Ways to Stop Smoking. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

There are many ways to stop smoking but they are not all equal in effectiveness. Let's take a closer look

Willpower Alone

I call this bad because the success rate is very low. When you think about it, it's obvious why. Going cold turkey, you will feel cravings almost immediately and require incredible willpower to get through the first week and month.

Very few people are successful with this method.

The Patch

I call this ugly because it deceives you into thinking that it is a good way to stop smoking.

What happens is that you come off the cigarettes and onto the patches. You then cut down on the patches over a period of 12 weeks.

Then you have the problem of coming off the patches.

This method is no different to cutting down on cigarettes and is designed to keep the drug companies in profit. Steer well clear of the patches.

Hypnosis

I would call this a moderately good method. Why?

Because, at first glance, it looks great. You see a hypnotist and they put you into a trance. During this trance, they give you various suggestions such as "incredible willpower" and "no cravings".

What then happens is that you are highly likely to stop smoking on the day of the hypnosis.

But you are also extremely likely to start again. After 6 months, over half of patients have started again. And after a year, it's over 80%.

You cannot call hypnosis a good method.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

This method is different. It's used for all sorts of other conditions such as phobias.

Think about this technique for a moment. If someone has an irrational fear of flying that they know is crazy but they can't help it, then CBT can help them. The therapist breaks down the irrational fear bit by bit until the person sees it for what it is - a totally irrational and illogical thing.

CBT is used in exactly the same way for smoking. There are many myths that you believe because you are a smoker and it is hard to convince you otherwise. But, bit by bit this can be broken down and your addiction quashed.

CBT is definitely a good method.

I quit smoking 25 a day over 8 years ago. If you're lazy and don't feel like quitting then don't visit my site, http://www.QuitSmokingWithJoe.com