Hello again and welcome back.

www.iwanttoquitsmoking.com the Stop Smoking Hypnosis people.

Hello again and welcome back.

I was just reviewing a note from a reader asking what was out there for the long term dedicated smoker. Of course, I KNOW I have the solution :) because I have been exposed to everything and see what really works but fair is fair so here goes.

First and foremost is the bad big bird, COLD TURKEY. We ain't talkin' Thanksgiving here. It works. Well, it does for a while. Just ask all the millions of smokers who have tried it. Problem is that kind of will power doesn't last but unfortunately the pain involved stays with you for a long time and conditions you to future failure. If you haven't tried it don't let me discourage you. Please, try it. Let me know you are going to try to 'just quit' and I will say a little prayer for you and cheer you on with my very best wishes. Go for it!

Next is a variety of support groups. Good ones too. Public support groups from our government which have incredible merit and draw on some of the best minds in the field. American heart assoc., lung assoc. and several others, some of whom offer personal contact with other people trying to quit who support each other and share their difficulties. Private groups, some of which have you plug in like drug and alcohol clinics and others who do outpatient meetings. Most of these groups offer literature and on line information. As I've mentioned before I encourage you to try anything that sounds plausible to you.

Gee, I just realized how many assists are out there. Physical aids, emotional aids, intrusive and otherwise. This is going to take more than one newsletter. Come back in a day or two and I'll go on with the "smokers encyclopedia".

In the mean time, please try what I've been suggesting all along. It won't cost you a nickel. Check us out on http://www.iwanttoquitsmoking.com/ or call 888-865-1870. Thanks for your time.

The ABC's of Stress Management

A while back, I was in a minor fender-bender accident, and as the police officer filled out the report, I gave him my business card with my name and phone number. When he saw "stress management" listed he said, "We've got to talk!" That's most people's reaction when they find out what I do.




Many people say they feel stressed, and most people would probably agree that being a police officer is stressful, but it's amazing how much stress we all have in our everyday lives. It can be a result of driving in rush hour, learning new software, or grocery shopping after a long hard day at work. Of course there's stress in more serious situations too, such as illness or losing a job, but it can also result from positive events such as marriage, a promotion, or even winning money.



Stress is anything that makes you change, adjust or adapt. And it's cumulative. For example, if you have a tense or difficult discussion with a spouse or co-worker, and later spill coffee on your computer, the stress of spilling the coffee doesn't replace the stress of the discussion. It just adds another layer to your stress level that day. Physical and mental damage can result from too much stress, so it's important to learn and to use good coping skills to relax and relieve the pressure. Here are just a few:



A. Allow time every day for relaxation.


Your success at managing stress depends on you not only learning, but practicing relaxation techniques. Regular practice is what makes it effective, so set aside time for regular, daily deep relaxation, even if it's only five or ten minutes. And simply relaxing in front of the television or taking a warm bath doesn't count! You can achieve a deeply relaxed state by learning one of the many effective techniques such as breathing, guided imagery, meditation, etc. Choose one that feels right for you.



Deep relaxation produces desirable physiological and biochemical responses that are exactly the opposite of those seen during stress. According to stress expert Dr. Edmund Jacobson: "An anxious mind cannot exist in a relaxed body".



Regular deep relaxation has many healthy benefits. It can decrease anxiety, increase concentration, help you sleep better and generally make you feel better. When you consistently practice some form of deep relaxation, it has a cumulative effect. You become more aware of the difference between feeling stressed and feeling relaxed, so when tension builds, you're more likely to notice it sooner and do something about it.



B. Breathe.


Breathing techniques are a foundation of stress reduction training. When we're stressed we tend to take shorter, shallow breaths. We may even hold our breath. This decreases the flow of oxygen to the body, making it harder to cope with stress. When you breathe properly, i.e., when you breath into your abdomen, not just your chest, you take in more oxygen, promote calmness, and can reduce tension and stress quickly. The next time you feel tension building, stop what you're doing and take a few long, slow, deep abdominal breaths. Focus only on your breathing, and let a sense of calm wash over you.




You can also practice abdominal breathing on a regular basis, which works on keeping your stress level low. When clients tell me they don't have time to practice, I write them a "prescription" that states: "Take 3 deep breaths every hour". At some time during our day, we all find ourselves waiting in a line, at a red light, "on hold", or waiting for our computer to do something. These are perfect occasions to practice deep breathing. The more you shift your breathing to your abdomen the more relaxed you will feel on an ongoing basis.



C. Change your thoughts.


It's our perception of an event that's stressful, not the event itself, and what we think affects our body. There's a cause and effect relationship between what we think and how our body reacts. If your thoughts are tense or anxious your body responds with a stress response, a series of unhealthy changes; increased muscle tension, increased blood pressure, and increased heart rate, to name a few.




