A displacement and reconditioning technique for compulsive smokers

Abstract

A procedure for reducing total anxiety in chronic smokers while ostensibly directed toward permissive alteration of the smoking pattern is presented. In light trance the motivated patient is taught: (a) elementary respiratory relaxation (natural sigh), (b) displacement of emphasis from inhaling smoke to exhaling clean fresh air, (c) enhancement of satisfaction from other pleasurable factors-touch, shape, color, aroma, flame, smoke clouds, and taste, (d) to puff, hold smoke in mouth, inhale fresh air through nose and exhale through mouth. In most cases practice in stressing positive qualitative smoking pleasure soon results in automatic quantitative reduction of cigarette consumption. 5 brief case reports are presented.