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Smoking is one of the most difficult habit patterns to break. Patients in my practice who have been addicted to illicit drugs often report to me 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 recognize 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 sight 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 has 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 the patient 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 the patient "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. There are many hypnotic tapes on the market and there are advertisement for one session group hypnosis to stop smoking. The group sessions are usually put on by a "hypnotist" who travels from city to city, placing large newspaper advertisements about the session which is usually conducted in a large conference room in a hotel. The problem with this approach is two fold. First, the "hypnotist" usually has no training in psychology and he usually fails to recognize the importance of individual differences in motivation and personality in determining the proper hypnotic procedure and instructions for any one person. If you are very lucky, you may find a group hypnotic procedure which, by chance fits exactly for your own personality and motivation. In general, the greatest value of these group procedures is that they make a lot of money for the hypnotist because he is seeing dozens or even hundreds of people at a time. If you are interested in hypnosis for smoking cessation, I would recommend that you see a licensed psychologist who starts with an interview before attempting hypnosis. The approach that I find the most useful is to start with an interview focused upon the goal of identifying the most important reasons my patient 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. I 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 patient. I also explain to my patient exactly what we will be doing and how the hypnosis works. The hypnosis is done during the second office visit, and I make a recording of the procedure at the same time. The effect of hypnosis is greatly reinforced by repetition, therefore I give my patient instructions about using the tape recording at home for reinforcement. Most of my patients are successful with just two office visits and the added reinforcement from using the recording at home. If you want to use hypnosis to help you stop smoking I would suggest that you find a well qualified psychologist who uses an approach similar to the one which I have described above. For information about finding a well qualified hypnotist, click on selecting a hypnotist.
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Copyright Marvin S. Beitner, Ph.D. © 1995-2007 |
