Smoking and vaping are two prevalent habits that many individuals seek to overcome. While they share similarities, they also possess distinct differences that can influence the approach to cessation.
Smoking involves the inhalation of smoke from burning tobacco. This smoke contains thousands of chemicals, many of which are harmful to the body. Nicotine, the addictive substance in tobacco, is absorbed into the bloodstream through the lungs, leading to physical dependence and a range of health issues, including respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and various cancers.
Vaping, on the other hand, involves inhaling vapour produced by an electronic device, such as an e-cigarette, which heats a liquid (often containing nicotine, flavourings, and other chemicals) to create an aerosol. While vaping is often marketed as a safer alternative to smoking, it still poses health risks, particularly due to the presence of nicotine and other potentially harmful substances.
Switch-Up Hypnotherapy offers a supportive, evidence-based approach to help people stop smoking and vaping for life. The journey to breaking free from nicotine can be challenging, and the reasons behind this difficulty often trace back to physical addiction, psychological habits, and emotional attachments to the behaviours. Hypnotherapy, however, provides a distinctive solution, going beyond the surface to address the subconscious drivers of nicotine use, unlike common methods like nicotine replacement, medications, or “cold turkey.”
Why Is It Hard to Stop Smoking and Vaping?
You're finding it hard to stop vaping or smoking cigarettes for several reasons, many of which are rooted in the psychological aspects of nicotine addiction:
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Nicotine addiction: Nicotine is a highly addictive substance found in cigarettes and vapes. When people smoke, nicotine stimulates the release of dopamine in the brain, which creates feelings of pleasure and reward, but it's very short-lived; so it's also a chemical of motivation, rather than contentment. Over time, the subconscious mind becomes convinced that nicotine is providing some benefits, so it locks in the habit that leads to addiction. Withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, and cravings make it challenging to quit, and these are caused by the subconscious mind trying to get you to complete the pattern of behaviour that it has locked in to realise the benefit of pleasure or reward of a dopamine hit.
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Habitual behaviour: Smoking often becomes deeply ingrained in your daily routine and habits. You may associate smoking with specific activities, friends and family, situations, or emotions, making it challenging to break the habit.
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Emotional Connection: Smoking and vaping can be coping mechanisms for stress, anxiety, or boredom. Emotional ties make it hard to simply “decide” to stop, as the habit may serve as an escape or comfort during stressful times.
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Social and environmental factors: Smoking and vaping is often a social activity, and you may have friends, family members, or colleagues who smoke. Being around smokers or in environments where smoking is common can trigger cravings and make quitting more difficult.
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Coping mechanism: Some people use cigarettes or vapes as a way to cope with stress, anxiety, or other emotional issues. One thing that most smokers do when they are smoking or vaping - is breathe deeply and slowly. You may rely on smoking as a way to self-soothe, making it harder to quit without finding alternative coping strategies.
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Fear of weight gain: You may be concerned about gaining weight when you quit smoking because nicotine can suppress appetite and increase metabolism. The fear of weight gain can be a significant barrier to quitting. Using conscious willpower alone (or going “cold turkey”) can often lead to weight gain, because the next easiest way to respond to the subconscious impulse for instant gratification is to put some food in your mouth (often convenience foods, which are high-calorie).
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Lack of support: Stopping smoking is often more successful when you have a support system in place, such as friends, family, or me as a trained professional. Without support, you may feel isolated and struggle to stay motivated.
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Misconceptions about quitting: You may believe that quitting smoking is an all-or-nothing process and fear that you will never be able to enjoy life without cigarettes, especially if you feel the need to avoid people and situations where there will be smoking accessible. These misconceptions can be discouraging and hinder your quit attempts.
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Fear of failure: Previous failed attempts to quit smoking can lead to a sense of hopelessness and a fear of trying again. This fear of failure can be demotivating or even depressing. I can work with you on anxiety and depression in the same session.
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Immediate vs. long-term rewards: Smoking provides immediate gratification, such as stress relief or a temporary mood boost. The long-term health benefits of quitting may not be as immediately apparent, making it challenging to prioritise long-term health over short-term satisfaction.
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Maybe you just haven't tried the right methods: While there are various smoking cessation methods available, not all of them work equally well for everyone. Finding the right method or combination of methods that work for you can be a trial-and-error process.
It's important to recognise that quitting smoking is a challenging process, and relapses are common. However, with my proven methods and strategies, I have personally helped over 800 people successfully stop smoking for life.
Why do you find it so hard to quit smoking and vaping?
Research shows that 68% of smokers have tried to quit without success. Everyone knows cigarettes are not good for them. Everyone knows they are outrageously expensive. People who vape are starting to realise that they have swapped one addiction for an even more powerful one.
So, why do people continue to smoke and vape?
And why is it so hard for so many people to quit cigarettes and vaping?
So many smokers want to quit but they either don’t, or they can’t.
Many smokers thought that vaping would help them quit, but have found that vaping is even more addictive!
Why is that?
We are all different but our reasons are often similar:
• It is too difficult to find the willpower.
• The withdrawals are too uncomfortable to go through.
• Life is too stressful and cigarettes help relieve the stress.