For example, if you're stressed about giving an upcoming talk, you may be thinking, "What if I look foolish; I'm afraid; I hate this…" or other scary thoughts that trigger the stress response. To counteract those thoughts and the negative reaction they set off, change your thoughts. Refute and challenge those thoughts by telling yourself: "I'm fine; I'm prepared; people want me to succeed…" or other positive, self-supportive, confidence-building statements. You will feel better and your body will respond positively



When you're feeling stressed and frazzled you can also simply close your eyes and take a mental vacation. Imagine a tranquil, relaxing scene. It could be a favorite vacation spot, somewhere that reminds you of serenity, or any place real or imagined that's peaceful and relaxing to you. This works especially well if you have previously learned to "visit" this place while deeply relaxed. The more familiar you are in your mind with your special relaxing place, the easier it is to relax quickly.



By learning and practicing a few easy skills, you can reduce stress and make positive changes in your life.





Tedde Abbott is a certified hypnotherapist in private practice in Avon. She helps private and corporate clients with stress, weight, smoking, and personal issues. She can be contacted through Healthy Life Centers at (888) 865-1870 and www.iwanttoquitsmoking.com





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Stop Smoking Blog



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Tobacco Hypnosis: "Cigarettes Are My Friend"

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Practicing hypnotherapists hear many peculiar statements from smokers who ask for help in quitting. The idea that cigarettes could be someone's "friend" is just one of them. One man believed that he couldn't write music unless he was smoking. Others have been convinced that they couldn't relax unless they were inhaling tobacco fumes. Those people were suffering from what I have come to call "tobacco hypnosis". They had hypnotized themselves into some odd beliefs about the effects of tobacco and smoking.




It's easy to understand how some of the "tobacco hypnosis" beliefs came about. For example, the notion that smoking is relaxing has a basis in fact. Taking a deep breath and holding it for a few seconds before exhaling does result in a relaxation response. The response of the body to deep breathing is so strong that it overrides the drug effects of the nicotine, which is a stimulant that increases muscle tension, raises blood pressure, and constricts circulation. Consider the power of suggestion, too. A great many people believe that smoking is relaxing, so relaxation becomes a self fulfilling prophesy. They relax while smoking because they believe that smoking causes relaxation. The power of that belief empowers the mind to actually reverse the drug effects of the nicotine.



Those kinds of beliefs can make it difficult for smokers to quit. After all, they're not just putting down a bad habit, they're giving up a friend, or worse yet, their ability to relax! Of course, all humans have the ability to relax without inhaling cigarette fumes, taking drugs, or a hot bath. However much some smokers may believe otherwise, we all have the capacity to take a break, or a deep breath, or to change our mood quickly with a smile, an expletive, or a good laugh.



The job of the hypnotherapist is to help clients loosen or blow out obstructing beliefs so that they can quit smoking easily. Humor works exceptionally well with "Cigarettes are my friend". Simply look at the smoker quizzically, and ask, "Do you pull out cigarettes and have long conversations with them about all the things going on in your life? Or, maybe you put a pack on the pillow next to you and say 'Good night' before turning out the lights?" Usually, the response is a surprised laugh, and a smiling "no".



The notion that cigarettes are relaxing can go up in smoke just as quickly. It's simply a matter of explaining the stimulant effects of nicotine, and then having the smoker take a deep breath, hold for a few seconds, and then exhale as if blowing out cigarette smoke. Physical relaxation always follows, and without a single puff on a cigarette! Experiencing the relaxation from a deep breath is usually a strong convincer to a smoker who believed that they could only relax by smoking. And since, people usually relax when going into a hypnotic state, as well, it's easy for the hypnotherapist to have them memorize the feelings for later.



Perhaps the most difficult and oppressive belief for smokers to give up is that cigarettes are "addicting". Surprised that anyone could disagree after all the publicity that's been given to the scientific research that's been done on tobacco? From a hypnotherapist's point of view, the word "addiction" means something different when applied to tobacco versus narcotics like heroin. And, making that distinction can be crucial in helping a smoker quit, because a smoker's belief in addiction can turn into a self fulfilling prophesy of struggle and difficulty, hardly the ideal mindset for successfully quitting.



So what is the difference between heroin and tobacco? Someone addicted to heroin will go into withdrawal, feel sick and experience physical cravings too strong to ignore on a regular basis, say every 6 hours. Some smokers report having no cravings or withdrawal for 8 hours at work, "because smoking is not allowed", although the first thing they when leaving is to light up. Others will forget cigarettes for an hour or two at a movie or church. And, no one seems to be awakened fifteen times a night by nicotine withdrawal. Once awakened a smoker may indulge, but it isn't craving a cigarette that wakes them up in the first place. A heroin addict does not sleep through withdrawal cravings, or put off the next fix for a while just because it's inconvenient.



This is not to downplay the difficulties that so many have had in quitting cigarettes. Their struggles, including cravings and unpleasant physical sensations, have been real, generated by a combination of supporting beliefs, and nicotine. Changing those beliefs is just one of the tools that hypnotherapists uses in helping smokers quit easily and for good.






