"Great American Smokeout" Will Go Down in Flames, Says Hypnotist
Board Certified Hypnotist and Stop Smoking Specialist Sean Wheeler says that this week, thousands of smokers were duped into taking harmful drugs that don't work, all in an effort to quit the habit in honor of the 33rd Annual Great American Smokeout.
Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) November 21, 2008
This week, thousands of Americans began taking harmful and unnecessary drugs in an effort to stop smoking, and most of them will soon be smoking again. Thursday, November 20th marked the 33rd Annual Great American Smokeout, a day intended to raise awareness about the dangers of smoking.
"Everyone knows that smoking is dangerous, but it's frightening that most smokers aren't aware of the dangers of drugs like Chantix," says Sean Wheeler, a Board Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist and stop smoking specialist in Atlanta, GA. "People need to know that some of the methods intended to help them quit are even more dangerous than smoking itself."
This year, Americans who've been hesitant to try hypnosis in the past should find it even more appealing as a solution, especially in light of these facts:
According to a recent study by Forbes. com, the average smoker could save $1000/year by quitting. A 2004 Duke University report calculated the true cost of smoking to be $40/pack. According to the London Daily Mail (http://www. dailymail. co. uk/news/article-1084156/Anti-smoking-drug-linked-10-British-suicides. html (http://www. dailymail. co. uk/news/article-1084156/Anti-smoking-drug-linked-10-British-suicides. html)) and USA Today (http://www. usatoday. com/news/health/2008-02-01-220606507_x. htm (http://www. usatoday. com/news/health/2008-02-01-220606507_x. htm)), Chantix has been linked to suicide and depression. In this 1992 study (http://www. purehypnosis. com/documents/SmokingCessationandHypnosis. pdf (http://www. purehypnosis. com/documents/SmokingCessationandHypnosis. pdf)), hypnosis was scientifically proven to be an effective method to stop smoking. Samuel Jackson, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Kevin Costner, Ellen Degeneres, Charlize Theron and Drew Barrymore have all used hypnosis to quit. Many hypnotists offer a lifetime guarantee for smoking cessation.
In this economy, the thought of saving an extra $1000/year is very appealing to Americans struggling just to pay their mortgages and fill their gas tanks.
However, the real price of smoking is even more alarming.
In their book "The Price of Smoking," Duke University health economists calculated the price of $40 per pack "by analyzing all the costs of smoking -- personally, to the smoker's family and to society at large."
Although popular, many smoking cessation aids have dangerous or undesirable side-effects. According to the makers of the nicotine patch, side-effects may include "rashes, irregular heartbeat or palpitations, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, weakness and rapid heartbeat."
Chantix (known as Champix in the UK) is far more risky, and according to AboutLawsuits. com (http://www. aboutlawsuits. com/chantix-160/ (http://www. aboutlawsuits. com/chantix-160/)), it is now involved in a number of lawsuits, some related to suicide. Furthermore, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices reports that Chantix is linked to at least 50 deaths in the US during the first quarter of 2008.
"When you really look at the alternatives," says Wheeler, "hypnosis is by far the fastest, safest and most affordable solution available."
Now that popular celebrities like Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Ellen Degeneres and Oprah Winfrey have publicly endorsed hypnosis, many more people are jumping on board.
"It's funny," Wheeler explains, "people used to be very hesitant to try hypnosis because of what they've seen in movies, but now that the guys from Good Will Hunting have been hypnotized to quit, suddenly they're far more open to it."
While thousands of people have attempted to quit smoking in tandem with the Smokeout, the American Cancer Society's website says most people trying to quit will return to the habit within three months, if not sooner. That's why it's important to choose a method that's structured to help smokers quit for good, even after a relapse.
"Most of my clients stop smoking after a session or two of hypnosis," Wheeler says, "and they're always welcome to come back without paying another penny. It's rarely needed, but they say it's comforting to know it's available."
If smokers do their research and look at the facts, they're more likely to find the help they need.
"I'm not suggesting that hypnosis is the only way to quit," explains Wheeler, "only that people can be successful without putting dangerous chemicals into their bodies. Here's hoping that this year, more choose a method that will allow them to celebrate a full year as a non-smoker when the next Smokeout rolls around in November of 2009."
About Sean Wheeler
Sean Wheeler is a Board Certified Hypnotist with the National Guild of Hypnotists and the founder of Pure Hypnosis, LLC (www. PureHypnosis. com). He is the author of The Stop Smoking Solution - Atlanta's premiere Smoking Cessation blog. Additionally, Sean Wheeler has appeared on CNN, CNN Headline News and TBS. He has performed as master of ceremonies, entertainer and speaker at venues including Atlanta's Fox Theatre, as well as for academic and scientific organizations throughout Georgia and the Southeast.
Sean Wheeler is available for media interviews at 678-488-7362. Members of the press can find more information online at http://www. PureHypnosis. com (http://www. PureHypnosis. com)
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