• Worried about having cravings.
• Worried about gaining weight.
• Get short tempered and feel cranky.
• Can’t break the addiction.
The fact is simply that - smoking and vaping is not under our conscious control.
Consciously we tell ourselves that we are not going to smoke or vape anymore, but those subconscious patterns, triggers, and habits just kick in and we have no control over them.
If you really ask yourself, “How many cigarettes a day do I actually enjoy?” your answer is probably, “Very few… Perhaps none.”
You vape and smoke the majority of your cigarettes almost subconsciously. It just happens. And when you really think about it, you don’t even enjoy most of them.
Smoking or vaping is something your subconscious mind simply does automatically. It is a habit triggered by your unconscious patterns.
The only way to quit is to change that habit and alter those patterns.
You can do that by using all your willpower and going ‘cold turkey’ or you can do it the easy way with hypnosis. The only way to stop cigarettes and vaping long term is to deal with your own individual reason, patterns and triggers.
Most People Have Tried To Quit Cigarettes and Vaping Many Times
So what happened?
• It was too hard to deal with the withdrawal symptoms
• Couldn’t handle the cravings.
• Stopped smoking or vaping and started gaining weight
• Thought one wouldn’t hurt – but it did.
• Had a stressful situation.
• Had a social situation & a few drinks!
• Or some other reason?
The "Stop Smoking - and Vaping - for Life" process eliminates the withdrawals that people generally attribute to nicotine and addresses all the common reasons / excuses.
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No cravings.
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No withdrawals.
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Learning new ways to deal with old stresses.
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And many people actually lose weight and ‘springboard’ themselves into a healthier, happier lifestyle once they use this solution to quit cigarettes.
You will love the feeling of being a non-smoker and free from vaping; and you will be amazed at how easily achievable it is using our advanced hypnosis techniques.
Experience all the advantages of stopping NOW.
• Better Health.
• More energy
• Improved fitness and vitality
• More money to spend on better things.
• A wonderful sense of achievement.
• Improved sense of smell and taste.
• Peace of mind
What are the least effective methods to quit smoking?
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Cold Turkey (Abruptly quitting without assistance):
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Effectiveness: Cold turkey is often considered one of the least effective methods for quitting smoking. Research suggests that only about 3-5% of individuals who attempt to quit smoking using this method are successful in the long term.
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Reasons: Quitting abruptly without any support or structured plan can be overwhelming and may lead to intense withdrawal symptoms, making it difficult to stay smoke-free. It requires a significant amount of willpower and may result in high relapse rates.
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Gradual Reduction (Cutting down slowly):
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Effectiveness: Gradual reduction has shown limited effectiveness, with only about 10-15% of individuals successfully quitting smoking using this method.
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Reasons: Gradual reduction may not provide a strong enough break from nicotine addiction, and it prolongs the quitting process. It can also be challenging to stick to a gradual reduction plan, and it might not address the psychological and behavioural aspects of smoking addiction effectively.
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Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) without Behavioural Support:
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Effectiveness: While NRT can be helpful, using it without additional behavioural support has shown limited success in quitting smoking. Success rates vary but are generally lower compared to using NRT with behavioural counselling.
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Reasons: NRT helps manage withdrawal symptoms by providing a controlled dose of nicotine, but without behavioural support, individuals may struggle to address the psychological and habitual aspects of smoking, which are critical for long-term success.
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Self-Help Materials without Support:
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Effectiveness: Using self-help materials (books, websites, apps) without any additional support or guidance has shown relatively low success rates, typically less than 5-10%.
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Reasons: Stopping smoking and vaping - for life requires more than just information; it requires ongoing support, coping strategies, and accountability. Self-help materials alone may not provide sufficient motivation or strategies to overcome the addiction successfully.
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Isn't Vaping OK though?
Why do people vape?
Most people who take up vaping are smokers trying to reduce their risk of harm from smoking.
In Australia in 2019, smokers gave the following reasons for taking up vaping (could select more than one response) according to the 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey:
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To quit smoking 44%
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To reduce smoking 32%
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To avoid relapse to smoking 23%
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Because they are less harmful 27%
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They are cheaper 23%
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44% of smokers said curiosity was a factor in their decision to try vaping.
How many Australians vape?
In 2019, 520,000 Australians aged 14 and older, or 2.5% of the population, were vaping i.e. had vaped at least once in the past 12 months (2019 NDSHS).
This was made up of:
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281,300 current smokers (“dual users”)
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198,000 ex-smokers
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43,000 never-smokers
Vaping rates were highest in young adults and gradually decreased with age.
Men are slightly more likely to vape than women.
Vaping rates in Australia are low by international standards due to legal restrictions and opposition from medical and health organisations, but are now starting to rapidly rise.
References:
Australia NDSHS 2019; Sweden Hedman 2018; Germany Kotz 2018; Finland Ruokolainen 2017; EU Eurobarometer 458 2017; US Dai, JAMA NHIS 2019; Canada CTADS 2017; NZ Health Survey 2018/19; France Pasquereau 2018; Greece Farsalinos 2018; GB Office of National Statistics 2018.
Is vaping legal in Australia?
