Acupuncture or hypnosis to stop a bad habit?

[suesinfl]

I'm serious this time to stop smoking, but I can't seem to do it on my own. I refuse to use Chantix(?), nicotine gum/patches have not worked.

Does anyone have any experience with acupuncture or hypnosis to quit smoking?

[Deleted]

I do not. But, my mom quit using the nicotine patches and gum years ago. I have heard some of these other things work for some. I think the main thing is to set your goal in that direction and keep working towards that until you find what works for you. And, don't get an "all or nothing" mindset. I think some people set themselves up for failure by thinking that if they have a cig one day that they "blew it" and then just give up and give in. There are always some setbacks along the way. Sometimes it is two steps forward and one back. And, you may find that going cold turkey works for you or maybe you need time to wean yourself down. The main thing is the long term end goal. Good luck.

[suesinfl]

thanks shooby, I also know that I need to be more aware of when I light up.....the first cup of coffee in the morning on the porch having a beer after working in the yard, etc. I'm going to try to have my coffee in the house, making sure that I have a non-alcoholic drink ready available after yard work, staying inside during my breaks and lunch at work, etc.

Stress is the biggest factor, every time I've tried to quit, something stressful happens and the first thing I want is a smoke. I know that I should do something physical instead, but that usually doesn't happen.

[Genuine GA Peach]

I've never smoked, but I do know that you have to replace a bad habit with a good habit. And I think quiting smoking works better if you can keep your hands busy. What about brushing and flossing instead of reaching for a cig? Or drinking a glass of water?

maybe doing these carpal tunnel exercises? They are GREAT by the way!

[shelby]

Yes the average number of attempts before someone stays quit is over 6 times. Nothing is a failure as long as you keep trying. Even cutting down and setting a date is an accomplishment......Good luck.

[egginbonce]

Hi Suesinflu....................Im sure youve heard it before, but firstly its worth saying that people who say they want to stop smoking, mostly dont; they WANT to want to stop smoking,if u see what I mean,and theres all the difference in the world between the two things.
Next comes the search for ideas to 'make it easy',often with no success, as nothing can do it for you,and nothing can make you want to stop if you dont(be honest with yourself here).
If you want to 'play about' with the process of stopping, acupuncture is as good as anything, but its a bit like a kid who wont eat his greens trying firstly the spoon, then the fork, then the fingers, etc, rather than just EATING it.
So...............ask yourself if you do want to stop(if you really do, you wont need to ask yourself),and then dont give your habit the dignity of your effort- just dont do it anymore;dont count the days from when you last had a smoke(thats just playing about too),and dont see yourself as an ex-smoker- just get on with your life without it..............OK?

[egginbonce]

Anyone else for some counselling?................Eggys advice centre.always on call for those personal emergencies 4 hours a day;7 days a week...............bored housewives a speciality!
felicitations to all..........PS........heard dads was on here, and couldnt resist seeing what the old perv was up to now....................................

[Colleenz]

Hypnosis worked great for me. I was not a heavy smoker, and I wanted to get pregnant so I had good motivation. I fell asleep to that tape (cassette tape tells you how long ago) for weeks.

[Jaguar]

Aug 10, 2012 2:39:30 GMT -5 egginbonce said:

Anyone else for some counselling?................Eggys advice centre.always on call for those personal emergencies 4 hours a day;7 days a week...............bored housewives a speciality!
felicitations to all..........PS........heard dads was on here, and couldnt resist seeing what the old perv was up to now....................................

Namaste Eggy, you being silly again ~

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

Does anyone have any experience with acupuncture or hypnosis to quit smoking?

I do - I did the hypnosis method - and stayed off cigarettes for about 10 years.(The hypno-therapist also gave me some tapes to listen to for when I got cravings to help me if needed once the sessions were completed).

If not for a couple of very traumatic & stressful events about 3 yrs ago that caused me to relapse, I'd still be 100% smoke-free.

Since that time, I've weaned myself down again (with willpower and the use of the tapes) and Im now down again from 1 1/2 pks daily to about 4 total cigarettes a day. I seem to only crave one now in the morning and just before bed. Once I get over those two little hurdles, I think I'll be smoke-free once again - and for good this time.


Good luck to you.

[weltschmerz]

Does anyone have any experience with acupuncture or hypnosis to quit smoking?
-----------
I tried acupuncture. It worked for a few days.

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

You need to keep your hands (and mind) occupied so you're not thinking about it.

When I quit (for those 10+ years), I used the tapes (as mentioned above after the hypno-therapy was completed), but I also kept my hands and mind busy by crocheting. I think I made about 6 very intricate crocheted afghans that first year - most of which have been given away as gifts.

I had to concentrate on following the pattern exactly, and counting stitches/rows to create the designs and switch between colors.

You could pick any hobby that needs the use of your hands plus concentration - woodworking, painting, crafting jewelery, whatever.

[Artemis Windsong]

I went through every program offered in this area to try to quit smoking. When I did quit, I realized I was training myself in areas of behavior modification and control methods. This was before nicotine gum and other helps were available.

My last and final step was to get an electric wand to close certain valves in my body that nicotine opens. The treatment was at a chiropractors office. I could only have this procedure twice. The first procedure worked for about 4 days and I had to have a cigarette. I went back in for the second treatment. I knew this was my last chance.

It worked. I did use the tools and tricks I learned from all my training. Ultimately my quitting came down to the Heavenly Father released me from the bondage.

The big helps were, I could stop and wait until the craving passed at those habitual times of day. I didn't work at a high stress job but worked part time. I could ride my bicycle all day if I needed to. My DH didn't mind my strange eating habits. I stayed away from alcohol and anyone who smoked for years afterward. I stayed away from the phone.

I had to relearn how to live my life without cigarettes. I had to accept that my metabolism would slow down and I would put on weight. I used cigarettes for emotional coping and to reduce my appetite

It's the hardest thing you will ever do. It's a long process and you have to go through a full year, a death or other stressor in the family and other emotional times without starting again.

People who have never been addicted to cigarettes think you just quit and it's over. No it's not. You will dream of smoking for a long time. Your brain has to rebuild connectors that the nicotine had bridged for so many years.

Best wishes on this path.