HOW HYPNOSIS WORKS TO HELP PEOPLE STOP SMOKING
Robin E. Jones, CCHt, CI
Founder, Hypnotherapy Center
Director, Academy of Hypnotherapy Certification Course
Chapter President: National Guild of Hypnotists
Hypnosis can be an astonishingly powerful tool for shifting a person into becoming a nonsmoker.
For some clients, the results are miraculous. They emerge from their hypnosis session permanently convinced in body, mind and emotions that they will never light up a cigarette again.
There is, however, a catch: the person must be fully willing to become a nonsmoker.
Sometimes a prospective hypnosis client asks, "Can you get me to quit smoking?"
My reply is, "No, sorry. I can't make you quit smoking but...if you've already made the decision to stop, what hypnosis can do is reinforce that choice, and make it much easier and more comfortable for you."
Unlike the old B-movies, a hypnotist has no special power of coercion. No one can be hypnotized to do something that goes against their will or belief system. For instance, no matter how deep a trance you enter, you could not be hypnotized into robbing a bank or quitting smoking!--unless you inwardly agreed that you wanted to do those things.
If you do not fully want to stop smoking, hypnosis will not make you quit. Even the greatest hypnotist on earth could not hypnotize you to do so. On the other hand, if you are absolutely determined to quit, hypnosis is extremely effective.
Why, then, does a person even need hypnosis?
Habits reside largely in the subconscious. Willpower alone can't reach the subconscious. Hypnosis can.
Who hasn't had the experience clenching their fists, berating themselves and using large amounts of energy trying to change a habit, whether it's smoking, overeating or some other negative pattern? Going "cold turkey" usually doesn't work, and it's painful and frustrating to boot. That is because we are only talking to the conscious mind which is only 10 percent of our mind, not the subconscious which makes up the other 90 percent.
For success, we must first determine that we fully want to change, and then we must speak to the subconscious--and get it to listen!
Hypnosis is highly effective because it addresses the subconscious. The results can be felt immediately.
Here are just a few of the many and marvelous benefits of hypnosis sessions for those who have made the choice to become nonsmokers:
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Hypnosis strengthens motivation and reinforces the positive goal of being a nonsmoker;
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Hypnosis helps to remove patterns of habit (e.g., Every time I talk on the phone, I light up);
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Hypnosis can lower and/or eliminate the level of desire for nicotine;
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Hypnosis assists in relieving and/or completely eliminating withdrawal symptoms;
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Hypnosis offers constructive and healthy relaxation methods to reduce stress;
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Hypnosis reinforces wellbeing and the positive feeling of success!
We are all composed of parts. We may have a part, for instance, who maintains professional appearnace and composure at work, while another part stands in frumpy clothes at home and gobbles and eats everything in sight trying to fill a void in their life.
Sometimes several parts of us are eager to quit smoking, while other parts are not yet ready. These parts control the subconscious. They allow suggestions with which they agree to get through, but filter out the unwanted suggestions.
When utilizing hypnosis to stop smoking, some people easily and completely, and permanently erase all desire to smoke almost immediately. While others have to get all "their parts" working together to finally kick the habit once and for all.
Some clients may have to do what I call homework. Although they inevitably find that their hypnosis session has reinforced their determination and that they are physically more comfortable than they would have been if they had tried to quit cold-turkey, they still need to be vigilant and put forth conscious effort to maintain their non-smoker status. It is apparent with such clients that not all parts of them were in agreement about quitting, and they may require additional sessions.
Occasionally a client has an inner agenda to continue smoking--not enough of his or her "parts" have consented to get rid of the habit. This may be unconscious on the client's part, and repeated sessions may be required. An option is to utilize hypnosis to uncover which parts are preventing the client from quitting. Even in these cases, hypnosis creates an atmosphere which makes it easier for the client to succeed in becoming a nonsmoker often within a few months of completing their program.
While some of my clients may elect to have multiple sessions, the average client requires only three hypnosis sessions for optimum success. The first session creates the opportunity to prepare to become a non-smoker and learn to go into a state of hypnosis. The second is the actual stop smoking session and the third a reinforcement follow-up and offers opportunities to become even more physically comfortable and to learn positive relaxation techniques. Some clients prefer the step down program which slows down the process with a gradual reduction leading up to becoming a non-smoker. Reinforcement cds are provided and may be played on a daily basis to remain stress-free and comfortable as a new non-smoker.
Hypnosis as an aid to becoming a nonsmoker is a powerful, safe and effective tool. It has no side effects beyond putting the money you used to spend on cigarettes back in your pocket, restoring health to your body, and allowing you to feel absolutely terrific!
I stopped smoking on Thursday, January 31, 2008 11:59:00 PM.
It has been 1 weeks, 6 days, 17 hours, 58 minutes and 7 seconds since I quit.
I have saved $ 888.17 by choosing not to smoke 4963 cigarettes.
More importantly, I saved 5 weeks, 2 days 21 hours 56 minutes of my life!
After You stop Smoking The Healing Begins...
When you quit smoking, the benefits begin within minutes of your last cigarette.
After 8 hrs
100%
Nicotine and Carbon Monoxide level reduce by half, oxygen levels return to normal
After 24 hrs
100%
Carbon Monoxide eliminated from the body. Lungs start to clear out mucus and debris.
After 48 hrs
100%
There is no nictotine left in the body. Ability to smell and taste greatly improved.
After 72 hrs
100%
Breathing becomes easier. Bronchial tubes begin to relax and energy levels increase.
After 2-12 wks
98%
Circulation improves, making walking and running a lot easier.
After 3-9 months
15%
Coughs, wheezing and breathing problems improve.
After 1 year
4%
Your excess risk of coronary heart disease is decreased to half that of a smoker after one year.
After 2 year
2%
Your chance of achieving long-term success with quitting tobacco increases significantly after two years.
After 5 years
1%
From 5 to 15 years after quitting tobacco, stroke risk is reduced to that of people who have never smoked.
After 10 years
0%
* Risk of lung cancer drops to as little as one-half that of continuing smokers
* Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas decreases
* Risk of ulcers decreases
After 15 years
0%
* Risk of coronary heart disease is now similar to that of people who have never smoked
* Risk of death returns to nearly the level of people who have never smoked
