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Naples Daily News

Health

Support: Programs offer strategies for quitting
( Edited & Reprinted)

The Wellness Seminar, offered through hospitals, is a one-session, two-hour seminar that combines hypnosis and behavior modification. During the first 45 minutes of the seminar, participants are given an overview of the program. The group is taught stress management techniques such as deep breathing, stretching and positive thinking to help the participant deal with withdrawal symptoms. During the second half of the seminar, hypnosis is used.

Hypnosis works through deep concentration, said Rena Greenberg, president of Wellness Seminars, Inc. of Florida. While the person is in a state of deep relaxation, they are told that smoking is not pleasurable, and there is no need to smoke. They are given positive suggestions and images to bring about the change in desire.

“So we really break down for them the concept of the habit,” Greenberg said. “Consciously, they want to quit smoking, but subconsciously, they’ve been doing it for a long time. They find pleasure.”

This conflict between wanting to quit and needing a cigarette must be broken, Greenberg said.

“All we’re trying to do at the seminar is turn those images around so they no longer see the idea of putting poisonous smoke in their lungs as pleasurable.”

Each participant goes home with a two-sided cassette tape. One side is hypnotic, while the other side contains classical music with positive suggestions superimposed on the music. Participants also receive written material giving hints, tips and strategies for success.

Anyone taking the seminar can repeat it at any time for free, Greenberg said.