It is possible to vape legally in Australia with a nicotine prescription from a doctor. However, most people who vape in Australia do not have a prescription and are therefore breaking the law. Australia is the only western democracy to effectively ban the sale and use of nicotine liquid for vaping.
Nicotine is classified as a Schedule 7 ‘dangerous poison’ in the Poisons Standard, like arsenic and strychnine. However, at present, people can legally import nicotine from overseas to help them quit or reduce smoking if they have a prescription. Under the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) Personal Importation Scheme, 3 months’ supply can be imported at a time for personal use.
There are severe penalties (up to $45,000 and up to two years jail) for using or possessing liquid nicotine unless it is prescribed by a doctor to help you quit or cut down smoking. Less than 1-2% of Australians who vape have a prescription. State and Territory laws regulate issues such as sale, use in public places, age limits on sale, display and promotion of vapourisers.
References: https://asaca.org.au/faqs
So, is vaping a good way to quit smoking?
An e-cigarette's battery-powered heating elements turn addictive liquid nicotine, which can come in various flavors and added chemicals, into a vapour that users inhale. Unfortunately, business is booming. While vaping is often seen as a potential alternative to smoking, there are several compelling reasons why it is not the ideal solution. In fact, vaping may have more adverse consequences than you might think:
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Unknown Long-Term Health Effects: Vaping is a relatively new trend, and the long-term health consequences are not well understood. Smoking, while unquestionably harmful, has decades of research behind it, allowing us to make informed decisions about its risks.
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Nicotine Dependency: Many e-cigarettes contain high levels of nicotine, which can be even more addictive than traditional tobacco products. It's essential to break free from nicotine addiction, not transfer it to a different delivery method.
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Vaping-Related Illnesses: Over the past few years, there have been numerous reports of severe lung injuries associated with vaping, commonly referred to as EVALI or "e-cigarette and vaping-associated lung injury". These incidents underscore the potential dangers of vaping.
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Gateway to Smoking: Studies have suggested that vaping can serve as a gateway to smoking for young people. If you are considering quitting smoking, vaping may not be a safe or effective way to achieve this goal, and provides a bad example for the young people in your life.
Even more troubling is research showing the year-to-year increase in vaping among teenagers, according to the Monitoring the Future Survey conducted by the University of Michigan.
“Increases in adolescent vaping from 2017 to 2018 were the largest ever recorded in the past 43 years for any adolescent substance abuse outcome in the U.S.,” the survey found.
It is also important to note that vaping is encouraging children to become addicted to nicotine at much earlier ages than were seen in children who use cigarettes. The flavours used in e-cigarettes can be particularly appealing to young people, and the addictive nature of nicotine can quickly turn a one-time experiment into a long-term addiction. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), e-cigarette use among high school students in the US increased from 1.5% in 2011 to 27.5% in 2019. In the UK, the rates rose from 6% in 2018 to 9% in 2021.
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Unregulated Products: The vaping industry is still largely unregulated, leading to inconsistencies in product quality and safety. Smoking cessation programs, on the other hand, adhere to strict guidelines and are led by professionals who have your best interests at heart.
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No Proven Success: Unlike evidence-based smoking cessation programs, the effectiveness of vaping as a long-term solution to quitting smoking remains questionable.
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Vaping's Quick and Easy Delivery: Vaping's quick and easy delivery method can make it even more addictive than smoking. The convenience of vaping leads to more frequent use, making it harder to reduce your nicotine intake. The constant ‘topping up’ behaviours where people regularly take a puff from their e-cigarette (even during the night) means that there are potentially consistently higher levels of nicotine in their body as compared to those seen in cigarette smokers. This is especially concerning within young people, as nicotine addiction can cause long-term damage to the developing brain. This makes it all the more important to quit sooner rather than later.
In Australia, it's illegal to buy or sell nicotine for use in e-cigarettes, so most people purchase it online from countries like New Zealand. Most states also ban the possession of liquid nicotine without a prescription. From October 2021, it will also be illegal to import nicotine from overseas without a prescription.
The TGA says this is due to public health concerns, as well as the risk of non-smoking young people taking up smoking in future.
Dr Gary Chan, senior research fellow at the National Centre for Youth Substance Use Research, says it's important to address these concerns.
"We don't want to promote vaping among young people … it actually doesn't matter whether vaping will lead to smoking, this is not a good thing. We don't want to see our kids getting addicted to nicotine."
He says while vaping is less harmful than smoking, it's not harmless, and the appropriate policies need to be in place to prevent uptake in non-smokers.
References:
https://www.abc.net.au/everyday/can-vaping-help-you-quit-smoking/100137724
https://monitoringthefuture.org/
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/vaping-time-bomb-can-hypnotherapy-help-peter-mabbutt/
Does vaping help people quit smoking?
Vaping is more effective than nicotine replacement therapy (patches, gums, lozenges). Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) show that vaping helps smokers quit in a controlled environment more effectively than nicotine patches and gums (NRT). A study from the UK found that vaping was almost twice as effective as NRT after 12 months. Another large study from New Zealand showed that adding vaping to a nicotine patch tripled the success rate after 6 months compared to using the patch alone. Three meta-analyses of the best quality RCTs (pooling the data from all studies) all concluded that vaping was 70% more effective than nicotine replacement as a quitting aid.
