The effects of nicotine addiction and cigarette habituation on individuals, their families and the broader community are major health and social issues that often require a multi-level treatment approach. It is to this end that Canberra Hypnotherapy Centre offers Hypnosis and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) for smoking cessation as an option for smokers that is grounded in both the science of addiction and, just as importantly, the behavioural aspects of nicotine addiction. The method we use to help people stop smoking combines hypnosis and neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), with only one 2.5 hour session required to quit forever. We offer private one-on-one appointments and also group sessions throughout the year.
Over the past 5 years we have seen a significant growth in clientele and a successful record in helping smokers quit. Notably, we have also seen an increase in referrals from GP's, hospitals, and drug and alcohol support groups. The success of hypnotherapy relies heavily on the skill and experience of the hypnotherapist. Our practitioner, Len Forbes, is very experienced and well known for his success in helping people overcome addiction. In the past 10 years Len has primarily focussed on working with smokers and has helped over 2000 people quit successfully.
It is quite normal to feel skeptical about hypnosis. If you would like to discuss any concerns or get more details about how treatment might help you we offer a free 1/2 hour phone consultation - just so that you can get a sense of whether or not you think it's the right way to go for you. If you'd like more information, or to book a session please call Maria on 0404 039177 or email info@canberrahypnotherapycentre.com.au. We also have clients who are happy to talk to you about their experience.
Research Supporting Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is gaining increasing recognition in terms of efficacy in an evidence based context. While once perhaps considered a practice on the fringes of medical treatment, the data of comparative success levels demonstrates that hypnotherapy is resulting in high success rates in smoking cessation. While statistics on success rates, of all types of cessation methodologies, vary considerably, more than two decades of studies are consistently showing that many patients quit successfully with hypnotherapy (see Eason, 2011; American College of Chest Physicians, 2007; Elkins GR, Rajab MH, 2004; O' Driscoll, M, 2000; Wald et al, 1992; Viswesvaran & Schmidt, 1992; Schmidt & Chockalingam, 1992).
Schmidt & Chockalingam, (1992), carried out the largest ever scientific comparison of ways of breaking the smoking habit. The study combined results of more than 600 studies of 72,000 people from America and Europe to compare various methods of quitting. The results, published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, clearly showed that hypnosis, to use the same terminology as the Quit counsellor, “was three times more effective than Nicontine Replacement Therapy”, and 15 times more effective than willpower. They concluded that overall, hypnosis is the most effective way of giving up smoking. It should be noted that many of the trials and studies have been brief sessions using standardised hypnosis techniques, and often take place in group sessions making it difficult to tailor to each individuals needs.
More advanced techniques, like those we use at Canberra Body Therapy and described by O'driscoll (2000), focus on one-on-one sessions and incorporate neuro-linguistic programming. This methodology is seeing even higher success rates. (see references at bottom of this page) .
Why do people find it so hard to quit smoking?
Everyone knows cigarettes are not good for them, and that they spend too much money on cigarettes. So, why do people continue to smoke, and why is it so hard to give up? 63% of smokers want to quit. Some of the reasons people say they don't and can't give up smoking are:
• They are addicted to cigarettes
• They don't want put on weight.
• They don't want to go through the withdrawal symptoms.
• They believe that they won't have the will power to quit.
• Some people smoke to relieve stress and relax.
The biggest reason of all is because smoking cigarettes is not actually under your control. How many cigarettes a day do you actually enjoy? If you are like most, maybe 4-5. All the others you smoke almost unconsciously. When you first started to smoke you did it consciously. Once smoking becomes a habit, your subconscious mind drives you to smoke automatically. So unless you deal with the subconcious mind, and the individual reasons that you smoke, you are unlikely to give up in the long term.
Have You Tried To Quit Cigarettes Before? Why didn't it work?
• Did you not want to deal with the withdrawal symptoms?
• Did you start gaining weight?
• Did you just start smoking cigarettes for no real reason?
• Did you have just one and it turned into more?
• Did you get tricked into it?
• Or some other reason?
The reason for the success with this method is that it deals with all the reasons that are unique to you, and is also pro-active in removing a lot of the common reasons people fail, before they even happen. For example, with this method, we help find and create new habits so you don't gain any weight from eating more when you quit cigarettes. We can also help remove the withdrawal symptoms from the addictive aspects of cigarettes.
How does hypnosis work?
Our minds work on two levels – the conscious and the subconscious. We make decisions, think, and act with our conscious mind. The subconscious mind controls our habits. In the relaxed state known as hypnosis, we can communicate directly with the subconscious mind. This is why it is so quick and easy to change habits of a lifetime with hypnosis. We are often asked if some people can't be 'hypnotised'. The general rule of thumb is that everyone with an Average IQ or higher can be helped using these methods.
The one-on-one sessions are custom tailored to your individual needs, and this methodology has been shown to be one of the most successful ways to give up. The key is that you really want to give up, if the answer is yes - then you're in the very high success rate category.
Is this system safe?
The methods are largley based on advanced hypnosis and NLP. Both of these systems are completely safe. You are aware and in control at every moment and can terminate the session at any time. You cannot get stuck in hypnosis. You can't be made to do something against your will! Hypnosis is a safe, relaxing, and enjoyable experience.
*Please note that while the majority of our clients have great results we cannot by law or otherwise guarantee individual outcomes.
Bibliography
American College of Chest Physicians (2007, October 22). Hypnotherapy For Smoking Cessation Sees Strong Results. ScienceDaily. Elkins GR, Rajab MH (2004), Clinical hypnosis for quit smoking: preliminary results of a three-session intervention. Texas A&M University System Health Science Center College of Medicine, USA. Int. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 2004 Jan 52(1) pp73-81. Eason, A (2011) What is the Actual Evidence for using Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy to Stop Smoking? Posted June 23, 2011 www.adam-eason.com O' Driscoll, M (2000), Smoking Cessation and Hypnosis - A comparative review of the effectiveness of hypnosis, an advanced method of hypnosis, and other interventions used for the cessation of smoking. Practice Builders Study : Smoke Free International's proprietary method Schmidt & Chockalingam, (1992) University of Iowa, How One in Five Give Up Smoking Journal of Applied Psychology October 1992. Also New Scientist October 10, 1992 Wald, E., Eggelston T, J., & Girbson, F. (1992), "Cognitive reactions to smoking relapse", New Scientist, Issue 1845, vol 136, pp6.
