Hypnotherapy to Stop Smoking
No
matter how many other reasons why its hard to stop
smoking, Nicotine withdrawal is the most important. But
what if we could cut the withdrawal experience in half with
hypnotherapy?
Smokers have to deal with dual pressures when they quit. First come the symptoms of physical withdrawal, which last for a few days. Then they struggle with psychological withdrawal, a battle that can take much longer and is much harder to overcome.
Hypnotherapy can help smokers overcome their psychological addiction to cigarettes. Many former smokers struggle every day to stay off nicotine, but a successful hypnotherapy session can draw a line under withdrawal after the physical symptoms have ended. The long term commitment to stop smoking then becomes a much easier prospect.
Is Hypnotherapy effective?
"Hypnosis is the most effective way of giving up smoking, according to the largest ever scientific comparison of ways of breaking the habit."
This comes from a 1992 New Scientist survey, that combined the results of many previous studies, covering a total of 72,000 smokers! This unbiased study found Hypnotherapy to be three times as effective as Nicotine Replacement Therapy, and more effective than any other solution.
Some might balk at the cost of Hypnotherapy sessions, but the fact is that most users of nicotine patches try to quit up to 6 times before successfully stopping smoking. Hypnotherapy is faster, and in the long run will probably work out cheaper.
A further benefit is that Hypnotherapy has none of the side effects, such as rashes and other skin problems, that anti-smoking drugs can bring about.
How does Hypnotherapy work?
The exact mechanics of how hypnotherapy affects the brain are still unclear. From its origins as a cheap parlour trick and occasional medical therapy, hypnosis has become more widespread and publicly accepted, but still lacks a scientific consensus.
The most important thing to realise is that hypnotized patients do not lose their free will. This is crucial, because it means that a smoker has to want to quit - that urge can't be created by the hypnotherapist. All he can do is strengthen an existing feeling.
Although Hypnotherapy has been found to be extremely effective in helping people to stop smoking, many scientists still dispute the existence of Hypnotherapy.
They argue that many of the effects of Hypnotherapy can be explained away by other phenomena. Although they may have a point, this should not concern smokers, who should look instead at the remarkable successes that the technique has achieved.
What Hypnotherapy options are out there?
A series of sessions with a licensed and professional hypnotherapist is the ideal solution for wannabe quitters.
By getting a course of therapy that is tailored to you, you can work with your therapist and discuss any other issues that might be impeding your goal to stop smoking.
However, this option can be quite expensive, and is often not covered by health insurance. A cheaper alternative is to use one of the many "self help" CDs that claim to use hypnotherapy techniques. Typically they will be structured in a series of 30 minute sessions, that will require you to set aside time just as you would for a therapist.
So which of these courses will suit you the best? There's no simple answer to that questions. With a qualified hypnotherapist and a structure similar to that of a 'real life' session, most of the CDs on the market can be very useful.
Here are a few names to start you off. The great thing about these courses is that they are cheap, so its relatively easy to switch between them.
The Non-Smokers Edge
A 7 CD set from Dr Randy Gilchrist, a Doctor of Psychology and certified hypnotherapist.
Forever Smoke Free!
A 3 CD course from licensed hypnotherapist Trevor Scott. This course is recommended by a number of celebrity users.
Self-Hypnosis: For the life you want
Tried and tested techniques developed by Dr Charles Henderson. This course requires a little more effort but is still aimed at the layman. No technical knowledge required.