Most smokers realise now that in reality, they gave up one old addiction and ended up creating another, even more powerful, addiction. Even though vaping does away with the harmful tar of cigarettes, you are still inhaling dangerous chemicals like acetaldehyde, acrolein, and formaldehyde. And you're still inhaling nicotine, which is the most addictive chemical in cigarettes and vaping.
It is more powerful because, at the time, vapes were more acceptable and all the publicity told us that e-cigarettes were much better for us. And for a while, it seemed as though you could have your cake and eat it too. But the manufacturers, the retailers, and even some of the medics who recommended vaping were unwittingly deceiving you because you now know how harmful these products really are. Perhaps it's the subconscious belief that "it's not as bad as smoking". Or maybe the convenience and efficiency of the delivery mechanism and the lack of offensive smell. Whatever it is, most ex-smokers report that they vape far more than they used to smoke, and they find it much harder to stop.
My "Stop Smoking - and Vaping - for Life!" program has helped hundreds of Queenslanders achieve their goal of a smoke-free life. It is designed to provide you with the support and guidance you need to stop smoking and vaping successfully - for life, without relying on unproven methods like vaping.
Why Vaping Isn’t an Effective Way to Stop Smoking
Vaping is often marketed as a safer alternative to smoking, but research shows that it is not an effective cessation tool for several reasons:
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Maintains Nicotine Addiction: Vaping still delivers nicotine, sustaining the physical dependency rather than reducing it.
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Risk of Dual Use: Many people end up using both cigarettes and vaping devices, maintaining or even increasing nicotine intake rather than reducing it.
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Psychological Dependency: Vaping sustains the hand-to-mouth habit associated with smoking, which can be challenging to break once established.
For these reasons, vaping may not be a beneficial long-term solution for quitting smoking. Instead, addressing both physical and psychological dependencies through hypnotherapy offers a more effective route to sustainable change.
Why Hypnotherapy Works Better Than Other Methods
Research shows that hypnotherapy can be more effective for smoking cessation than many traditional methods because it directly engages with your subconscious—the part of your mind that controls habits, cravings, and motivations. Here’s why it works:
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Addresses Root Triggers: Hypnotherapy tackles the underlying emotional and psychological reasons for nicotine use, creating lasting change by breaking mental links between certain cues and the urge to smoke or vape.
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Reduces Cravings and Withdrawal: While nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) may mitigate withdrawal symptoms, it often does not address the mental and emotional drivers of the habit. Hypnotherapy, in contrast, rewires how you respond to cravings by calming the subconscious impulses behind them.
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Builds Positive Reinforcement: During hypnotherapy, positive suggestions replace the desire to smoke or vape with healthier behaviours. This can lead to greater motivation and fewer setbacks as you are subconsciously driven to choose non-smoking activities.
Studies indicate that while patches and medications can work, they often focus on only the chemical dependency aspect and not on deeply ingrained behaviours. Hypnotherapy, by working at the subconscious level, has shown significant results in smoking cessation success rates, helping individuals maintain smoke-free lives without physical aids.
While many methods claim to help you quit, hypnotherapy stands out as a unique and effective approach. In this post, you'll see why hypnotherapy is the key to success in bidding farewell to smoking and vaping for good.
Hypnotherapy is one of many approaches to quitting smoking, and its effectiveness can vary from person to person. However, it's important to note hypnotherapy's superiority over other methods such as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), patches, medications, vaping or quitting cold turkey. A 2007 study by the American College of Chest Physicians found that "smoking patients who participated in one hypnotherapy session were more likely to be nonsmokers at 6 months compared with patients using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) alone or patients who quit "cold turkey"."
Other methods like nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), patches, medications, and cold turkey have also shown varying degrees of success for different individuals.
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NRT provides a controlled and reduced dose of nicotine, helping to alleviate withdrawal symptoms.
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Medications like varenicline (Champix) and bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) can assist by reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms. NPS MedicineWise advises common side effects include nausea, insomnia, abnormal dreams, headaches and constipation. There is also a risk of serious adverse psychiatric effects and a small increased risk of cardiovascular (heart) events, with at least one death in Australia linked to the varenicline .
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Cold turkey, or quitting abruptly without aids, is a method some people find effective, but it can be challenging due to withdrawal symptoms.
The effectiveness of hypnotherapy for smoking cessation may be attributed to several factors:
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Individual Differences: People respond differently to various quitting methods. Hypnotherapy is the method that is easiest to tailor to your needs, preferences, and situation. What works for one person may not work as effectively for another. This variability makes it challenging to declare one method universally superior, but hypnotherapy is the method with the greatest potential to be customised.
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Personalised Approach: Hypnotherapy sessions are tailored to your specific needs and triggers, providing a personalised approach that focuses on the benefits that are most important to you.
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Psychological Factors: Smoking is often linked to psychological habits, stress, and behavioural patterns. Hypnotherapy better addresses the psychological aspects of smoking by influencing your thought patterns and behaviours.
