A former 100-a-day smoker, Allen Carr should know a thing or two about kicking the habit. He has devoted his life to helping others do the same by launching his Easyway method. In his book The Easyway to Stop Smoking he helps readers eliminate the ps
ychological reasons for smoking, handle withdrawal symptoms, avoid temptation situations and stay a non-smoker. His global success has been phenomenal, and he has now set up dedicated clinics.
• Get your own personal instruction via the book, available at
www.amazon.co.uk, £6.49.
Take some therapy It is widely accepted that while going "cold turkey" is helpful for some determined quitters, Nicotine Replacement Therapy is the most successful strategy for the majority. Cigarettes are addictive, and therefore your body needs to be weaned off them carefully. There are gums, patches, nasal sprays and even microtabs (small tablets which dissolve under your tongue), all widely available in pharmacies and supermarkets. They work by releasing a controlled amount of nicotine into your system, to fend off the nightmare cravings.
• Go to
www.boots.com for more details.
Drop in Over the last three years the NHS has developed Stop Smoking Centres across the country to help more people quit. Most Stop Smoking Services involve working with a trained adviser, either one-to-one or as part of a group. Evidence shows that this kind of intensive support, combined with replacement therapies, can increase long-term quit rates by between 13 and 19 per cent. Nearly 124,900 smokers kicked the habit last year after receiving help from NHS Stop Smoking Services.
• For details of your nearest centre, go to
www.givingupsmoking.co.uk.
Call for help Undoubtedly, there will be times during your attempts to stop smoking when you feel like you cannot go on without lighting up. Never fear, help is near. The national no smoking helpline is staffed by trained advisors who can talk you through your particularle difficulty. In Scotland the national line is called Smokeline, and you can call 24 hours a day on 0800 84 84 84.
Try an alternative No, we’re not recommending you try smoking something else. Many alternative therapies can help in easing you into your non-smoking life, for example aromatherapy, massage and hypnotism. Of course, there is no scientific proof that these treatments reduce addiction, but anecdotal evidence suggests that they can be highly effective.
• For details on where to find a registered hypnotist, go to the website of the British Association of Therapeutical Hypnotists, at
www.bathh.co.uk