SMOKING

Smoking is one of the most difficult habit patterns to break. Clients who have been addicted to illicit drugs often report their surprise that it was easier for them to overcome their drug habit than their smoking habit. There are two reasons for this. First, people fail to recognise the highly addictive quality of nicotine. Second, because smoking has not been an illegal activity practiced only in special, private circumstances, it is a habit that becomes enmeshed in the fabric of our daily lives and activities. Finally, until recently it has been an activity which was reinforced socially as a socially approved or sophisticated habit. Even now it is socially reinforced in certain groups, such as teenagers, who may still see it as a sign of "being grown up."

Some people are successful in stopping smoking on their own. Often this is not the case. John Wayne is reputed to have said that smoking is an easy habit to break as evidenced by the fact that he had stopped smoking "thousands of times."

With the increasing evidence of the health risks associated with smoking and with the increasing inconvenience of the habit due to social disapproval there has been much interest recently in forms of professional help to stop smoking. The use of gum or skin patches containing nicotine has been one medical approach. When an individual stops smoking, it provides the replacement of nicotine into the body. The theory behind this approach is to gradually reduce the amount of nicotine replaced until none is provided. Some people succeed using this approach, but it can result in dangerously high levels of nicotine in the body if a person "cheats" by continuing to "sneak a cigarette."

Hypnosis is another form of professional intervention. The theory behind this approach is to provide a reinforcement of the patient's motivation and determination to succeed and to provide psychological help in reducing physical or psychological withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, nervousness or obsessive thoughts about smoking.

The approach that we, at The London Therapy Centre find the most useful is to start with an Initial Consultation focused upon the goal of identifying the most important reasons clients wants to stop smoking. These motivational factors vary greatly from one person to another, depending upon their life situation, their system of beliefs and the presence of specific health risks. We also identify and evaluate the problems they encounter when they try to stop in order to determine the kind of help they will need. Because hypnosis works through reinforcement of individual motivation, the hypnotic procedure must be designed to fit the specific motivation, needs and personality of the individual client. The therapist will always explain to each individual client exactly what they will be doing and how the hypnosis works.

The therapist may wish to make a recording of the procedure during the hypnosis session as the effect of hypnosis is greatly reinforced by repetition. We, therefore, give our clients instructions about using the tape recording at home for reinforcement. Most of our clients are successful with just two sessions and the added reinforcement from using the recording at home.