Stop Smoking - Without Weight Gain
“Hypnosis is the most effective method to stop smoking according to the largest ever scientific comparison of ways of breaking the habit”
New Scientist, volume 136, issue 1845
The Best Way to Stop Smoking
Researchers from the University of Iowa carried out an overview of more than 600 studies (involving in total almost 72,000 people) in order to ascertain the most effective smoking cessation methods. The results, published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, concluded that hypnosis was “many times more effective than Nicotine Replacement Therapy” (such as gum, patches, lozenges, nasal sprays and inhalers) for smoking cessation. An 85% success rate after one session was reported; other “first attempt” success rates are acupuncture – 25%, nicotine gum (which also has the downside of side effects) – 11%, and nicotine patches (also with side effects) – 13%. On average, those wanting to quit smoking made an average of six attempts with nicotine replacement therapy before being successful.
“Individually Tailored Treatment”
Before starting to treat you, I will ask you to fill in a questionnaire about smoking cessation. The information which this gives will determine which particular hypnosis techniques will best help you to achieve your personal goals. Everyone’s smoking habit is slightly different, and knowing which particular events trigger you personally to light up helps greatly in working out how to make you stop smoking. I will also give you practical tips on how to retain your motivation after leaving the consultation room, including self-hypnosis.
How Many Sessions?
Whilst hypnosis can effectively help you to quit smoking in one session, if you feel more comfortable with two then the treatment can be divided up into separate sessions. My own preference is to deal with this particular issue in two sessions as statistically this has been shown to give even better results. The charge for the treatment however will be the same. However you chose to proceed, I am available for support by telephone, either in between sessions and after the treatment has concluded.
Do You Really Want to Stop Smoking Now?
Motivation is of paramount important when you want to quit smoking. In all cases where I am contacted by someone wishing to stop smoking, I carry out a free initial telephone conversation to ensure that you really do wish to give up, and give up right now; if you only want to stop smoking because someone else is pressurizing you to do so, or if you are trying to stop at a time of unusual stress or difficulty in your life, you are less likely to succeed. I may ask you to keep a “smoking diary” – this will help you to obtain a clearer picture of when and why you smoke, and what effects smoking has on you; it may also determine any underlying problems which are contributing to your desire for a cigarette. In such cases, dealing with these underlying problems will not only allow you to be happier, relaxed and more self confident, which will of course be a great help in your aim to quit smoking.
No Weight Gain
There is a huge amount of information available about the health problems, financial cost and other difficulties caused by smoking – they are not repeated here but can, if you wish, form part of the hypnosis you undergo. The aspects of smoking, and how to stop smoking, which we concentrate on in the sessions is however up to you, and will depend on what you have told me about your own personal reasons for smoking and for wanting to give up. The treatment is individual to you and will be tailored specifically for your needs. If you are worried, as many people are, about putting on weight as a result of having quit smoking, then hypnotherapy can include components to specifically avoid this. This has been tried and tested many times, and has been extremely effective.
