Smoking

Acupuncture helps with smoking cessation in four ways:

1. By reducing cravings.
2. By relieving withdrawal symptoms.
3. By supporting motivation and mindfulness.
4. By helping the body detoxify.

From our experience, an average of 8 to 12 sessions can help most smokers quit or greatly reduce the number of cigarettes they smoke. We have seen smokers quit after 3 sessions of acupuncture. We have also seen some smokers who had difficulty quitting after 12 sessions.

Each individual receives needles according to their underlying condition, such as withdrawal symptoms and body constitution. Most acupuncture points do not hurt. Patients typically feel a brief mosquito-bite sensation. Some points tend to be more sensitive than others, and we take extra care with those to avoid discomfort.

Studies of addictions show that addictive behavior is not just an isolated behavior. Having a cigarette becomes intertwined with other personal ways of responding to life. The smoker will often say that a cup of coffee, a big meal, emotional stress, a beer, or a lonely moment will prompt a desire for a cigarette. In this case, it is not easy, but possible, to quit smoking without help.

Two books are recommended if you want to quit smoking on your own:

1. Hooked but not Helpless, Kicking Nicotine Addiction by Patricia Allison.
2. Overcoming Addictions by Deepak Chopra, MD.

• Avoid having cigarettes too readily available. A useful strategy is to crumple up your pack of cigarettes.
• Plan to reward yourself with something special after the first week, first month, and every month smoke-free.
• Stop any behavior that you know triggers an increased desire to smoke, like drinking coffee.
• Start to limit times, places, and people with whom you are willing to smoke. Avoid situations where everyone smokes.
• Listen to music or play an instrument.
• Take up yoga or karate.
• Get into a vigorous aerobic conditioning program (with appropriate health precautions).
• Spend more time with ex-smokers.
• Slow down and enjoy your meals more.
• Take a trip to a flower shop and enjoy the scents.
• Learn and practice an effective relaxation technique twice a day.
• Make a list of things you will do or say to yourself the next time you have an urge for a cigarette.
• Call a friend every day and talk about how thankful you are to have gone another day without smoking. If you have a setback, call at least two friends or supporters and let them know, but also tell them that you are going to keep trying.
• Put up signs with encouraging thoughts in places like your refrigerator, bedroom, car, and bathroom mirror.
• Visualize yourself daily as a non-smoker.

Congratulations, my friend, for reading this far. Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances known, with some research suggesting it is as addictive as heroin or cocaine. It is also the most preventable cause of major illness. Call 403-233-0498 to get a consultation first.

$95/session, $45 consultation. 30-45 minute initial consultation.

Alberta Health Care does not cover acupuncture. Most company benefits cover acupuncture when treatment is provided through a Registered Acupuncturist. Contact your HR department or insurance company for coverage details.

Acupuncture treatment for drug and substance abuse has been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO). As reported by Alive Magazine, a study found that twice as many smokers managed to quit when they received acupuncture alongside counseling as part of an anti-smoking program. Acupuncture is a reasonable alternative that has helped many people quit smoking, but it does not work for everyone. As for you, there is only one way to find out.