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Psychological Benefits: Beyond smoking cessation, most clients report additional benefits from hypnotherapy, such as reduced stress, improved relaxation, and increased motivation. Addressing these factors supports the process of stopping smoking and vaping and enhances overall well-being.
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Placebo Effect: The power of belief and suggestion can influence outcomes. If you strongly believe in the efficacy of hypnotherapy and my skill as a practitioner, the placebo effect may contribute to your success. This does not mean it is fake, by any means; it recognises the power of your mind and positive thinking to break this useless addiction.
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Fewer Reported Side Effects: While pharmaceutical options like Champix and Zyban may come with a list of potential side effects, hypnotherapy is generally considered safe with minimal reported adverse effects. Hypnotherapy is a non-invasive, natural method that doesn't involve medications. For individuals concerned about the potential side effects of pharmaceutical drugs like Champix or Zyban, hypnotherapy can be an attractive option as it doesn't introduce any foreign substances into the body.
Hypnotherapy is based on the idea of accessing the subconscious mind to modify behaviours or beliefs. You may find it helpful in addressing the psychological aspects of smoking or vaping, such as breaking habits, managing stress, or changing the perception of your habit.
1. Tackling the Root Cause: Hypnotherapy goes beyond addressing the surface-level addiction; it delves into the subconscious mind to uncover and address the root causes of smoking or vaping. By exploring the underlying triggers and reprogramming your mindset, hypnotherapy equips you with the tools needed for lasting change.
2. Rewiring Habits and Behaviours: Smoking and vaping often become deeply ingrained habits, intertwined with various aspects of daily life. Hypnotherapy excels at breaking these patterns by rewiring your behaviours on a subconscious level. It helps create new, healthier habits, making it easier to navigate situations that used to trigger the urge to smoke or vape.
3. Stress Reduction and Relaxation: One of the leading causes of smoking relapses is stress. Hypnotherapy focuses on relaxation techniques and stress management, providing you with alternative coping mechanisms. By training your mind to respond differently to stressors, hypnotherapy helps reduce the need for smoking or vaping as a stress-relief mechanism.
4. Customised Approach for Individual Success: Every individual's journey to quit smoking or vaping is unique. Hypnotherapy offers a personalised approach, tailoring sessions to address your specific triggers, motivations, and challenges. This personalised touch enhances the effectiveness of the therapy, ensuring that it aligns seamlessly with your goals.
5. Overcoming Psychological Barriers: Smoking and vaping often become intertwined with deep-seated psychological barriers. Hypnotherapy taps into the power of suggestion and positive reinforcement to break down these barriers. By fostering a positive mindset and boosting self-confidence, hypnotherapy empowers you to overcome the mental hurdles that may hinder other quitting methods.
Embarking on the journey to quit smoking and vaping is a transformative experience, and hypnotherapy offers a unique and effective route. Our flagship product, "Stop Smoking and Vaping – for Life," is designed with your success in mind. Break free from the shackles of addiction, rediscover your well-being, and embrace a smoke-free life with the power of hypnotherapy.
References: https://www.abc.net.au/everyday/can-vaping-help-you-quit-smoking/100137724
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071022124741.htm
Differences in Hypnotherapy Approaches for Smoking and Vaping
At Switch-Up Hypnotherapy, we understand that smoking and vaping are different habits that may require tailored approaches for effective cessation. Here's how our hypnotherapy methods differ for each:
Hypnotherapy for Smoking
Addressing Physical Addiction: The primary challenge in stopping smoking is the physical addiction to nicotine. Our hypnotherapy sessions focus on breaking this addiction by reprogramming the subconscious mind to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Through guided visualisation and positive reinforcement, I help clients associate smoking with negative experiences and feelings, while promoting healthier alternatives.
Behavioural Triggers: Smoking is often linked to specific routines or triggers, such as drinking coffee, socialising, or dealing with stress. Our hypnotherapy sessions identify these triggers and work on changing the associated behaviours. By creating new, healthier habits and coping mechanisms, clients can effectively manage the urge to smoke in various situations.
Emotional Connection: Many smokers develop an emotional attachment to smoking as a coping mechanism for stress, anxiety, or other emotional challenges. Our approach includes addressing these underlying emotional issues, helping clients develop healthier ways to cope and manage their emotions without resorting to smoking.
Hypnotherapy Approaches for Smoking
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Behavioural Re-patterning: This approach involves identifying triggers (like stress or social situations) that lead you to smoke and creating new, healthier associations.
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Mindfulness Techniques: Hypnotherapy encourages mindfulness practices that build awareness around smoking urges, helping to reduce cravings in a calm, relaxed state.
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Visualisation: Using guided visualisation, hypnotherapy helps you see yourself as a non-smoker and reinforces this new identity at the subconscious level.
Hypnotherapy for Vaping
Psychological Dependence: While vaping may not have the same level of physical addiction as smoking, it often involves a stronger psychological dependence. Our hypnotherapy sessions focus on altering the mental associations and habits related to vaping. By reinforcing the idea that vaping is not necessary contributing to your relaxation or enjoyment anymore, I help you build a mindset that supports a vape-free lifestyle.
