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SMOKING CESSATION
A
Psychotherapist's View on
Quitting -
Interview
From the Psychotherapist: Dr. Randy
Gilchrist on Quitting
Randy, you
have worked with people to overcome their
bad habits, especially smoking. Can you tell
me why people continue to smoke even though
they know that this is slowly eroding their
health?
There are two main reasons as I understand
it. First, smoking is a stubborn habit that
naturally connects with many everyday
activities, times of day, social
interactions, and emotional states that
continually "trigger" the urge to
smokeoften at an unconscious level. In this
way, smoking becomes like a reliable, old
friend that offers relaxation, comfort, and
focus with every interaction (puff). It's
like the old song goes"breaking up is hard
to do."
Second, smoking acts as an addiction as
well. Because the body and mind become used
to the "rush" from regular nicotine fixes,
quitting can immediately trigger strong and
uncomfortable physical and psychological
withdrawal cravings to pressure a return to
smoking. This discomfort can last for
several weeks or even months. Typical
withdrawal symptoms include irritability,
restlessness, sadness, nervousness,
coughing, a slight sore throat,
constipation, insomnia, fatigue, difficulty
concentrating, a decreased heart rate,
and/or an increased appetite. With all of
this, it's no wonder most people have a hard
time quitting on their own!
If there were three things that a cigarette
smoker could right now to help them drop the
habit, what would they be?
First, smokers should immediately have a
physical examination with their primary care
physician to learn the extent to which
smoking has already begun to affect their
health. An examination should also include
recommendations to do to start reversing any
present damage. This one is essential.
Second, ask several supportive,
understanding family members and friends to
give the emotional encouragement and
listening ears you'll need during your
change process. Make sure these supportive
people aren't smokers themselves. It can be
hard to quit with someone always lighting up
in front of you!
Third, get healthier! Strategically improve
your diet, exercise, and sleeping patterns.
Study it. Plan it. Do it. Because quitting
smoking can involve temporary lapses in
energy, lowered concentration, and increased
moodiness, you will need to take better care
of yourself to replace your "nicotine highs"
with "natural highs" and better
self-control. Healthier living is what makes
this possible. Remember, there are no
feelings that nicotine gives you that the
brain can't also generate through healthier
means. You just need to plan more, be
creative, and commit to the process.
Randy Gilchrist, Psy.D., is a fully
qualified psychotherapist with a masters
degree and license in marriage and family
therapy, and a doctoral degree and license
in clinical psychology. He specializes in
strategic multi-session hypnosis programs
for complex issues such as smoking
cessation, and is the creator of The
Non-Smoker's Edge, published by The Hypnosis
Network.
Interview copyright 2007 The Hypnosis
Network.
We're impressed by the research on hypnosis
for quitting smoking. This is because we
have seen that the long term success rate of
hypnosis eclipses that of other methods. And
right now the Hypnosis Network is offering a
great deal for our readers - $50 off the
regular price. You can get the whole program
(7 CDs) for only $99.
To learn more about Dr. Gilchrist's 7-CD
program:
CLICK HERE!
Smoking Cessation
Get the
Non-Smoker's Edge and quit smoking for good.
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