Wesley Anderson, DCH can be contacted through Healthy Life Centers at (888) 865-1870 and www.iwanttoquitsmoking.com





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Arthritis-Hypnosis Connection

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Did you know that we all have the ability to enhance self-healing, increase comfort and improve nutrition, exercise, communication and flexibility? This article explains clinical hypnosis and how it can bring relief to clients suffering from arthritis. Hypnosis is easy to learn, you can do it on your own and it empowers you to take an active role in your healthy well-being.





The subconscious mind has many jobs. It quietly and effectively regulates our bodily functions and stores all of our values, beliefs and memories. It also balances our blood pressure, heart rate and co-ordinates each step we take everyday of our life. The negative effects of arthritis extend into many areas of a client's life, as does the positive resolve and relief of hypnosis. Hypnotherapy is the simple process of accessing and directing the subconscious mind to support certain positive changes. It is the language of the mind, it access the most powerful level of awareness and down loads new applications of freedom and relief.




Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It causes a deterioration of the protective lining of cartilage in our joints. This deterioration occurs due to a breakdown of the chondrocytes that form cartilage. Osteoarthritis affects men and women equally. Most people over 30 years of age have some features of early osteoarthritis. The degree of limitation depends on the location of the inflammation. The major areas of concern are hips, knees and spine. The development of osteoarthritis may be related to trauma, aging or heredity.


The symptoms of stress play a big role in exacerbating the situation. Communication with family and friends plays a key role in managing stress and hypnosis makes this a lot easier. Suggestions offered to a client during a hypnosis session encourage them to share what's on their mind enabling them to offload concern and frustration, giving them more time doing things they enjoy.

It takes energy to deal with any physical or emotional burden. Hypnosis creates ideal sedation allowing for sound sleep. We all follow the path of our most dominant thoughts and if the last thoughts a client has at bedtime involve deep restful sleep, they are in a much better position to recharge their body and mind for tomorrow's challenges.

For those suffering with arthritis it's often difficult just keeping up with the fast pace of day-to-day life. Hypnosis helps individuals adjust to a more appropriate pace and also to release the frustrations and anxiety associated with any limitation. Clients who routinely relax with hypnosis are more centered, balanced and less affected by things they can not control.

Increasing muscle tone reduces stress to affected joints, which increases mobility and comfort. Low impact activities like swimming; walking and range of motion exercises are commonly recommended to clients with arthritis. With hypnosis it's easier to integrate new regimes and to establish positive subconscious connections between healthy activity and improved mobility, comfort and freedom.




The more protection in your joints, the more comfort and mobility you create. Since the subconscious controls the multitude of our bodily function, hypnosis can direct it to increase the production of chondrocytes, which increases the growth of healthy new cartilage. Pain is often the biggest issue with arthritis. Some pain, however, is necessary; it acts as a warning system telling us that something isn't right. The responsible approach with hypnosis is to only reduce unnecessary pain, leaving intact the body's ability to signal us and protect us from further complications.




Hypnosis can also be used to regulate the flow and distribution of endorphins, which are the 'feel good' chemicals the body uses to create comfort and relaxation. Using hypnosis to regulate endorphin production plays a big role in putting the client in control. Hypnosis can also alter the perception of where the pain is located. By redirecting sensitivity away from key areas such as hips, knees and vertebrae to a less critical part of the anatomy like a finger tip, the client has much more control.




The same approach can be used to attach a different quality to pain. A sharp pain can be perceived as dull; burning pain can be perceived as cool. Involving other senses is one of the distinct advantages hypnosis offers in managing the symptoms of arthritis. Another technique involves using one color to represent pain and another to represent comfort, and then blending the two offering instant relief.




Lastly, by attaching a number value to pain creates the option of change. By imagining a yardstick during hypnosis a client can pick the number that best reflects their current level of pain, and then they are directed to different numbers which changes their perceived level of discomfort.




With hypnosis arthritis sufferers gain a distinct advantage in managing and even reversing the limitations of arthritis. Hypnosis is simple, empowering and extremely effective. A few sessions with a hypnotherapist gets you started and with a little practice you begin to effect healthy positive changes in your life. We all have remarkable self-healing abilities and hypnosis is an excellent way to jumpstart a return to a healthier more active life.





Paul Gustafson RN, BSN, CH runs HealthyHypnosis.com of Burlington, Massachusetts. His 11 years of acute cardiac and hospice experience offer a solid foundation supporting his clinical approach to hypnotherapy. He can be contacted through Healthy Life Centers at (888) 865-1870 and www.iwanttoquitsmoking.com





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The next encyclopedic offering is right up your alley - Internet Buddies!