Health and Safety Awareness: Many individuals turn to vaping with the belief that it is a safer alternative to smoking. Switch-Up Hypnotherapy's approach includes educating you about the potential health risks of vaping and reinforcing the benefits of a completely nicotine-free life. This awareness can strengthen the commitment to cessation and motivate you to stay vape-free.
Behaviour Modification: Vaping often becomes a habitual behaviour linked to specific activities or social settings. Our hypnotherapy sessions work on breaking these habits and creating new, positive behaviours that are not associated with vaping. By reinforcing healthy routines and activities, you can successfully transition away from vaping.
Hypnotherapy Approaches for Vaping
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Addressing Sensory Habits: Since vaping often involves a physical and sensory component (flavours, device feel), hypnotherapy techniques specifically target these sensory cues, reducing the appeal of vaping.
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Restructuring Thought Patterns: Sessions focus on building an aversion to vaping by associating it with negative outcomes rather than positive relief, helping to shift your mindset.
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Stress Management: As vaping is often used as a stress-relief tool, hypnotherapy equips you with stress-management techniques, reducing the urge to vape.
How Switch-Up Hypnotherapy Can Help
At Switch-Up Hypnotherapy, we offer a comprehensive approach to help you stop smoking and vaping for life. Our personalised hypnotherapy sessions are designed to address the physical, psychological, and emotional aspects of nicotine addiction. Here's how our program can support your journey:
1. Personalised Sessions: Our hypnotherapy sessions are tailored to your unique needs and challenges. We take the time to understand your smoking or vaping habits, triggers, and motivations, allowing us to create a customised plan that maximises your chances of success.
2. Addressing Underlying Issues: We focus on identifying and addressing the underlying emotional and psychological issues that contribute to your smoking or vaping habit. By resolving these root causes, we help you develop healthier coping mechanisms and build a strong foundation for a smoke-free and vape-free life.
3. Reinforcing Positive Behaviours: Through guided visualisation and positive reinforcement, our hypnotherapy sessions help you associate smoking and vaping with negative experiences while promoting positive behaviours and thoughts. This shift in mindset can significantly reduce cravings and enhance your commitment to cessation.
4. Ongoing Support: Our support doesn't end with one hypnotherapy session. I offer free backup sessions for life. I provide ongoing guidance and resources to help you stay on track and maintain your progress. Whether it's through follow-up sessions, recorded sessions, or DIY tips, I am here to support you every step of the way.
5. Holistic Approach: I believe in a holistic approach to wellness. In addition to hypnotherapy, we encourage incorporating healthy habits, stress management techniques, and lifestyle changes to support your journey. Our goal is to help you achieve long-term success and enjoy the benefits of a nicotine-free life.
So, how does hypnosis help me to Stop Smoking - and vaping - for Life?
Hypnosis is a powerful tool in helping you stop smoking cigarettes and vaping. It helps you to access the subconscious mind to re-frame thoughts, beliefs, and behaviours associated with smoking.
Switch-Up Hypnotherapy works by utilising relaxation techniques and suggestions to influence the subconscious mind, where habits and behaviours are deeply ingrained. Here's how hypnosis can assist you in your journey to stop smoking and vaping:
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Motivation and commitment: Hypnosis helps strengthen your willpower and motivation to stop smoking and vaping for life. By accessing your subconscious mind, it reinforces your commitment to stopping, boosts your confidence, and increases your determination to overcome the fear of withdrawal symptoms. Hypnosis can enhance your motivation to stop smoking for life by tapping into your desires for a healthier lifestyle. It helps reinforce your commitment to stopping and strengthens your determination to overcome cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
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Identifying triggers and breaking the habit loop: I help you identify the specific triggers that lead you to smoke and/or vape; such as stress, boredom, or social situations. By understanding these triggers, you can develop strategies to manage them effectively and find alternative behaviours to smoking and vaping. Smoking and vaping becomes an ingrained habit linked to certain triggers or situations. Switch-Up Hypnotherapy helps identify these triggers and interrupts the habitual cycle. By suggesting new patterns of behaviour and coping mechanisms, hypnotherapy breaks the association between smoking and vaping and specific situations.
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Changing beliefs and associations: Hypnosis can help challenge and modify the underlying beliefs and associations you have with smoking and vaping. It aims to re-frame your perception of smoking and vaping from something desirable to something negative or unappealing. This process helps weaken your subconscious attachment to cigarettes. Hypnotherapy helps you develop a more positive mindset towards stopping smoking and vaping. It addresses any negative beliefs or doubts you have about quitting and replaces them with positive affirmations and motivations to stop smoking and vaping for life.
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Managing cravings: Hypnosis equips you with techniques to eliminate cravings. Through relaxation exercises and visualisation, you can learn to replace the urge to smoke with healthier behaviours or thoughts. This helps break the cycle of automatic response to cravings. Switch-Up Hypnotherapy reduces the intensity of cravings and your desire to smoke and vape. Through relaxation techniques and guided imagery, I help you visualise and reinforce the feeling of being smoke-free, making it much easier to resist cravings.
