Hypnotherapy and Stopping Smoking ~ Facts and Figures
Everybody knows that smoking is bad for the health. Many smokers really want to quit. This page has some scary statistics. But it’s main aim is to introduce hypnotherapy as a serious option to help smokers quit this addiction.
Some scary Facts and Figures
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that tobacco smoking is a major problem on a worldwide scale. Smoking tobacco killsnearly 6 million people per year .
Furthermore, around 600,000 deaths per year are caused as a result of secondhand smoke; or passive smoking. On a worldwide scale over a billion people smoke. Thus, one person dies every 6 seconds from a disease related to tobacco.
Sadly, it is now known; due to many years of research; that the link between smoking. Also, cancer is undeniable.
Furthermore, tobacco use is directly linked with:-
- Heart disease
- Cardiovascular Disease: including stroke and peripheral artery disease.
- Lung Cancer
- Diabetes
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). These include conditions such as emphysema as well as chronic bronchitis
Furthermore, in the United Kingdom alone; smoking is responsible for more than 1 in 4 deaths by cancer. In addition, smoking is an overall factor in nearly a fifth of all cancer cases.
Lastly, in the United States it is estimated that more than 16 million Americans have a disease that is directly related to smoking.
Not surprisingly, smoking has been identified as a major risk factor in several different types of cancer including:-
- Lung
- Larynx
- Oesophagus
- Mouth
- Throat
- Kidney
- Bladder
- Stomach
- Cervix
- Pancreas
Again, It is estimated by the World Health Organization (WHO) that about 70% of the lung cancer burden can be attributed to smoking alone.
Quitting Nicotine: How difficult it is?
Despite the fact that many smokers really would like to quit; nicotine; which is an extremely addictive substance found in cigarettes; makes stopping smoking very difficult.
Interestingly, recent research has shown that there is a marked decrease in the level of monoamine oxidase levels in smokers. Monoamine oxidase is an enzyme responsible for the breakdown of dopamine.
So, as part of the addiction cycle; this results in higher levels of dopamine; which reinforce the desire for cigarettes.
This process is likely due to an ingredient other than nicotine that is found in cigarettes. Nicotine itself increases levels of dopamine; which affects brain pathways that control pleasure and reward.
In many long term cigarettes smokers changes to the brain pathways contribute to the addiction; as well as compulsion to smoke despite full knowledge on a rational level of the serious adverse health effects.
The cost of Smoking
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the total cost to the United States of smoking is more than 300 billion dollars a year. A 176 billion of this is directly for medical care.
With statistics such as this; it would stand to reason that all avenues of exploration to help smokers to quit must be explored.
Hypnotherapy for Stopping Smoking
In a meta-analysis of 59 studies on hypnotherapy and stopping smoking Green concluded that; although,
Hypnosis cannot; as yet be regarded; as a well-established treatment for smoking cessation.
Nevertheless, it seems justified to classify hypnosis as a “possibly efficacious”
treatment for smoking cessation
In a study by Elkins thirty smokers were given 3 hypnotherapy treatments to help them stop smoking. At the end of the treatment; 81% reported that they had stopped smoking; and 48% were still not smoking a year later.
Another study by Carmody concluded that hypnosis; especially when combined with Nicotine replacement products compares favourably with standard behavioural counselling.
Clinical studies into Hypnotherapy and Stopping Smoking
Early studies suggest that hypnosis; particularly when combined with other treatments; could be very beneficial in the area of stopping smoking.
As in other cases, not enough reliable, clinical studies have been carried out into the area of hypnosis and the possible benefits.
It would be interesting to see how hypnosis fares both as a stand alone treatment and in combination with other more established methods.
The lack of clinical research is surprising especially when one considers the cost; both personally and to health services.
Unfortunately, at the present time hypnosis is not an approved therapy by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Due to the complex issues involved in the habit of cigarette smoking; early studies seem to indicate that a combination of techniques may be the best solution; as different people will respond to different stimuli.
If you are interested in stopping smoking ask your family medical practitioner about the availability of hypnosis in your area.
Click on the link for a superb example of a very effective Stop Smoking Hypnotic Script (with analysis) – just reading it will help
Further reading links on smoking and health. Further links to referenced publications on hypnotherapy working for smoking cessation.
