Stop Smoking

You know it’s a bad habit; I won’t bother with the statistics because you’ve heard them before. Smoking isn’t good for you, and there’s no pill, surgery or clear-cut method to quit. Last year you tried abandoning the habit cold turkey. This year, let’s try something a little more therapeutic.

Heffner Clinical Counseling and Hypnotherapy Associates has been dedicated to treating the psychological effects of addiction since 1965. Located in Newport, the center is run by Dr. Charles Heffner, who specializes in hypnosis and hypnotherapy. Hypnosis isn’t magic, but it has been shown to help people let go of tobacco addiction over a period of time by inducing a state of hyper-suggestibility. 226 Bellevue Avenue, Newport. 401-849-5600

Not buying it? To work on quitting smoking while remaining fully conscious, visit QuitNowRI for links to local Tobacco Cessation Treatment Programs or make a call to the R.I. Smoker’s Quitline. Every call is answered by a trained quit coach who will help to assess your unique situation and work with you to develop a plan to quit. The Quitline also offers multi-session telephone counseling and self-help materials. For the free and confidential support, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

For a more solitary approach to kicking the habit, practice addressing the psychological, physical and social aspects of the addiction within yourself. Work on replacing the urge to smoke with an exercise routine. Often just walking around the block can release those “feel-good” hormones that your body is actually longing for, and as a bonus, you’ll be improving your cardiovascular health, which is important after recovering from a cigarette smoking lifestyle. Also consider quitting with a friend, someone who will hold you accountable and give you the support you need to kick the habit for good. And when you begin to physically feel the side effects of nicotine withdrawal, reach for ginger root or peppermint to soothe the stomach, or herbs such as lobelia or passionfruit to calm the nerves. Source them at Seven Arrows Farm on the Attleboro/Seekonk line, which carries nearly 200 varieties of herbs.

If your serotonin levels really need a boost, Acupuncture and Herbal Answers may be the holistic approach you’re seeking. For thousands of years, acupuncture has been used to treat anything from back pain to allergies, high blood pressure to depression. This painless procedure actually induces alpha waves, which are brain patterns that accompany a meditative state. 1 Bartlett Court, Newport. 401-619-1912