Hypnosis/Stopping Smoking

[Wispy68]

I'd really like to give up smoking (which will be my third attempt). So far, I've tried good old willpower and nicotine patches, and managed to stop twice, for about six months both times. Has anyone on Answerbank tried hypnosis, and if so, did it work for you?

[Blender]

Best answer is to see your doctor who'll prescribe a course of pills [can't remember the name] that'll run for a month and it'll help you stop smoking. I know cos I stopped this way 2 years ago and now it doesn't bother me even to sit and talk with someone who's smoking

[WendyW]

I tried it and it didn't work .. so I tried a new tack. I told myself that I could continue smoking but I had to give up inhaling!!!. After a month of not inhaling I suddenly though why am I blowing money into the sky!! so I tried giving up again and this time it worked. Good luck.

[xyzzyplugh]

pill is Wellbutrin aka Nyban

[xyzzyplugh]

Ooops, "Zyban" aka Wellbutrin NOT Nyban

[WendyW]

Zyban has had some bad press over the last year.

[Wee Kaz]

My wee sister smoked for about 8 years and even smoked the funny fags in a daily basis, she went to a hypnotist and stopped straight away, in fact now the mear smell of it gives her the boak, if you pardon my expression. Give it a go, what have you got to lose other than a few pounds which will work itself out in the long run - Good Luck!!

[Hippy]

I think there are two stages to get through. You have to get BOTH done to really quit, and to start with you have to start by really wanting to quit.

Stage 1 - addiction. The physical craving for the weed is the first and most painful bit. Withdrawal symptoms last about ten days before your body relents and says OK I can live without tobacco. Patches etc. prolong this agony and make money for pharmaceutical companies!

Stage 2 - "I am a non-smoker" really starts from day one, but becomes more important after physical addiction had been overcome. It's about how you see yourself. A lot of reformed smokers go on rants, and for some this is a good thing as it re-enforces the mind set. You have to see yourself as a non-smoker. In that way you will not be tempted to take up smoking again.

The worst thing is to have gone though all that withdrawal pain and then just see yourself as a given up person. You are more vulnerable to the emotional addiction that is still inside you.

I hope this helps.