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There are several good reasons why internet groups can be helpful in the stop smoking arena. First is that it's possible to get quite close to someone through finger conversation and still know that if things go sour you can merely pull the plug without the messy after effects experienced one on one. Second is the wide variety of experiences you can share and all the routes you don't have to take yourself but can semi experience second hand. Third - a group going all out together in such a difficult endeavor can offer and accept last minute desperate help when needed. Even the best of long term personal friends may balk-weary at a panicky late night appeal and you of course are less apt to stress out a life long relationship, especially if that person is not quitting smoking themselves. Much as they may love you and desire to help, they just aren't walking around in your shoes. Your internet buddy group, however, is practically living in your loafers.

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Then comes - Friends Quitting Together! This is great but really difficult to set up. "IF" you can get two or three friends and acquaintances who smoke to get together and discuss quitting you'll know what I'm talking about. You all get scared and panicky and worry about one of you falling off the wagon and spoiling the total commitment or someone sneaking and not telling the truth. Someone will think that quitting will be much harder for them than for everyone else and some compensation should be made. Someone else will fear that failure may cause damage to friendships. Lots of worries but if an accommodation can be reached and each is willing to try then for goodness sake, go for it.





I've said it before and will probably bore you with it again but whatever gets you through the night. However, if the nightmare is still there in the morning, come back to www.iwanttoquitsmoking.com and take the one step that isn't scary at all. Be good to yourself. You deserve it.





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Yes… Quitting Smoking Is Easy

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We've heard about all the levels of disease we can manifest in the physical body from the smoking habit so there is no sense even going there. Scare tactics never have and never will resolve any problem. What few acknowledge is most problems originate on an energy level. And solutions to problems are also on an energy level. That means the focus on scare tactics is only making the smoking habit stronger, locking a person into an almost phobia reaction to quitting. It also means the solution, when approached from an energy level, is the only way to deal with the problem.
Not everyone has experienced a traumatic event associated with the smoking habit. A good many persons resistant to quitting smoking have strong indicators for survival associated with the smoking habit. For example, one person was raped at the age of thirteen and started smoking after the event. Every time she lit up, she replayed the event in her mind until many years later she wanted to stop doing this. The problem was every time she tried to quit smoking, she began choking replaying that old event from the past, which meant she had to smoke or fear choking to death. The choking became a safety mechanism to remind her to avoid that fear mechanism.





Also death and dying seems to play a part in initiating the smoking habit. Many persons begin smoking after a death of a loved one. This is a highly emotional time to be gotten through and many will report lighting one up to keep breathing through the sometimes weeks of preparation for burial. And then find they can't quit because negative emotion has locked them into survival factors.




Let's take a look at some of the messages we learn growing up that often as adults trip us up. These may sound silly and childish, they are however strong self programmed, self hypnotic messages:


" A car with one headlight is approaching. Hold your breath until it's passed. We shouted out a mental trigger, a word for initiating this process. Pididdle. So years later the program may have been forgotten, the body still replays the message automatically, and we hold our breath until the danger is past. Yes, danger because that is how the brain is taught to keep us safe. Yes there is no real danger in a car with one headlight. It doesn't matter when the mind is trained to perceive a possible danger; it goes into automatic response until this nasty bit of self disciplined support is relayed as "I am safe now." Safe to light up another one without consciously knowing why a person is locked into doing so.

" Driving past a cemetery on either side of the road. Hold your breath until past it. Years later a loved one takes us through the release process and a cigarette becomes our best friend. At least when we're smoking, it's okay to breathe; make space for ourselves to breath, to get past that old bit of programming.

" Walking down a sidewalk, step on a crack; you'll break your mother's back unless you hold your breath.

" Marksmanship. Hold your breath for accuracy. The problem with this mechanism is we encounter daily problems where we attempt to be accurate in many different things and smoking takes some of the pressure off that old bit of programming and makes it okay to breathe.




There is no pill in a bottle or positive affirmation download that can affect any of this wide load of self programmed self sabotaging messages. There is however hypnosis, a method for acknowledging the problem in a manner that triggers the mind's safe mechanism in a moment of excellence where we can make change by activating positive aspects. Change the thought process, release the strangle hold on those old traumatic events that were a time of emotional upheaval and quitting smoking is easy.




Probably hypnosis for quitting smoking is the easiest most visible immediate response for making a change. Most persons quit smoking after a first time hypnosis session. That in itself is rewarding results for both the hypnotist and client.




What about when a person has a strong survival factor attached to the smoking habit? The smoking habit actually got the person to be able to function shifting into adult life survival patterns. We have a core survival factor locking us into the smoking habit and wonder why we can't control this and just quit smoking.




This is where hypnosis leaps to the fore front of possible solutions. A hypnotist doesn't even have to know about that old thing that happened. We can simply regress the mind to the event as an observer, fill it with light and love and progress the mind back to now. The emotional sting is gone. Perception that was a strangle hold on what happened has changed. When we let go of the past, we stop bringing it into our present energy experience. When we stop activating that past bad thing, we can leap forward like a puppy dog looking for more moments of excellence for Joyous Survival.




