Smoking Cessation: A Combined Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Hypnotherapy Self-Help Treatment Protocol

Abstract

Cigarette addiction is a major health issue, with cessation interventions having modest success. Combining interventions may result in improved treatment outcomes. Self-help formats appeal to smokers, but existing protocols have had low success rates. A benchmark comprehensive psychological treatment regime is yet to be established. CBT and hypnosis are possibly efficacious for smoking cessation, alone and in combination. Time-series analysis was used to assess the efficacy of an Australian version of Lynn and Green's combined CBT and hypnotherapeutic treatment protocol in its self-help format in seven smokers over six weeks. Three smokers significantly reduced cigarette intake from baseline, one achieved abstinence. This study provides preliminary evidence supporting the effectiveness of combining CBT and hypnosis in a self-help format for a subset of individuals.