Smoking and hypnosis: A systematic clinical approach

Abstract

2 methods of helping cigarette smokers stop smoking were compared in treating a total of 181 patients. After 6 months, 60% of those treated with an active, personalized approach were not smoking. This approach emphasized: (a) the feedback, under hypnosis, of the patient's own reasons for quitting, (b) m a h a g contact with the patient by telephone, (c) use of meditation during hypnosis to obtain individuaLized motives, and (d) Sell-hypnosis. Only 25% of smokers were successfully treated by an earlier hypnotic procedure that did not systexnaticdy employ these features.