By Iain Howland, Hypno CBT Thererapist >
Smoking is one of the most common and challenging habits to break. Despite the well-known health risks, millions of people worldwide continue to smoke, often trapped by cravings, stress relief needs, and psychological dependency. While nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) and medications help some to quit smoking, they are often ineffective for many. The most popular form of NRT, nicotine patches, also has by far the lowest success rate. While the Cochrane Review reported the average success rate for NRT as 17%, it dropped to 13.7% for nicotine patches, only 3.7% above placebo. In other words, nicotine patches only “work” for 3.7% of people. To put it another way, how many people would be willing to pay £150 for a course of nicotine patches if they were told by the chemist that there was a 96.3% chance they were simply wasting their money? For those looking for an alternative, Hypno-CBT offers a unique and statistically far more effective approach to smoking cessation, tapping into the power of the subconscious mind.
What is Hypno-CBT?
Hypno-CBT is a form of therapy that combines hypnotherapy with cognitive behavioural therapy. It uses guided relaxation, intense concentration, and focused attention to achieve a heightened state of awareness of thoughts, feelings and behaviours. In hypnosis, the mind becomes more open to suggestion, allowing therapists to work on deeply ingrained habits or thought patterns, such as the urge to smoke.
Contrary to popular belief, hypnosis does not involve mind control or losing free will. You remain conscious and aware throughout the session, but with enhanced focus, your mind becomes more receptive to positive suggestions. Hypno-CBT has been used to treat various issues, including anxiety, phobias, pain management, and addictive behaviours like smoking.
How Hypno-CBT Works for Smoking Cessation
The process of smoking addiction is both physical and psychological. While nicotine is addictive, many smokers are more emotionally and behaviourally dependent on cigarettes. Smokers often light up out of habit, stress, or to fill a psychological need.
Hypno-CBT is a multi-component approach, which employs a wide range of techniques which have been proven to work in clinical research studies. Through carefully crafted suggestions, and techniques, hypno-cbt helps reframe the smoker’s mindset. By changing how the subconscious perceives smoking, and changing how the client sees themselves, i.e. as a healthy non-smoker, the habit can lose its appeal.
Although the treatment takes place in one 2 hour session, there is homework to be done in the week before the session and afterwards too. This homework includes self-hypnosis (listening to pre-prepared recordings which back up and enhance the work done in session).
Benefits of Using Hypno-CBT to Quit Smoking
1. Addresses Emotional Dependency: Hypno-CBT is unique because it focuses on the emotional and psychological aspects of smoking, rather than just the physical addiction to nicotine. This makes it especially helpful for those who smoke out of habit, stress, or emotional triggers. It’s worth noting that hypnotherapy and CBT are empirically the two most effective treatments for smoking addiction in the world today. Combining the two makes the therapy even more effective.
2. Bolsters Coping Skills. The two primary factors in smoking cessation are motivation and coping. Hypno-CBT works on both. Supporting the new, non-smoker with the tools and the knowledge to handle the more difficult occasions that may arise.
3. No Drugs or Nicotine Substitutes: Unlike nicotine replacement therapies or medications, hypnotherapy is completely drug-free. There are no side effects or risks of dependency on replacement substances.
4. Long-Term Benefits: The subconscious changes that hypnotherapy instills can lead to long-term success, as it addresses the root causes of smoking rather than just treating the symptoms. After all, smoking is not much more than a bad habit and we can all change a bad habit.
Success Rates and Research
The effectiveness of hypnotherapy for smoking cessation varies from person to person, but many studies show promising results. A 2019 meta-analysis of various smoking cessation methods found that hypnotherapy was far more effective than some common therapies, like NRTs. The studies suggest that individuals who undergo hypnotherapy are far more likely to quit smoking for good than those who try to quit through willpower alone.
It’s important to note, however, that hypno-cbt isn’t a magic bullet. Success depends on the individual’s level of commitment, motivation and openness to the process. It is highly effective when combined with a strong desire to quit and a willingness to fully invest in the homework.
Is Hypno-CBT Right for You?
Whether you’ve tried to quit smoking multiple times using traditional methods without success, or it is your first time, hypno-cbt is worth exploring. It’s especially suitable for those who believe in their ability to change and are open-minded. However, like any treatment, results may vary, and it’s crucial to find a qualified, reputable hypnotherapist who specializes in smoking cessation (Ideally an accredited member of the CRSST Central Register of Stop Smoking Therapists).
Hypno-cbt offers a holistic, mind-centred approach to smoking cessation. It helps rewire the brain to break free from the habits and triggers that keep people smoking, all without the need for drugs or invasive interventions.
Final Thoughts
Smoking cessation is an endlessly different journey for everyone, but for most, Hypno-CBT is a powerful tool to help overcome the psychological hurdles of becoming a Non-smoker. By addressing the subconscious mind and installing coping techniques, Hypno-CBT offers a path to freedom that empowers individuals to take control of their health and well-being.
If you’re ready to become a non-smoker and are looking for a new approach, Hypno-CBT can offer the key to unlocking a happy, healthy, smoke-free life.
Photo by Alexandre Caron on Unsplash
Iain Howland – Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapist (GHR) (CRSST) and Integrative Clinical Hypnotherapist.
Iain uses Hypno-CBT with adults and children of all ages to bring about effective, lasting, transformative change. Hypno-CBT is a unique “hypnotic-psychotherapy” which integrates hypnosis, cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness (dehypnosis). While CBT is empirically proven to be the most effective therapy available today, Substantial research now shows that adding hypnosis can enhance CBT – improving outcomes for 70% compared to CBT alone.
“Iain’s calming approach, patience, empathy and expertise helped to overcome my anxiety as well as providing techniques including meditation that will help with any future challenges. He genuinely cares and the difference he has made has been fantastic. I highly recommend.” Learn more >