After the stress of working with a civilian contractor, managing a distribution centre in Kandahar, Afghanistan for three years, Allan came home with a 20–25 cigarette a day habit. He’d been spending $10,000 a year to feed his nicotine addiction. But as well as the financial stress, smoking has had a serious impact on his health.

As Allan explains: “I couldn’t breathe without using Dymista 125/50 spray. I had no choice as I had a cough that never let up. I knew it was due to smoking, but I couldn’t function properly without lighting up regularly. I turned 50 this year. I wasn’t sure that I’d make 60 if I didn’t stop smoking.”

“A friend told me about her success with the hypnotherapy treatment she’d received from Donna. She convinced me to try it too. I figured I had nothing to lose. I had no illusions that making the change would come easily, but I’m determined when I make up my mind.”

“I didn’t know what to expect from hypnotherapy. I was surprised to find that it was really easy; and since I had the treatment, I don’t smoke. The first couple of days were tough. I didn’t expect to have withdrawal symptoms; but I had become so dependent on nicotine, flushing it out of my system took real effort. I resisted the temptation to light up even one smoke. I knew that if I did, I wouldn’t be able to stop, and I’d have wasted my time.”

“To make a success of hypnotherapy, you have to understand and believe in the process. That’s why the initial meeting with Donna is so important. She helped me prepare myself mentally before the treatment. And to succeed, I believe you have to follow her instructions and do just what she tells you.”

“The one side effect is that I started to stack on a few extra pounds. Smoking raised my metabolism and distracted me from eating. So I’ve had to adjust my behaviour to not replace one vice (smoking) with another (eating too much). I control that by not eating between meals.”

“I’ve always been a good sleeper; now I get to sleep faster, and I wake feeling more refreshed. I guess that’s because I breathe easier; and I don’t wake up with my lungs feeling like they’re on fire.”

“People notice. The most obvious difference is that my coughing has stopped. That, alone, made it all worthwhile.”

Katie had never experienced hypnosis when she decided to try hypnotherapy as a way to stop smoking. She’d tried all the usual methods to overcome her ten-a-day habit, without success. Here Katie explains her experience:

“I’ve taught meditation and yoga and understand the power of the mind to control our bodies. But to be honest, I was really sceptical about whether hypnotherapy could help me. But I’d known Donna for a while; and I trusted her. Smoking was ruining my health. I was desperate, so I gave it a go.”

“As I expected, Donna was really professional. During the initial meeting, she explained everything to me. She told me how the treatment works and just what to expect.”

“I think what really helped was Donna stressed how important it is to have the right mindset to give up smoking. When I was sure I was ready, I attended a three-hour consult. I felt really positive and alert after the treatment. For the first few days, I felt no urge to smoke at all – and I felt so much better in myself. I hadn’t felt that good for years.”

“I have to admit that later I started to feel a niggling urge to light up and did smoke once or twice but felt really guilty each time I gave into it. I guess that is part of the way hypnosis influences my change of behaviour.”

“Controlling my weight was a problem at first, but I’ve been going to the gym and I’m getting more involved with yoga again.”

“Now I can’t stand the smell of cigarettes. I find it overwhelmingly disgusting; and understand the effect it has on non-smokers. I’m feeling so much better about myself – mentally and physically. I feel so much more alert.” Katie said.