Dear Chris,
My wife and I really want to quit smoking. We don’t want the monetary or health cost anymore. We want to stop putting this poison in our bodies. She’s diabetic and stressed about eating more when she quits. I have been smoking for 31 years and am hesitant about the detoxing and stress from trying to quit. We have talked to our doctor about the Patch and she said Hypnosis may be helpful as well. We want to be fully prepared and do it the right way permanently. Can you give some input on this?
Calling it Quits
Dear Calling,
My personal approach is to use whatever it takes to quit for good – with as little stress as possible and the prevention of unhealthy cravings.
Consider that everything people do is to gain pleasure or avoid pain. Cigarettes can be a smoker’s best friend, usually for decades. Cigarettes are there for them when they are stressed, when they wake up, go to bed, when they need a break, etc. They become psychologically and physically addicted.
It’s important to associate cigarettes with pain or negative feelings, and find other things to replace smoking with, instead of just ripping this coping mechanism out of your life. Hypnosis has been proven to help with both of those, and has been established as having one of the highest success rates for smoking cessation. Doctors and health care practitioners often refer smokers to me for Hypnosis. It’s safe, low cost and has no negative side effects.
Research shows that a significant percentage of people stop smoking permanently with just a few Hypnosis sessions. Some studies show it’s more effective to use both Hypnosis and a Nicotine Patch; and either choice has a higher rate of success than going “cold turkey”.
Again, it depends on the individual, but most of my smoking cessation clients had already tried and failed with the “cold turkey” method, and experienced unnecessary stress with it.
Because I have seen so much success with it over the years, my “double-barrel” methods are Coaching, Hypnosis and often Neurolingistic Programming (NLP) techniques for better success, less stress and no cravings. This is often done in two sessions, only with serious clients. I won’t waste someone’s time or money if they aren’t ready to quit, as with Hypnosis, it’s impossible to do anything against your will.
You can check out my powerful smoking cessation program here:
That being said, here are some things to think about for whatever method you decide on:
Remove all cigarettes, signs and scents of smoking in your home, automobile and workplace. Placing a bowl of white vinegar in a former smoking area helps absorb odors. Rearrange your previous favorite smoking areas. These preparations can help avoid triggers and gives you a fresh start.
Figure out your social situation – yes it is necessary. If you used to take breaks or hang out with people who smoke, put a stop to it. Don’t frequent those areas or ask them to smoke outside or somewhere else. Again, less triggers, less temptation.
Drink plenty of water and get plenty of quality sleep during the detox process, and it will go smoother.
Find a replacement for your first cigarette of the day, since that’s how you start out your daily regimen. Some of my clients have decided to stretch, exercise, do yoga, go for a walk, brush their teeth, etc.
You’ll have to figure out how to cope with stressors that come up, and make a plan for anticipated triggers.
You can temporarily replace the hand-to-mouth or oral habit with stress balls, toothpicks, straws, gum or sugar-free suckers or candy.
Ask for and accept support and encouragement from those who you are certain will be supportive of your goal to become a non-smoker.
