Danielle’s Testimony

On World No Tobacco Day, 31st May 2005, Channel 9′s Today show trialled 3 different methods of quitting; hypnotherapy, patches and Allen Carr’s Easyway®.
Fiona trialled hypnotherapy and failed to stop smoking.

Matthew trialled nicotine patches and stopped using them after 3 weeks due to “some difficulties with them”. He said that even though he had stopped smoking, that he still missed cigarettes and still wanted one, particularly when he was out socialising. However, it was rumoured that Matthew may have had “the odd one”…….leave the rest unchanged.

Danielle, the third and final participant, attended the Allen Carr clinic. Here’s what she had to say about it:

Danielle’s testimony

Just wanted to give you some feedback from the workshop on Saturday.

I went into the workshop with an open mind, not really convinced that it would work, and I was pleasantly surprised. The workshop was great, it was interesting the way it made you think about smoking and the reasons why we smoke and the illusions of smoking. I had not read the book prior to going into the workshop and I am glad that I didn’t as I did not have any pre-conceived ideas about the method…. the power of mind is something that we often forget. I was so concerned about the physical aspects of nicotine withdrawal however when Gail went through it all, it made sense that withdrawal symptoms are mental, not physical.

Gail was a fantastic facilitator, as soon as I walked into the room I felt comfortable and knew that I could believe her words, especially when she shared her story with us and told us many stories of smokers. She worked with all of us in the group session, ensuring that we all understood and that all our questions were answered. Chatting with the group throughout breaks, I would be surprised if any of them return to their ‘smokers’ ways.

The real test for me was Saturday evening, being out with my ‘smoker’ friends and at bars where I was surrounded by smokers, and you know what… I did not, nor have I, craved a cigarette since I completed the workshop. It’s really quite amazing how it has worked. My friends and partner are surprised that I have not once said ‘I feel like a cigarette’. Last night when I was on my own ‘the monster’ crept into my head and tried to tell me I felt like a cigarette, but I didn’t and I went to bed. Easy!

I would recommend this workshop to any smoker that wants to Quit, and I think it’s a great method. Gail was a very effective, funny and sensitive facilitator… if there is a follow up session on Today Show, I would bring her in on it, she’s great!

Thanks for the opportunity to do the workshop, I think I was blessed with the best method!

Kindest regards
Danielle.