group setting, where one participant assumed the role of protagonist and agreed to work through personal experiences and conflicts with the help of the group. In doing so, the protagonist was able to relive the event, gaining a deeper understanding of it and restructuring the complex of emotions, beliefs, and conflicts associated with it. Other group members benefited through identification with the protagonist and reflection on their shared experiences. Psychodrama, when used in training for professionals involved in health promotion, is particularly useful in the context of addictions, as it helps reprocess personal experiences, increases internal control and motivation, and supports relapse prevention.

The “laughter yoga” workshop in the treatment of tobacco addiction

Laughter Yoga was created in 1995 by Indian physician Dr. Madan Kataria, based on his in-depth studies on the benefits of laughter within the field of psycho-neuro-endocrine-immunology. It is named this way because it combines laughter exercises, childlike playfulness, and ancient yogic breathing techniques. Recent scientific literature has published several systematic reviews and meta-analyses on laughter-inducing therapies [4,5]; for instance, “simulated” (non-humorous) laughter appears to have a more positive effect on depression and anxiety than “spontaneous” (humorous) laughter. Laughter-inducing therapies are particularly suitable in group settings due to the dynamics and stimuli they generate. Participants in the 20th SITAB Congress had the opportunity to experience these dynamics and their immediate effects – namely, increased oxygenation and consequent energy. In fact, one of the core concepts of Laughter Yoga is that more laughter equals more oxygen, which is essential for life and a catalyst for the body’s biological energy. Laughter helps produce longer exhalations, clearing the lungs of residual air and enriching the blood with oxygen. Laughter Yoga appears to offer neuroendocrine and biophysiological benefits, with positive outcomes on both psychological and relational aspects.

Exhibition “Cervelli e stupefacenti” (Brains and drugs)

At the Luigi Tonini City Museum, the exhibition titled “Cervelli e stupefacenti” was set up, showcasing 150 images that demonstrate how substances – whether legal or illegal – have always accompanied human history through literature, art, music, cinema, and comics. The initiative was promoted by the “Pathological Addictions Service” of the Rimini Local Health Authority (Municipality of Rimini), and the local police, in collaboration with the “Nuovo Villaggio del Fanciullo” Foundation of Ravenna. The visit, organized for participants of the 20th SITAB Congress, was personally guided by Dr. Edo Polidori, an expert in addiction and prevention. He explained how communication around these topics has changed significantly over time (also in relation to different historical and cultural contexts), and how professionals should approach individuals who use substances with openness and without judgment. In fact, to facilitate and support smokers in their change process, professionals must avoid placing blame, instead accepting that smokers have made poor choices (which is relatively easy to do when young) and committed mistakes. The exhibition, as on previous occasions [6-8], aimed to introduce professionals to a new way of communicating about the world of drugs, one that seeks to overcome stigma and prejudice, promote active listening, and stimulate critical and conscious reflection – tools that can help support smokers on their journey toward change.

References

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