A 33-year-old individual, who started smoking at 14 and at their peak consumed 40 cigarettes daily, successfully quit their habit after a single two-hour therapy session. Over the years, the individual attempted to quit multiple times without success, attributing their addiction to stress and lifestyle factors, including poker and drinking habits during university.
The therapy session, costing £320 (equivalent to two and a half months of cigarettes at the time), combined 90 minutes of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with 30 minutes of hypnotherapy. The CBT component focused on identifying and restructuring thought patterns related to cravings, reframing negative self-talk, and understanding that willpower is finite. The hypnotherapy aimed to address subconscious habits, providing a guided meditation to visualize a future without smoking.
A key insight from the therapist was that while smokers believe nicotine relaxes them, it's actually a stimulant, and the perceived relaxation comes from deep breathing. This led to the practical tip of taking a deep breath instead of smoking when urges arise. The individual also learned to distinguish between habitual smoking and addiction, acknowledging themselves as an addict. Despite successfully navigating triggers like arguments, social situations, and even a trip to Paris, the individual admits to still experiencing cravings and thoughts of returning to smoking, emphasizing that addiction is ongoing, but managing it through breathing techniques has been life-changing.
