Some Basic Stop Smoking FACTS

• Most smokers want to stop smoking
• About 90% of smokers cite health reasons as their prime motivator
• Although financial reasons only are cited by the next group, this group rarely quits smoking
• 50% of smokers will make at least one attempt to stop smoking each year
• British Studies show that only about 2-3% of smokers succeed without help

Hypnotherapy has a high success rate: "It is the most effective way of giving up smoking, according to the largest ever scientific comparison of ways of breaking the habit." - New Scientist v136.

In 1992 New Scientist Magazine published the results of an extensive clinical study on the most effective methods of quitting smoking. By statistically combining the results of more than 600 studies (over 72,000 individual cases) their analysis indicated that single session hypnosis increased a smoker's success chance by 1000% from 6% to 60%. The study indicated the following success rates for four different quitting methods:

• 60% - Single session Hypnosis
• 24% - Acupuncture
• 10% - Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)
• 6% - Willpower Alone

Why quit smoking?

• It is never too late to stop.
• Every form of smoking, including smoking marijuana, causes lung damage, which will often not become evident until later in life.
• It is estimated that after the age of 35-40 years, smokers lose 3 months of life expectancy for each year of smoking.
• Non smokers are happier people in the long term.
• Nicotine narrows your blood vessels thus decreasing blood and oxygen flow.
• Nicotine also increases the amount of deposits that build up on the inside walls of your arteries. This increases your blood pressure and can lead to chronic blood clots. High blood pressure and blocked arteries are both high risk factors for heart disease and stroke.

Immediate reasons to stop smoking

• Foul breath
• Stained teeth
• Obnoxious smells in clothes, hair and on skin
• Reduced physical and exercise performace
• Reduced sexual pleasure
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Increased heart rate
• Raised blood pressure and hypertension
• Financial

Long term benefits include

• Reduced risk of gum disease
• Reduced risk of cancer
• Reduced risk of heart disease
• Reduced risk of lung disease causing breathing problems
• Reduced time off work
• Reduced unhealthy wrinkly skin
• Reduced risk of ulcers
• Reduced risk of low birth weights and other physiological damage to babies of pregnant women who smoke
• As a positive role model for children and young people

Time line of benefits of stopping smoking

• 8 hours - Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in blood reduce by half, oxygen levels return to normal. Circulation improves.
• 24 hours - Carbon monoxide and nicotine eliminated from the body.
• 48 hours - The deterioration in lung function and greater risk of lung cancer is stopped.
• 1 month - Overall appearance improves; skin gains healthy colour and shows less wrinkles, further damage is curtailed.
• 3 - 9 months - Coughs and wheezing reduced
• 1 year - The risk of a heart attack reduced by as much as half compared to that of a smoker.
• 15 years - Risk of heart attack now at the same level as that of a person who has never smoked

The Virtual Hypnosis Method

We at Alpha Hypnotics utilize the Virtual Hypnosis® method together with Ericsonian Hypnosis, Ideo-Ego Dynamics® and Emotional Freedom technique.

How is the program different?

The program offered by Virtual Hypnosis® differs in that it delves into both the subconscious and conscious mind and addresses the problem from within. It deals with the reasons why you smoke and helps you to reprogram your thinking about smoking rather than simply trying to deal with the symptoms only.

How long is the program?

You should be prepared to present for a number of sessions to complete the program - quit smoking programs for most people need to be intensive for a positive outcome. Your commitment to stop smoking is a prerequisite as is a definitive mind set to be a "non smoker". You need a genuine reason to want to quit smoking such as: health, personal happiness, fitness, improved life style or medical necessity. Hypnotherapy is a process that can be effective for you to overcome cravings, desires and triggers that manifest the addiction to smoking. You should be prepared to attend a number of sessions of at lest 60 minutes. The initial session may last up to 90 minutes allowing time for your therapist to conduct tests, obtain details relative to your smoking habits and to initiate therapy.

The Virtual Hypnosis® quit smoking program in conjunction with other therapeutic practices used by your therapist is a highly successful program for many persons wishing to quit smoking permanently.

Fee

The fee for the special Virtual Hypnosis program with all accompanying therapy is set at $160 per session.

Many smoking clients find they need only one visit to quit. Some patients will require more sessions due to the level of nicotine addiction or other issues.