Mind games to stub out habit (From This Is Local London)

Mind games to stub out habit

10:58am Tuesday 3rd July 2007

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With the ban on smoking in public places now in force, ANGELA LANDY undergoes clinical hypnosis in a bid to kick the habit.

AS A smoker for 20 years, I have tried everything to kick the habit - gum, herbal cigarettes, lozenges, the Allen Carr book.

‘I felt myself drift into the big leather chair and let Terry’s words wash over me.’

ANGELA LANDY

They all had varying results, but none kept me off nicotine for more than six months.

Holidays and nights at my local inevitably and eventually ensured the weed won again.

I loved my cigarettes even though deep down I knew they were killing me and the money in my pocket.

So when I was invited to go along to see Terry O'Toole for clinical hypnosis, I jumped at the chance.

I arrived at The Natural Medicine Centre in West Wickham High Street a little apprehensive but with an open mind.

And I was pleasantly surprised to find Terry a little younger and more approachable than I had expected.

He talked me through my reasons for smoking and why I wanted to stop.

I had already filled out a form and answered various questions to do with my habit, and he ran through my answers with me.

It was a fairly relaxed chat and I felt as if I was talking to someone I had known for quite a while.

He then started to make me relax by talking me through a series of scenarios and I felt myself drift into the big leather chair.

Terry then started to talk about my smoking and although I knew where I was, I felt totally relaxed and let his words wash over me.

When I was told to open my eyes again, it was like waking up.

It felt as though I had been away somewhere else.

I had been in this state for nearly an hour.

The time had flown by, and I was embarrassed to realise I had been crying at some stage.

Terry told me this was normal and not to worry, and although I had been aware it had happened, I wasn't bothered at the time - only when I had opened my eyes.

The room smelt of essential oils, and I can still smell them when I close my eyes now.

After I thanked Terry, I left feeling fairly positive I had become a former smoker.

I am hoping the information he has fed into my subconscious will be enough to keep me from returning to my habit.

The first morning, I woke up and recall thinking about some of his words during the night, although I imagine this is fairly normal for a new experience.

I have not yet had a cigarette and am still feel fairly relaxed about it.

And I hope this will be the end of my habit.

The ban, which came in on July 1, is going to make smoking more difficult for everyone.

I really don't want to be sitting outside and losing my seat in whichever restaurant or pub I happen to be in.

Instead, I will be inside with my drink and happy to be a former smoker.

• Mr O'Toole is based at The Natural Medicine Centre in West Wickham High Street. Call 020 8776 0444 or 07784 761615.

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