With hypnosis we can program for a future where we have set up a new program for activating positive aspects. What this does is set up a new thought process. Instead of expecting something bad to happen and because that is energy it does, something good happens and that is energy too.
The reason hypnosis works to stop smoking is because we are bypassing all those old messages a person enacted to support doing this action. It's easy to program for a new healthy life and get it. And smokers who want to quit are so much fun to work with not only because the income pays the bills, they are so eager to make a change to stop smoking. Their expectation carries them forward into improving other areas of their lives as well.
Hypnosis works because it is dealing with a problem on an energy level that bypasses all the self sabotaging beating a drum in the jungle stuff. Hypnosis soothes and when we can relax and breathe deeply we get results activating Joyous Survival.





Let's look at it this way. If holding our breath, shallow breathing, and smoking worked, we would all be doing it. The reason we aren't all doing it and many smokers quit is because activating the Joy State works. Yes, hypnosis works differently for everyone and can work for you too.




Ginger Hines says… Yes… Quitting Smoking Is Easy




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Smoker's Encyclopedia from www.iwanttoquitsmoking.com

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Hi guys, back again with more on the list of “helps for the smoker”. I’ve been trying to get you to quit the fastest and easiest way there is but I did promise to cover everything I could think of that might possibly work for you so for part three of the smoker’s encyclopedia let’s talk about aides and assists. (Sounds like an old English novel).

There are several so let’s start with the artificial cigarette. This one seems silly but actually may be helpful. It’s just that, a plastic toy cigarette. Holding and fondling it and putting it in your mouth give you sensory pleasure (nuthin’ wrong with that). Maybe it’s a bit like worry beads. My daughter gave me some pretty small quartz stones once at a tough time in my life and holding and fingering them gave me comfort as she said they might. Probably because she said they might. There are pitfalls here. I personally know people who have given up smoking and become completely addicted to chewing on toothpicks and coffee stirrers and sucking on hard candy. Frankly, whatever gets you through the night. If you can quit smoking now and deal with the secondary addictions later, OK. OR……….you could go directly to www.iwanttoquitsmoking.com
and avoid the whole mess. OK, OK I’ll quit pushing and get back to the encyclopedia, (more’s the pity).

The patch. They say it’s helped a lot of people quit. It probably won’t do it for you all by itself but coupled with other assists it might help. A few negatives I found: I have sensitive skin and the chemical intensiveness was hard on me. Don’t wear a patch in the same place twice and don’t use it for any longer than you have to.

Gum. I gave it a good try and yicky pooh poohs! Might as well take up snuff or chaw like a cowboy. I’ve heard that newer versions don’t taste as bad but you are still putting nicotine and poisons into your body and as with the patch these can have potentially severe effects and should be used with caution. Personally, I object to the boogieman approach of scaring you into “not smoking while using this product”. So, if you’re scared enough maybe you won’t smoke but what have you really learned about yourself?

The reason I keep hitting you over the head with a talented and well trained hypnotist is because in such a short time he can help you learn so much about yourself that you can become your own best friend and get on top of this ugly killer without resorting to other crutches.

Last assist for today is drugs and you do the homework. There are several professionally in use and I am not qualified to discuss or even to list them. Anything I might have knowledge of might work differently on you so I’ll pass. I am qualified, however to suggest, once again, that you contact www.iwanttoquitsmoking.com
and check out what I’ve been talking about. Bye for now and the best of luck!

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Are nicotine weaning products a bad joke?

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Nicotine gum, patch and lozenge marketing continues to assert that clean nicotine weaning products double a smoker's chances of quitting. Recent findings raise serious concern over whether they benefit or are a barrier to those seeking freedom from nicotine.




(Charleston SC) October 15 2003--Do over-the-counter (OTC) nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products like the nicotine gum, patch and lozenge really help smokers quit? "Double your chances" has been the cornerstone of NRT marketing for almost two decades but just how useless must a product become before warranting a close examination of what's being doubled?




A March 2003 study review published in Tobacco Control combined and averaged all OTC NRT studies and found that 93% of nicotine patch and gum study participants relapsed to smoking within six months.




The study's financial disclosure indicates that the primary authors were NRT industry consultants. Despite seven months since the study's release and despite reflecting the combined results of all seven OTC studies, the CDC, NIH, FDA, state health departments, and all major health organizations have chosen not to share this horrific 7% midyear abstinence finding with smokers. But why?




Could pharmaceutical industry government influence possibly have become so strong? Could major health non-profits have themselves become addicted to large annual NRT industry contributions for allowing their trusted influence and websites to be used as storefronts to sell nicotine products to nicotine addicts?




NRT use recommendations also fail to warn youth about their chances and risks. After generating a dismal 5% six-month quitting rate among 101 adolescent smokers, a study published in the January 2000 edition of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine (APAM) concluded that the patch was ineffective in helping youth smokers quit.




