Quitting a smoking habit can be intensely challenging for some. Many attempt to quit and then fall back into the dangerous habit. Because those who attempt to quit are often so determined to fight the addiction, they are often willing to try a bevy of ideas. This is a great way to approach the task as what may work wonderfully for one, may not work at all for another. Some methods people try, but are certainly not limited to are:
- Nicotine Patches
- Nicotine Gum
- Counseling
- Prescription Medications
- Behavior Modification Techniques
- Hypnosis
If you have tried all that medical and mental health sciences has to offer and failed, your doctor may suggest you try hypnosis to quit smoking.
What is Hypnosis?
The word itself is defined by being an altered state of consciousness or awareness where the individual under hypnosis appears to be in a trance or sleep state. Hypnosis is commonly used in the treatment of a variety of physiological and physical problems. It is currently utilized in the treatment of pain control, speech disorders, weight issues and addiction problems. While there is certainly general debate about how it works, there is certainly statistical information that shows that for some, it does indeed work, and very well.
Hypnosis to Quit Smoking
The basic principle of hypnosis treatment for addiction is to bring those unhealthy thoughts to the surface and to replace them with more positive thoughts that encourage the smoker to cease leaning on something so dangerous to one’s health. Patients may be asked, under hypnosis, to share what they know that the unpleasant outcomes of smoking could be. The idea is to make the patient understand the three critical principles of quitting.
- Smoking poisons the human body
- The body is needed to live
- Protect your body to the extent that you would prefer to live
In many cases, a hypnotherapist will also teach the individual the art of self-hypnosis. This type of therapy can include everything from audio, video and even journaling therapy. There are even hypnosis sessions to quit smoking free online sessions available on YouTube. Check out part one of this smoking cessation video.
Does Hypnosis for Smoking Cessation Work?
There is no doubt that hypnosis itself, in general, doesn’t work for everyone. It actually works for about a quarter of the population. In addition, for those who are hypnotizable, the level or intensity of hypnosis can vary. There have been mixed results in studies on this basic principle of hypnotherapy for smoking cessation, as well as for how long it takes to work for those it is a viable option for. A study by the Journal of Dental Education determined that it was possibly an effective treatment. However, the popular cancer institute’s of America still say that it is not supported as an effective method to quit.
The truth probably lies in the variety of stories of those who have used this method to quit smoking. Some have reported that just after a few sessions, they were ‘turned off’ of the idea. Simply did not want to smoke any longer, and many of those reported that this had worked for them indefinitely. While still others reported similar immediate results, but having had relapsed during high stress moments and fell back into the smoking habit once again.
For this reason, most hypnotherapists will suggest to their patients that it is critical to continue with self-treatment, even once they consider themselves cured. Just as with any other physically and psychologically addictive drug, you may need to stay on top of cessation permanently to have the life-long results you desire. It is important to be ultra-aware when you are dealing with stressful moments and make sure you turn back to smoking cessation therapies before you turn back to a smoke. Self-awareness will always help.
Certainly science may not show great favor towards the benefits of hypnosis for quitting smoking, however, that may be mostly due to the fact that only a portion of the population is even able to be hypnotized. For those who are struggling with smoking cessation, usually it is worth it to try just about any available help. Smokers have a 25% chance of having successful results, short and long term, using hypnosis to quit smoking. You may also want to ask your therapist if hypnosis should or could be used in conjunction with other quit smoking methods such as patches or medications to help provide a boost for those who are having a very difficult time quitting.
My name is Nathan Green and one of my missions in life is to help smokers quit. I quit almost 5 years ago and hope to share my experiences, tips and insight to help you or your loved one quit as well!
The truth probably lies in the variety of stories of those who have used this method to quit smoking. Some have reported that just after a few sessions, they were ‘turned off’ of the idea. Simply did not want to smoke any longer, and many of those reported that this had worked for them indefinitely. While still others reported similar immediate results, but having had relapsed during high stress moments and fell back into the smoking habit once again.
For this reason, most hypnotherapists will suggest to their patients that it is critical to continue with self-treatment, even once they consider themselves cured. Just as with any other physically and psychologically addictive drug, you may need to stay on top of cessation permanently to have the life-long results you desire. It is important to be ultra-aware when you are dealing with stressful moments and make sure you turn back to smoking cessation therapies before you turn back to a smoke. Self-awareness will always help.
Certainly science may not show great favor towards the benefits of hypnosis for quitting smoking, however, that may be mostly due to the fact that only a portion of the population is even able to be hypnotized. For those who are struggling with smoking cessation, usually it is worth it to try just about any available help. Smokers have a 25% chance of having successful results, short and long term, using hypnosis to quit smoking. You may also want to ask your therapist if hypnosis should or could be used in conjunction with other quit smoking methods such as patches or medications to help provide a boost for those who are having a very difficult time quitting.