Is it the Nicotine? Smoking Cessation Reconsidered

It was nearly 20 years ago that I first started seeing clients in my hypnosis counseling practice. During these two decades a large percentage of the people I have seen sought my help in order to become free of the smoking habit.

Looking back at the hundreds of private and small group sessions I have facilitated, here are some observations I have made about letting go of the smoking habit:

• If nicotine is so physically addictive why doesn't nicotine replacement therapy have a higher success rate? Most studies I have seen state around a 20% success rate for nicotine patches, with dummy or placebo patches having a rate of effectiveness of about 15%. So is 75% of the benefit really all in your head? I have encountered scores of folks who said that the patches didn't "work" and that they smoked while using them (quite dangerous to do BTW). Maybe the nicotine that isn't the key player here? 
• If smoking is relaxing, why does it elevate heart rate, blood pressure and constrict blood vessels? What may be relaxing is the slow, rhythmic breathing of the smoking behavior and/or the break in your routine. Smoking may be the only time a person engages in "mindfulness." Trust me, there are better ways of going about that!
• Perhaps it would be better if we referred to the behavior of smoking as a bad habit rather than an addiction. Addiction implies helplessness/hopelessness, however unhealthy habits can be dropped.
• I have met a number of individuals who experienced severe adverse reactions to the prescription medications for smoking cessation. Do keep in mind these drugs were originally marketed as anti-depressants. It was discovered some patients taking them for clinical depression reported spontaneously losing interest in their smoking habits and it was then that the pharmaceutical companies decided to offer them as a stop smoking treatment.  But what are the consequence of someone who is not depressed taking such a medication? Be sure to bring this up with your physician if you are considering that treatment route. 
• The look of pride and satisfaction on a person's face when they know they have conquered that dirty, dangerous habit by tapping into their own inner resources is priceless. You can be one of them! 

If you would like to learn more about how you can become a healthy non-smoker for life, call (732) 714-7040 for a free, confidential phone consultation.