A June 2003 youth NRT use survey, also published in APAM, raises the additional concern that teenage never-smokers are possibly becoming chemical slaves to the daily use of NRT products. Among the 216 surveyed youth who asserted they had used NRT, 40 represented that they had "never smoked a cigarette, not even a few puffs" and 7 of the 40 reported using NRT every day.




Aside from the almost secret treatment accorded NRT's adult and youth six-month relapse rates, smokers have long been kept in the dark regarding one other critical NRT shortcoming. How are the 7% adult and 5% youth midyear quitting rates impacted by a second or subsequent NRT attempt?




The study experts call it "recycling" and the only known study was published in a journal entitled Addiction in April 1993. Sadly, practice does make perfect with NRT in perfecting the odds of defeat. Not a single nicotine patch user who relapsed in a patch study a year earlier was still quit six months into their second patch attempt - zero, none.




Deprived of their natural odds of recovery, how many smokers may have believed in and toyed with NRT for so long that they actually ran out of time and chances?




Recent studies are not the only bearers of bad NRT news. Smoker survey findings published in the September 11, 2002 edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association concluded that "NRT appears no longer effective in increasing long-term successful cessation in California smokers." London and Minnesota smoker surveys also found no benefit.




If so, why continue depriving smokers of basic performance info that would empower them to make meaningful decisions in how to spend their priceless periods of confidence, in trying to break nicotine's grip upon their brain's dopamine, adrenaline and serotonin pathways? And how can the industry continue asserting that NRT is twice as effective as quitting on your own?




According to evidence table data presented in the June 2000 U.S. Clinical Practice Guideline, the historical on-your-own success rate for those not using any products or programs is roughly 10% at six months.




Those marketing NRT ignore a quitter's 10% natural recovery ability and instead look inward to declare victory over a group of placebo device users within the study, where, amazingly, only 3 to 4% succeed in quitting for six-months. But why three times lower?




What if you so deeply believed in the NRT marketing hype that you agreed to participate in a study in hopes of receiving 12 weeks of free patches? What if you were quickly able to sense or detect that you were not getting your regular dose of nicotine but had instead been randomly assigned to receive the placebo patch? Would frustrated expectations cause you to find an excuse to relapse?




In one of the studies used to compute the March 2003 OTC NRT findings, at study's end only 18.3% of those in the placebo patch group believed that they had received the "Real McCoy." Although the authors clearly state that "the effect of such a blinding failure would probably be a reduction of the placebo effect," it didn't stop the industry from relying upon it in claiming yet another internal "double your chances" odds ratio victory.




Aside from blinding failures, the placebo devices in a number of studies did not meet the classic definition of "placebo" as, supposedly for masking purposes, they contained from 1 to 3 mg. of nicotine.




The average smoker receives 1 mg. of nicotine from each cigarette smoked. The average pack-a-day smoker inhales roughly 20 mg. daily. In NRT studies they are routinely assigned to the 21 mg. patch where they are expected to engage in weeks or months of gradual stepped-down weaning.




By contrast, the blood-serum of a cold turkey quitter is 100% nicotine free by day three and 90% of nicotine's metabolites have passed through their urine. It's then that withdrawal normally peaks in intensity and begins to gradually subside.




But what if their brain neurons were never allowed to sense and bathe in nicotine-free blood serum? What if instead they were forced to cope with from 1 to 3 mg. of nicotine contained in a placebo device?




How many pack-a-day smokers could sneak puffs from one to three cigarettes for weeks and still quit? Could it alter the intensity and/or duration of normal withdrawal, or even drive their spirit into the ground? Would it be honest to declare to the world that they had attempted to quit "on their own" and failed?




The average nicotine addict only musters the confidence to venture beyond their thick wall of protective denial and attempt a mad dash for freedom about once every three years. With smoking eventually claiming half of all adult smokers, each an average of about 14 years early, the number of attempts available to each of them is limited.




Prior to NRT's arrival local abrupt nicotine cessation programs in communities around the globe were routinely generating midyear rates of 20%, 30%, 40% and in some cases almost 50%.




In the 1990s the U.S. government invited eleven researchers with a history of financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry to join seven researchers with no known associations in rewriting and declaring U.S. cessation policy. In June 2000 the full panel published a revised U.S. Clinical Practice Guideline declaring NRT use a mandatory cessation recommendation.




The 2000 Guideline was a death sentence for many non-NRT quitting programs as they were no longer considered "science-based," were out-of-step with U.S. cessation policy, and, unless willing to play by new rules, no longer credible candidates for funding.




The pharmaceutical industry made billions while forcing short two to four-week cold turkey programs to accept quitters engaged in months of toying with nicotine weaning products. It made graduation day as disturbing as attending an AA meeting where everyone was drunk.




The American Cancer Society's 2003 Cancer Facts and Figures report indicates that 91.2% of all successful long-term quitters quit without the nicotine patch, gum, lozenge, inhaler, without Zyban or Wellbutrin, and without hypnosis or acupuncture. They did it entirely on their own. Shouldn't we be searching for and sharing their secrets?