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Stress and anxiety reduction: Maybe you smoke as a way to cope with stress or anxiety. Hypnosis can teach you alternative relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or self-hypnosis, to manage stress effectively without relying on smoking or vaping. Smoking and vaping is often used as a coping mechanism for stress and anxiety. Switch-Up Hypnotherapy starts with looking at the root cause od your anxiety, provides alternative relaxation techniques and stress-management strategies to help you deal with these emotions without resorting to smoking and/or vaping.
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Building self-control and confidence: Hypnosis sessions include suggestions to strengthen your willpower and self-control. By reinforcing positive affirmations and visualisations, you can boost your confidence in your ability to stop smoking for life and remain vape-free.
It's important to note that while hypnosis has been beneficial for many people, results may vary. It's great that you have found a qualified and experienced hypnotherapist who specialises in smoking and vaping cessation to maximise the potential benefits.
On the other hand, methods such as nicotine replacement therapy, medications, and devices only target the physical addiction to nicotine in an attempt to help smokers manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
DIY Tips for Successfully Stopping Smoking and Vaping
In addition to our hypnotherapy sessions, there are several do-it-yourself (DIY) tips that can enhance your chances of successfully stopping smoking and vaping for life. Here are some practical strategies to support your journey:
1. Set Clear Goals and Reasons
Identify Your Motivation: Clearly define why you want to stop smoking or vaping. Whether it's improving your health, saving money, or being a positive role model for your family, having strong reasons will keep you motivated.
Set Specific Goals: Establish clear, achievable goals for your cessation journey. This could include setting a specific date to stop, gradually reducing your nicotine intake, or avoiding situations that trigger the urge to smoke or vape.
2. Develop Healthy Habits
Exercise Regularly: Physical activity can reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms by releasing endorphins and improving your overall well-being. Incorporate regular exercise into your routine to keep your mind and body occupied.
Maintain a Balanced Diet: Eating a healthy diet can help manage stress and stabilise your mood. Avoid sugary or highly processed foods that can trigger cravings and opt for nutritious meals that support your overall health.
Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help flush out toxins and reduce cravings. Keep a water bottle handy and sip water throughout the day to stay hydrated.
3. Create a Support System
Seek Support from Loved Ones: Inform your friends and family about your decision to stop smoking or vaping. Their encouragement and understanding can provide valuable support and accountability.
Join Support Groups: Consider joining a support group or online community where you can connect with others who are going through similar experiences. Sharing your journey and hearing others' success stories can be incredibly motivating.
Professional Support: Don't hesitate to ask for my professional support and expertise, no matter where you are in the world.
4. Manage Stress and Emotions
Practice Relaxation Techniques: Stress and emotional triggers can often lead to smoking or vaping. Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga to manage stress and improve your emotional well-being.
Keep a Journal: Writing down your thoughts and feelings can help you understand your triggers and develop healthier coping mechanisms. Reflect on your progress and celebrate your achievements along the way.
Stay Positive: Maintain a positive mindset and focus on the benefits of stopping smoking or vaping. Remind yourself of the positive changes you are making for your health and well-being.
5. Avoid Triggers
Identify Triggers: Recognise the situations, activities, or people that trigger your urge to smoke or vape. By identifying these triggers, you can develop strategies to avoid or cope with them.
Create a Smoke-Free Environment: Make your home and workspace smoke-free to reduce temptation. Remove any smoking or vaping paraphernalia and replace them with items that promote a healthy lifestyle.
Change Your Routine: Modify your daily routine to break the association with smoking or vaping. For example, if you usually smoke after meals, find an alternative activity such as taking a walk or chewing gum.
6. DIY Brain Training
Take out a piece of paper, turn it to landscape, and draw 3 columns. Or download the template below.
Write down these as your headings:
1. Reasons why I want to stop smoking - and vaping - for life.
2. Benefits that I expect to experience from stopping smoking and /or vaping for life.
3. Negative consequences of not changing my behaviour.
Spend a while expanding on each item, e.g.
- Don't just write money - how much do you spend on smoking per week, what does that add up to per year, and what would you rather do with that money?
- Don't just write health - what has smoking and/or vaping done to your health in the past, and what are the worst case scenarios for your health in the future, and what impact would that have on your family and loved ones?
The next time you think of puffing on your vape or on a cigarette, read through the list again, and add to it if you can.
The aim of this exercise is to train your brain into realising that you are not going to respond to the impulse to smoke or vape in the same way anymore. A week of sticking to this method should make the impulses to smoke or vape less frequent, and weaker when they do arise.
If you find it challenging, don't hesitate to contact me, and bring this exercise with you when you come to see me.
What makes Switch-up Hypnotherapy the right choice to Stop Smoking - and vaping - for Life?
Switch-Up Hypnotherapy offers a proven alternative to traditional smoking cessation methods through the power of hypnotherapy. Unlike patches, gums, or sheer willpower, hypnosis targets the subconscious mind—the root of addictive behaviours.
After an extensive interview, I guide you into a state of deep relaxation where you are more receptive to positive suggestions and behavioural changes. By “rewiring” the subconscious associations with smoking or vaping, hypnotherapy helps break the habit / addiction cycle and paves the way for a smoke-free life.
Don't just take my word for it—read the stories of those whose lives we've transformed:
I was a smoker for over 30 years. My family nagged me about giving up. I finally made that decision.
