Smoking

Smoking is like any other addiction. It was once a useful tool, and now is of more harm than good, that is why you are thinking about being rid of it. TWO Sessions (Normally)

Common misconceptions:

I have been smoking since I was 14, I don’t think that I can give it away.

Reality - All it requires is a decision and the means to give it away. When you took it up is irrelevant, it just alters the work (slightly).

I smoke 50 a day. I can’t give up.

Reality - It is easier to work with a 50 a day than a 5 a day. The 5 a day smoker plans their day around their cigarettes. e.g. I will do this and that chore, then have a smoke, then I will do such and such, and have another, then one after lunch etc. The 50 a day smoker doesn’t think about it, it is far more unconscious - big hint there!! Great for hypnosis.

I just smoke out of habit.

If you retrieve your packet, open it up, remove one, put it to your lips, light it, and then put the packet and lighter away - that was NOT a habit, that was a decision, whether conscious or subconscious. Calling it a habit is a cop-out.

Now it the time to get rid of the smouldering weed that is robbing you of money, health, longevity, looks and appeal.

OK, concepts for you to take hold of.

1.You need to tell me what you want, NOT what you don’t want. Don’t say, “I want to give up smoking, stop coughing, stop being unfit etc.”. The subconscious mind works very poorly focussing on what you DON’T want. Tell it what you DO want. “I am a non-smoker who breaths deeply and well, with increasing fitness” will focus the subconscious mind far better.

2.It is your decision, and my job is to assist you. I am not taking responsibility for your decision or forcing you to do anything. I will work with your subconscious mind like a coach with an athlete, where it can willingly change what is behind the desire and needs to smoke.

3.You are in control, and I will ensure that throughout with safeguards.

4.You can be hypnotised, and have been so most days of your life. When you can’t remember the last ten minutes of driving, or are daydreaming, you are in a trance. Everyone with cognitive understanding can be hypnotised. As a rule of thumb, the more intelligent, and the better the imagination, the better the subject. I have done hypnosis via a translator to a war traumatised lady, worked with a four year old ADD kid (OK, I was pretty shattered by the end), and worked with numerous people with intellectual disabilities. These were hard work. The average person is an easy challenge. Addictions are my speciality.

5.Your thoughts, memories and feelings are tools for you to use. We make, alter, repair or discard tools to serve the greater good - your well-being. Your subconscious mind makes the final decision as to what can be done safely.

1st Session usually involves :-

1.A discussion about how I want you to deliberately act with your thoughts

2.A plan of how to set goals as a non-smoker

3.Conscious pattern breakers

4.Initial set up of hypnotic skills and safeguards

5.Elimination of most or all desires to smoke

6.Elimination of the needs behind smoking by setting up better methods.

7.Some stress management work.

8.Preparation for the second session.

OK, First session has been done, now what ?

Don’t be hard on yourself or deny yourself treats.

This program is to give you more freedom, so exercise that freedom.

What to expect

For a previously 20 a day, now non-smoker, in :-

2 hours, the nicotine is out of your system

6 hours, your heart rate slows, and blood pressure drops slightly

24 hours, carbon monoxide is out of your system

and :-

Your sense of taste and smell will be much better

Other senses may improve somewhat

You may feel like “something is missing”

Other people will appreciate that you smell better

In General

Hypnosis is a tool to assist people to achieve change, it does not remove your responsibility in trying to achieve this change, and is not perfect, but can be of great help to you.  You are required to make an effort.  How much effort will vary.

Many people notice that thoughts related to smoking will start, and then be quickly stopped and replaced be other thoughts.

There is usually a great drop in the need and desire to smoke, in the past where people were advised to continue as needed until the second session, an approximate figure of 90 % reduction was usual.  Now, it tends to be better that if you are serious about what you are trying to achieve, then go cold turkey, and apply conscious skills such as “pattern breakers” to any residual needs.

Some people do it very easily, others have trouble.  If you are having trouble, that’s OK, it means that there are issues that are in conflict with what you are trying to achieve (that are to be addressed during the next session), and you are going to have to try.  Take some pride in your achievement of effort and accomplishment.  You are doing what others fail to even try.

What to observe if there are trying times

Your thought patterns, your habits, and the where, when and why of the desire or need.  This is required for the problem solving part of the hypnosis program.  Use support from friends and family, and following methods. Don’t give in, you are able to beat it !

Pattern Breakers

Our habits are patterns that can persist and require us to acknowledge them and work to change them.  Often a person feels that “something is missing” early in their experience as non-smokers, and can feel uncomfortable as a result.  It is OK to be uncomfortable as there are often associations with things that you no longer do.

Suggestions :-

If you use to typically sit in a particular chair on the verandah, lounge or dining room to smoke, pick a different chair.

If you were a “swing your legs out of bed and light up” morning smoker, try walking off the end of your bed instead.  Your partner may think that you are insane, but that would probably be no different than normal anyway.                                                                                                                          

If you always had a cup of coffee in one hand, and a smoke in the other, switch coffee brands or drinks completely.  You are saving money, so use it to treat yourself to a better quality drink.

Lunch breaks, work breaks etc., do something different, go for a walk, sit in a different spot, eat something new or different.

While driving, make the feeling of driving a bit different, use a squirt of a car perfume every time you get in (helps to make up for the smell you have inflicted upon your car), get a driving cushion or lumber support for your seat so that it feels different, perhaps do something so that it looks different.  The possibilities go on.

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What to be wary of

Crisis and Stress - An accident, family illness, fights or whatever may feel difficult without your old crutch, but you would have to handle it regardless of habits.  Don’t give in; 2nd session is for stress management, use it.

Alcohol - Some people find it easier to be led astray with a few drinks, others it does not affect.  Learn your strengths and weaknesses, and limit yourself if necessary.

Boredom - Have something as backup to do, there is always work to do, or perhaps someone to talk to, or exercise, or Pattern Breakers that you can use.

Self punishment - If you have a setback and end up having a smoke, don’t be too hard on yourself, mistakes are there to learn from.  Learn and move on to being a non-smoker.

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Chemical Assistance

Gum or patches should be avoided unless you absolutely need them.  Both are detrimental to your health.  The side effects of the patches are being noticed more, and gum addiction is starting to become an issue.                                                     

Second Session is for :-         Fine Tuning               Problem Solving                  

‍                                    Stress Management  Weight Management          

Smoking is like any other addiction. It was once a useful tool, and now is of more harm than good, that is why you are thinking about being rid of it. TWO Sessions (Normally)