addiction

Are you tired of trying to quit smoking with little success? You’re not alone. Many smokers struggle with the addictive nature of nicotine and the psychological habits that keep them reaching for another cigarette. While patches, gums, and medications can help with physical cravings, they often don’t address the deeper, subconscious reasons behind smoking. That’s where hypnosis comes in.

What is Hypnosis?

Hypnosis is a natural, relaxed state of focused attention that allows the mind to be more open to positive suggestions. It’s not about losing control or being manipulated; instead, it’s a collaborative process where the hypnotherapist guides you into a state of deep relaxation. In this state, your subconscious mind becomes more receptive to new ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving.

hypnosis is safe, and non-invasive

How Hypnosis Helps with Smoking Cessation

  1. Reprogramming Subconscious Triggers: Smoking isn’t just a physical addiction—it’s also a deeply ingrained habit. Many smokers light up when they’re stressed, bored, or need a break. Hypnosis works by identifying these triggers and reprogramming the subconscious mind to break the association between smoking and certain emotions or situations.
  2. Reducing Cravings and Withdrawal Symptoms: Hypnosis can help reduce the intensity of nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms by focusing the mind on new, healthier habits. By reinforcing positive behaviors, hypnosis makes the quitting process smoother and more manageable.
  3. Boosting Confidence and Motivation: One of the most significant barriers to quitting smoking is the belief that it’s impossible. Hypnosis can build a sense of self-efficacy, making you feel confident in your ability to quit. You’ll leave the session feeling more empowered, motivated, and in control.
  4. Managing Stress Without Smoking: Many smokers use cigarettes as a coping mechanism for stress. Hypnosis teaches relaxation techniques and other methods to manage stress, allowing you to handle challenges without turning to nicotine.
  5. Visualizing a Smoke-Free Future: During hypnosis, you’ll be guided to visualize your life as a non-smoker—breathing easier, feeling healthier, and enjoying a new sense of freedom. This mental rehearsal makes the goal of quitting feel more attainable and reinforces the desire to stay smoke-free.

What to Expect During a Hypnosis Session

Your hypnotherapy session will start with a conversation about your smoking habits, triggers, and motivations for quitting. This helps me (the hypnotherapist) tailor the session to your unique needs. Also there are many practical tips that can be shared with you. Tips that make the stopping easier.

Because stress is often a trigger, there are simple actions that can be taught to reduce your daily stress. During the hypnosis, you’ll be guided into a state of relaxation where you can let go of old habits and embrace new, healthier behaviors.

Sessions are typically comfortable and calming. You remain in control throughout and can even bring yourself out of hypnosis at any time. Most people find the experience pleasant and deeply relaxing.

Is Hypnosis Right for You?

Hypnosis isn’t a magic bullet, but it’s a powerful tool that can significantly boost your chances of quitting for good. It’s especially effective when combined with a strong personal commitment and a comprehensive quit plan that addresses both the physical and psychological aspects of smoking. Quitting becomes your new addiction.

Quitting becomes your new addiction

Quitting becomes your new addiction

Taking the Next Step

If you’re ready to quit smoking, consider giving hypnosis a try. With the right mindset and the guidance of a skilled hypnotherapist, you can finally break free from the grip of nicotine and enjoy the benefits of a smoke-free life.

Final Thoughts

Quitting smoking is one of the best decisions you can make for your health, and hypnosis offers a unique and effective approach to making that change stick. If traditional methods haven’t worked for you, it might be time to explore the power of your subconscious mind. You don’t have to do it alone—reach out and start your journey toward a healthier, smoke-free you today.

When we think of addiction, we tend to think of alcohol, drugs, cigarettes and gambling. We may even think about food as an addiction. There is a new threat to our health and well-being and it is very addictive, it is called technology addiction. It has not as of this writing been recognized as an official disorder, but the recommendations are there and it is (in my opinion) just a matter of time.  According to Dr. Andrew Doan of the U.S. Naval Substance Abuse and Recovery Program in San Diego, “There is no other drug of choice that you can get for the cost of an Internet connection or for free at a WiFi hotspot that’s as addicting as a painkiller.”

Go to any local hang out and notice how people are texting, posting, tweeting, pinning, snapping and any number of other internet interactions, while ignoring the real humans around them.  Social media is only part of the issue. We can stream movies, shop, play games, gamble, find love and even watch porn anywhere we happen to be.  China has taken the step of declaring technology addiction (or more specifically internet addiction) as a top public health threat.  They have rehab centers for addicted teens, the problem is oversight is lacking and some of the methods used are potentially more dangerous than the addiction itself.

There are couples who have said that their relationship broke down one click at a time. It became easier to get lost in the webs than dealing with the issues right in front of them. Becoming absorbed in sports, soaps, reality T.V. or any television programming can also be the escape route from dealing with the real world. I have written before about my concerns with what social media does to our self esteem.  We have a variety of blue boxes and screens that occupy our time, it is important to know where and when to draw the line.

Everyone’s internet use is different. It is possible that you might need to use the internet extensively for your work. Or maybe you rely heavily on social networking sites to keep in touch with faraway family and friends. Spending a lot of time online only becomes a problem when it absorbs too much of your time, causing you to neglect your relationships, your work, school, health and safety. If you keep repeating any compulsive behavior despite the negative consequences in your life, then it’s time to strike a new balance.

Technology Addiction Interferes With Real Living

When these activities begin to interfere with our jobs, our health and our safety we want to stop and consider what we are doing to ourselves. Having sleep issues? Many of my clients who have insomnia will sneak out of the bedroom when they awaken in the middle of the night to check emails. The blue screen will entrap them and take away any hope of returning to a good night’s sleep.

Personally I find the driving while texting to be a huge concern. I can’t even guess the number of times I have watched what I thought was a drunk driver only to pull up at the next light and realize they were in fact a texting driver. It is a bit worrisome when a hair stylist is constantly checking their phones; after all, they hold scissors right at our heads!

If you are noticing that you are avoiding the world and hiding behind a screen, take action. Set time limits for recreational use and stick to those limits. (I am in favor of timers that go off and remind us it is time to walk away.) Get physical so as to get those feel good hormones released into your body. The high of addiction causes those same hormones to be released, so change how it happens. Practice turning everything off during meals, take time to enjoy the meal and anyone you might be sharing it with. Parents need to follow these guidelines when wanting to set limits for their kids. After all, kids learn by observing adults in action.

If the temptation is stronger than your ability to find other activities and you find yourself drawn back to technology, hypnosis can help.  Hypnotherapy can be extremely effective when used to treat addictions and can either be used alone or in conjunction with traditional medical care as part of a treatment plan. After discussing the concerns  with a client we can decide the best combination of hypnotic methods to use in order to assist that individual achieving the goal of rejoining humanity once again.

In honor of the great news for coffee lovers that I posted about yesterday, I decided to stay with the coffee theme. One of the blogs that I enjoy visiting is Coffee Tickle. They have posted a great video from Scrubs about coffee addiction. It’s fun to watch. Treat yourself to a moment of enjoyment and stop by to see it.

My son, the one whom I send the Starbucks cards to has told me repeatedly about a show that makes him laugh. The show is Futurama, the episode he loves is one in which the character Fry drinks 100 cups of coffee and it results in time standing still. I believe as a college student my son has dreams of accomplishing the same.

I was unable to paste the code here without covering other important parts of my blog. (Sorry I am so techno blonde!) Therefore instead, for now, here is the link to where I was able to find the video:

Futurama Coffee Episode

Keep smiling!