I had tried patches, cold turkey, cutting back but nothing worked until I met Luke.
I can honestly say I’m now a non smoker and I know I will NEVER smoke another cigarette.
If you really want to stop smoking and kick the disgusting habit, save a lot of money on what you now pay for a packet of smokes, I can’t recommend Luke enough.
My health has improved, I no longer have that hacking smokers cough. I rarely think about smoking but if I do I find it easy to get past the craving.
Do yourself a favour, call Luke and live a normal non smokers life, it’s great!
Saturday August 22nd 2020, I went and saw Luke, it is the best thing I've ever done.
I walked in as a smoker and came out a non-smoker. The whole way home in the car I kept telling myself it didn't work, as I was still thinking of cigarettes, the difference was I wasn't craving one. Not once have I craved one.
On the Tuesday, 3 days after seeing Luke, a girlfriend and her son came around, both of them are smokers and I didn't have a problem that they smoked. I still didn't feel any craving. All I thought was the smell of the cigarettes was awful.
Thank you Luke for changing my life. I cant believe how easy it has been, I just wish I had done it years ago. If anyone is sitting out there and thinking about quitting smoking, and have tried many times before without success, call Luke, you will not regret it.
Thank you again Luke, 40+ years of smoking ended 22/8/2020, have not felt any cravings since before I walked in to your office.
Susanne
These testimonials are but a glimpse into the countless success stories that attest to the effectiveness of my approach.
As a dedicated and compassionate professional in the field, I have cultivated a range of skills and qualities that contribute to my effectiveness in helping you achieve your therapeutic goals. Here are some key characteristics that define my approach:
✅ Empathy and Compassion: Creating a safe and non-judgemental space for you to share your concerns and experiences is of utmost importance to me. I believe in fostering a trusting environment where you can feel comfortable on your healing journey.
✅ Experience and Understanding: What really sets Switch-Up Hypnotherapy apart from other hypnotherapy services is that I was a smoker myself for 24 years, before a hypnotherapist helped me gain control of the habit in just one session. That's what made me study to become a hypnotherapist. I was convinced and amazed by the power of hypnotherapy and it made me quit my job and open up Switch-Up Hypnotherapy.
✅ Communication Skills: Effective communication is vital in hypnotherapy, and I pride myself on my ability to actively listen, ask relevant questions, and provide clear explanations without any judgement on my part. Ensuring you understand the process and feel heard is always a priority.
✅ Adaptability: Recognising that everyone is unique, I tailor my approach to suit your specific needs. I am open to employing various techniques and adjust my methods based on your responses and progress.
✅ Knowledge and Expertise: I constantly stay updated with the latest research and developments in the field of hypnosis and hypnotherapy. With a solid foundation of theoretical knowledge and practical skills, I am dedicated to continuously expanding my expertise to provide the best possible support to you.
✅ Professionalism: Maintaining appropriate boundaries, adhering to ethical guidelines, and conducting myself with integrity are fundamental principles in my practice. I prioritise the well-being and best interests of my clients, always striving to create a professional and trustworthy therapeutic relationship.
Client confidentiality and privacy is of the utmost importance to me, because the trust and confidence that is placed in me by you is the key to a successful session. If you were to have any doubt of the fiduciary nature of our relationship, you would be less likely to be open with sharing your feelings and concerns and this makes my success in changing unwanted behaviours and thought patterns less likely.
✅ Problem-Solving Skills: I possess strong problem-solving skills that aid in identifying underlying issues, developing tailored treatment plans, and guiding you towards positive change. I am committed to helping you overcome challenges and achieve your desired outcomes.
✅ Patience and Persistence: I understand that progress takes time, and setbacks may occur. With patience and persistence, I provide ongoing support and encouragement to you throughout your therapeutic journey, ensuring you feel supported every step of the way.
✅ Continuous Learning: I firmly believe in the importance of continuous learning and professional development. I actively engage in workshops, training programs, and seek out opportunities to enhance my skills and stay abreast of the latest advancements in hypnotherapy.
✅ Personal Development: To maintain my own well-being and effectiveness as a hypnotherapist, I prioritise my personal growth and self-awareness. Engaging in practices such as therapy, meditation, and self-reflection allows me to be the best version of myself and serve my clients to the best of my abilities.
If you or someone you know is seeking professional hypnotherapy services, I would be honoured to support you on your journey towards positive change. Please reach out to me directly to discuss how I can assist you.
Stopping smoking and vaping is a significant and life-changing decision. At Switch-Up Hypnotherapy, we are dedicated to helping you achieve this goal through personalised, effective, and supportive hypnotherapy sessions. By addressing the physical, psychological, and emotional aspects of nicotine addiction, we empower you to overcome cravings, manage triggers, and build a healthier, smoke-free and vape-free life.
Remember, the journey to cessation is unique for everyone, and it's important to find the approach that works best for you. With the right support, mindset, and strategies, you can successfully stop smoking and vaping for life. Take the first step towards a healthier future with Switch-Up Hypnotherapy and experience the transformative power of hypnotherapy in achieving your goals.
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Luke O'Dwyer
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