Many people all over the world suffer from health problems caused by their addiction to smoking. Not only the respiratory system and the heart are affected by this, but also the financial situation of smokers in certain countries with high tobacco taxes are influenced. Due to those reasons, many smokers are trying to overcome their addiction. The purpose of this study is to find out how psychological and medical approaches can be successfully used to quit smoking. It should explain how the methods work and what former smokers that have used those techniques experienced with them. .
The classical means of smoking cessation are medical treatments. They vary from laser therapy to drugs that substitute Nicotine and other ingredients of cigarettes. The psychological approaches to quit smoking have gained more popularity in the last few years. Especially hypnosis is often considered as a very effective method to overcome smoking. Also acupuncture can be seen as a psychological approach since it affects the mind and not the body. In comparison to medical approaches, hypnosis and acupuncture cannot impact the body. It can also be cheaper than a laser therapy for example. However, not every individual is receptive for hypnosis and acupuncture. This makes the medical methods more reliable. The central issue is, that every smoker who wants to overcome his addiction should try different methods, both psychological and medical. .
Further Examination & Discussion .
The main issue about smoking cessation aided by hypnosis is the fact that not every patient is receptive for this therapy. As H. Sutcher (2008) states, there are several stages of hypnotizability of an individual: high, medium, low or even non-hypnotizable. If applicable hypnosis is very effective, as research has shown. In his report about an uncontrolled case series in 2004, D.C. Hammond observed an individualized, 3-session hypnosis program that was executed with 30 smokers.
