Becoming
a Non-Smoker:
You Can Quit Smoking
For most people, the absolute worst way to attempt to deal
with a smoking habit is through the use of willpower. Willpower, like moods and emotions, fluctuates.
One day it's strong. The
next day may be a down day, and willpower fades.
It is usually neither consistent nor effective.
Among stop-smoking procedures there are countless methods, programs, substitute products, pills, chewing gum, self-help tapes, books, etc. Many are designed to help build up the personal power to resist or overcome the "addiction." Hypnotic strategies do not work at achieving the strength to resist. They are designed to eliminate the desire. Instead of giving up something that a person enjoys (a sacrifice), the individual’s goal is to be rid of something that isn’t wanted - a much more agreeable position mentally.
REASONS FOR SMOKING
There are two principle reasons for smoking:
Identification and Replacement. Identification
is the situation in which the smoker indulges in the habit because others whom
he or she admires do so - parents, peers, entertainment or sports figures, etc. Identification smoking is the most common and the easiest to
eliminate.
Replacement smoking occurs when the smoking is used to replace some deficit in life - lack of companionship, love, acceptance, self-esteem, security, independence, etc. - or to replace some pre-existing issue such as overeating, reaction anxiety or boredom, etc. Replacement smokers often derive sensual gratification from smoking - they enjoy touching or feeling the cigarettes, tapping the pack, seeing the flame of a lighter or the curling of the rising smoke, or the smell of the burning tobacco. Often the lighting of the cigarette (or cigar or pipe) in itself becomes a ritual. Replacement smoking is sometimes a true addition.
THE NATURE OF SMOKING
Since smoking is both physical and mental, success in
stop-smoking efforts must change not only the mental attitude, but also the
physical reaction. Through hypnosis
it is possible to change the use of a cigarette from pleasurable to
non-pleasurable. When this is
accomplished problems often related to the cessation of smoking tend to be
avoided; castor oil (or other bad tasting medicine) may serve as an example.
When a person gives up using castor oil there are no withdrawal
symptoms, and there is no need to compensate for the lack of the medicine
through overeating, sucking hard candies, etc.
In some cases a gradual reduction in the number of
cigarettes smoked proves successful. Of
many procedures available the hypnotist will select that which is most
appropriate for the individual client. In
many cases effective cessation of smoking can be achieved in a single session.
In other cases three, four or five sessions may be required.
Individual sessions have the advantage of being adjustable to deal with
the causes of the habit, the gratifications provided, the characteristics of the
client and similar matters not fitting group work.
It is important to determine just what personal need
smoking satisfies. Some smokers
seek to fill a need to nurture themselves - lessen loneliness or get a
“pick-up” at the start of or during the day.
Others feel smoking will relieve stress or provide moments of relaxation.
Still more feel cigarette smoking makes social contacts more comfortable.
The problem is that a habit adopted to meet a special need often proves
destructive, eliminating the need by destroying the smoker.
The risks entailed in smoking have been stressed and analyzed for years. Well known aversion techniques, when utilized in hypnosis applications, can produce dramatic results. Data on why, when and where smoking is indulged can reveal information helpful in planning stop-smoking program.
VISUALIZATION
One of the most powerful attributes of the human psyche is
the visualization ability. Many
Consulting Hypnotists, working with
many types of problems, program clients to accept
the belief that, “What the mind can conceive you can achieve!”
This concept is common in fields of meditation, guided imagery, positive
thinking, spiritual faith and others.
Hypnosis can help develop and focus the powers of
visualization. And since
visualization is frequently undeveloped in clients, and since it can be learned,
hypnosis can serve as a teaching modality.
In stop-smoking programs the ability to visualize one’s
self as a non-smoker, free from past effects of the habit, filled with new
health, energy and vitality, is a major asset.
Visualization enables the client to picture in the mind cigarettes as
unappealing, bad tasting, foul smelling and otherwise revolting.
Likewise it is possible to picture and otherwise sense clean breath,
healthy appearance, sensitive tastes.
Through visualization a smoker can perceive himself/herself
as looking healthier, more active, in better physical condition, with easier
breathing, stronger lungs and similar advantages. Through hypnosis senses of sight, touch, smell, hearing
and taste all can be enhanced and used to modify reactions as necessary to
achieve goals.
Once a smoker has become a non-smoker in a stop-smoking
program it is essential to reinforce the programming that led to the cessation
of the habit. Smoking habits are
acquired over a long period of time. Even
though the smoker may have ceased smoking, some of the habitual behaviors may
still be active. But like most activities,
if not used, it fades and disappears. The hypnotist will take measures to reinforce the
programming during the period required for the left over behaviors to disappear
completely, such as
teaching
the client self-hypnosis and special techniques that instantly eliminate any left
over cravings for smoking. Self-hypnosis
used regularly can help anyone achieve his or her goals and provides ample
evidence that “what the mind can conceive you can achieve!”
Remember, with only one session you can be smoke free forever! And No Drugs, Side Effects, Weight Gain or Long, Drawn Out Torture.
Wellness Hypno-Therapeutics, Green Bay/Oconto, WI
Call Now for an appointment or more information (920) 227-8186