The key to effective cessation isn't in renaming the addictive substance medicine, labeling its use therapy, pretending that those addicted to it can gradually wean themselves off, or in hiding true NRT performance rates while ignoring that the odds for second time users drop to near zero. It's in learning to fully and comfortably engage life without reaching for the addictive substance.




Education, understanding, new skills and solid support - the same tools enhancing success rates in all human endeavors - dramatically increase the prospects of nicotine dependency recovery. Isn't it time they regained center-stage and that pharmaceutical companies were sent back to the lab to find a magic cure with a bit lower failure rate than 93% for adults, 95% for youth and 100% for second time users?




John R. Polito. South Carolina nicotine cessation educator.




Posted by www.iwanttoquitsmoking.com

www.iwanttoquitsmoking.com thinks that the patch and gum are nonsense.

www.iwanttoquitsmoking.com

Nicotine Therapy is nonsense. It's a scam developed by Pfizer, Phillip Morris, and RJ Reynolds. Smoking cessation has become an $800,000 a year business in the USA. Pfizer, Phillip Morris, and RJ Reynolds are publicly traded companies that have a legal obligation to do one thing only: increase profits for the shareholders. Pfizer is a HUGE customer of Phillip Morris and RJ Reynolds. Where do you think they buy their nicotine? These three companies have invested millions getting the American public "hooked" on the concept of "Nicotine Therapy". PT Barnum said it best, "There's a Sucker Born Every Minute".

www.iwanttoquitsmoking.com

Nicorette (Pfizer) buys Nicotine from Phillip Morris and RJ Reynolds.

A Better Hope for Alcohol & Drug Problems

www.iwanttoquitsmoking.com the Stop Smoking Hypnosis people.

People with alcohol and drug problems have been done a disservice by being labeled "diseased." Although that viewpoint has helped caregivers become more compassionate, it has also given many people the mistaken belief that they cannot be helped. Dr. Larry Volz and his associates at The American Hypnosis Clinic believe that people who over-use alcohol and other drugs do so for reasons such as having a reward system or for escape and comfort from stress. Everyone is different - but in most cases these are normal and healthy needs… to relax, to get away from life and to treat your self. It's just the way that these needs were answered that has been their problem. Through individualized sessions that involve up to four different types of hypnosis, behavior modification and addiction education The American Hypnosis Clinic helps individuals get their addictive behaviors under control permanently by fulfilling those needs in healthy ways. Whether the compulsive behavior in question is smoking, comfort eating, a phobia or drug or alcohol addiction - they do it more quickly, more easily and with much better results than traditional programs. In fact, all of their programs are guaranteed for life. Dr Larry Volz can be reached for a personal appointment on through Healthy Life Centers at www.iwanttoquitsmoking.com/

posted by http://www.iwanttoquitsmoking.com/

Why this man doesn't want you to "quit" smoking?

www.iwanttoquitsmoking.com/ The Stop Smoking Hypnosis people.

When Aaron Kershaw, West1Media CEO, quit smoking using hypnosis we at Westchester1.com (a division of West1Media) became quite curious. We asked George Wissing, Westchester and Rockland's premier Smoking Cessation Specialist, how he helped Aaron "quit". Maybe we should have worded our question differently. Mr. Wissing stated, "We are not wired to "quit" or lose anything - our mind is designed to perform as reliably as gravity." The word "quit" does seem to be almost synonymous with stopping smoking so we were surprised that Mr. Wissing took exception to this word. He continued, "Your inner mind takes what we say very literally and words like "quit' and "lose" (referring to 'losing' weight) have negative meaning. We are taught to never quit. We like to win not lose. Your mind is more likely to support goals if they are worded in a more positive manner." Changing negatively worded goals to positive ones seems to be quite an easy thing to do. In other words it is better to set your goals in positive terms such as; "I am a non-smoker" or "I now live a healthy lifestyle". "Quitting and losing are synonymous with failure and can fight your inner nature," says Mr. Wissing. Certified by both the American Board of Hypnotherapy and the International Hypnosis Federation, Mr. Wissing sees clients in Westchester and Rockland for private hypnosis sessions. He helps people reduce weight, stop smoking, get over bad habits, relieve fears and even helps clients reduce chronic pain. But is it true that he can help people in only one hour? We checked this out with our CEO Aaron Kershaw. "When I first saw the brochure to 'Stop Smoking in One Hour' I laughed and laughed," said Mr. Kershaw. "But I finally made the call and after a one-hour session I haven't smoked a single cigarette since. I obviously believe in the cause." The American Medical Association has recognized hypnosis as a viable therapeutic technique for years but the advent of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) has taken hypnosis to a new level. Mr. Wissing explains, "We often talk to ourselves in quite a negative and unfocused manner. NLP uses positive and focused techniques to make positive change in our lives and behaviors." But how does Hypnosis and NLP work so quickly? Mr. Wissing explains, "Hypnosis and NLP are very efficient at breaking habits. The way your mind communicates to your body is usually unnoticed but becomes obvious (urges) when we want to change a habitual behavior. Once your mind changes, urges subside. It's that easy" Sounds like a winning strategy to us. Why not get the assistance you may need to stop smoking or make other positive changes in your life? Mr. Wissing can be reached for a personal appointment on through Healthy Life Centers at www.iwanttoquitsmoking.com/

by Kristene Schlitten posted by http://www.iwanttoquitsmoking.com/

Why is hypnosis most effective on children?

