Stopping smoking - Alternative ways to stop smoking

Acupuncture to help you stop smoking

Acupuncture stimulates the skin at specific points on your body to balance the body’s energy system. Like hypnotherapy acupuncture can help reduce the stress associated with quitting smoking. The largest research study into effective methods to help people stop smoking came out favourably for acupuncture.  Although it was not as successful as hypnosis, it was better than any other one single method. For smoking cessation an acupuncturist normally treats areas on the outer ear. This method is very safe if you are treated by a trained and experienced acupuncturist.

Aversion therapy to help you stop smoking

Aversion Techniques are simply methods used to make the experience of smoking so unpleasant that the smoker no longer wishes to smoke. These methods can include Rapid Smoking, Rubber Band Technique, Hypnosis and a specially formulated mouthwash.
More on aversion therapy to help you stop smoking >

Cold Turkey to help you quit smoking

The Cold Turkey method of stopping smoking quite simply involves going it alone, relying on nothing more than willpower. It's the least successful method of quitting.

Cigarette filters to help you stop smoking

These are plastic cigarette holders that you fit on the filter end of the cigarette. Using these devises can help lessen the amount of nicotine you inhale. Some of the nicotine and other chemicals are absorbed by charcoal inside the filter.

Glucose treatment to help you give up smoking

If you're a heavy smoker who eats irregularly or tends to skip meals, you might benefit from taking glucose regularly to help you quit smoking. Missing a meal may cause a carbohydrate craving.  If this occurs at the same time as you experience a nicotine craving then you're much more likely to give into the urge to smoke.

You can find glucose in the form of dextrose tablets in your local chemist.  You don’t require a prescription for these. Taken at regular intervals throughout the day should keep your blood sugar level fairly constant. Try to take 10 a day. Each tablet has only around 10 calories.

Hypnosis and hypnotherapy to help you quit smoking

Hypnotherapy is the most effective way of giving up smoking. This claim is based on a well-known study published in the the New Scientist. Hypnotherapy is certainly one of the most popular ways of helping you to stop smoking.

Almost everyone can be hypnotised if they wish to be. A hypnotherapist uses positive suggestions and imagery to motivate the smoker to stop smoking. Similarly a hypnotherapist might also talk about what could happen if the smoker fails to stop smoking.  Underlying reasons for smoking might also be discussed. Hypnotherapy can also lessen the stress involved in giving up smoking.

Countless ex-smokers owe their success to hypnotherapy. If you're serious about quitting perhaps you should think about hypnosis.
Learn more about how hypnosis and hypnotherapy can help you stop smoking >

NRT (Nicotine Replacement Therapy) to help you stop smoking

NRT (Nicotine Replacement Therapy)works by replacing some of the nicotine cigarettes used to supply you with.  This is thought to help you gradually break the nicotine habit.  NRT can consist of nicotine patches or nicotine gum. A heavy smoker may need to be on NRT for up to three months. One of my hypnotherapy clients managed to stop smoking using nicotine gum, but felt that he had become addicted to that instead!

Private and NHS smoking cessation clinics

Finding a private smoking cessation clinic near you could prove difficult as they are few and far between. They use a variety of techniques to help people stop smoking, but can be fairly expensive. You are more likely to find a Smoking Cessation Clinic run by the NHS. They tend to favour non holistic methods and rely heavily on NRT (Nicotine Replacement Therapy) and Zyban or Champix.

Willpower to help you stop smoking

Maybe you believe you need massive amounts of will-power to stop smoking? Most people believe that willpower is essential to stop smoking successfully. According to the study referred to in the New Scientist, willpower counts for very little. Surprised?

Studies have shown that people who try to stop smoking without any help are seldom successful. In fact, it's one of the least effective smoking cessation methods.  Within a year more than 95% have failed, and most give up in the first 2-3 weeks. (Fiske, S. (2003). Psychology Today)

The advantage of stopping smoking using only willpower is that it's entirely free. Withdrawal symptoms tend to be more severe using willpower alone.

When you come for your first hypnosis smoking cessation session I'll explain why relying solely on willpower can actually set you up for failure! What you do need is genuine motivation and a good smoking cessation program.

Zyban and Champix for smoking cessation

Zyban, sometimes known as Bupropion, was originally marketed as an anti-depressant drug. By chance it was found to have the side-effect of decreasing the urge to smoke. Zyban is normally taken over a period of two months.  Champix is another popular drug used to help people stop smoking. Champix is marketed in the U.S. as Chantix.

Unfortunately there are serious dangers associated with with both Champix and Zyban and so they should be taken with the utmost caution.