www.iwanttoquitsmoking.com. the Stop Smoking Hypnosis People

Why is hypnosis most effective on children? Children are in a constant state of hypnosis. Children live in their imaginations. As they play and dream they become pilots, dentists, firemen, astronauts, mothers: their worlds are unlimited and very real. Vivid imaginations and mental pictures make them ideal subjects for hypnosis, provided they are old enough to maintain an attention span. Most children I work with are six years and older. Many inhibitions, which later affect adults, will not have yet developed in children. They are open and moldable. Because of their ability to visualize and be creative the use of hypnotherapy can train their minds to focus and to feel calm in all environments. This is why hypnotherapy is so effective for children with ADHD. Children often enter hypnosis readily without outside influence. Imaginative play, fantasies, daydream, even punishments may involve automatic hypnosis. Strong criticism by parents or teachers can produce imprints in a child's mind that will create low self-esteem. Using hypnosis we can also help a child to feel better about themselves. The Signs of ADHD There are three major signs of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder): Distractibility - Inability to focus on one thing at a time, such as reading, listening to an instructor, playing a game, or doing any activity for long periods of time. Becoming distracted by noises, movement, smells, or their own thoughts. Hyperactivity - Marked by an excess of energy - talking non-stop, consistently moving, unable to sit still, sleeping only for short periods of time. Impulsivity - Acting without thinking, for example; running out in the street after a ball, knocking over a plant while running across the room or forgetting books on the way to school. To attain the best results possible with any ADHD treatment, some naturopaths recommend that the listener take daily supplements including: Omega 3 essential fatty acids, Zinc, Evening Primrose Oil, DMAE (highly recommended), Vitamin B6, Vitamin B3, Vitamin C and Gingko Biloba. In addition to supplements, we highly suggest restructuring the diet to remove sodas, anything with caffeine or high sugar content, and foods with high phosphate content (ham, bacon, wheat bread, milk, etc). Please remember to consult a physician or naturopath before taking supplements. They can direct you with the proper dosages. These are just a few ways of naturally helping an individual with ADHD. There are many books out their that provide teachers, parents and individuals' different techniques that can assist with the treatment of ADHD. Two books that I would suggest are "The Indigo Child" and "Left Brained Children in a Right Brained World" It is important to remember that hypnosis is not a substitution for medical treatment but a path that can help an individual to find more natural ways to healing.

Kim R. Zapf MHt
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Hypnosis, What it is and isn't............

www.iwanttoquitsmoking.com/ the Stop Smoking Hypnosis people.

There are many utilization's of hypnosis. Stage hypnotists use it overtly to impress the power of the unconscious mind to perform as directed. An example being that under hypnosis, you will cluck like a chicken or perform other behavior that you would not normally. While that is possible, it is only possible if your unconscious mind is open to the possibility of clucking like a chicken upon command.......... Hypnosis used in a therapeutic context consists of assisting clients to achieve career success, enhance self esteem, manage pain, relieve stress and change undesired behaviors. The list goes on and on, so you begin to get the picture that hypnosis is a tool to get the results you want in life. In fact hypnosis is widely used for habits such as stop smoking and weight reduction. Recent studies have been done on weight reduction indicating that hypnosis is the means to release weight and successfully keep it off. So it would seem that hypnosis is a magical tool that takes care of life's habits and behaviors when used appropriately. Oddly enough one of the misconceptions of hypnosis is that the client isn't required to participate other than to be present. In fact, the key ingredient that determines the success of hypnosis to achieve results is the willingness to change. Another common delusion is that one must be comatose or in a similar state of unconsciousness to be hypnotized. Amazing that the phrase 'unconscious mind' somehow translates to being U N C O N S C I O U S. Whereas in reality, a light state of trance will yield profound results. There is a further conception that not everyone can be hypnotized and the fact is that you can only be hypnotized if you can follow directions. That's right, just gently allow your eyes to close.................. For the profound results that can result from a hypnosis session, aren't you just a little curious to investigate the realms of your unconscious mind or to at least become conscious of it......... that's right... bring your unconscious mind with the rest of you and trust that the results you are seeking, to achieve the life you desire and deserve are within you...............

Veronica G. Hartman
posted by http://www.iwanttoquitsmoking.com/