Some would say all smoking is an addiction, while others would argue that it is a habit. I have found in my experience that there is a good proportion of smokers who somehow or other got sucked into smoking, got hooked and then have to smoke to feel normal. I define this type of smoker as a Smoking Addict and recognize the physical part of this addiction for what it is.

So how do you know if you are a Smoking Addict?

Do you need a cigarette first thing in the morning or upon waking?

Do you try to smoke at regular intervals throughout your waking hours?

Do you smoke about 20 or more cigarettes a day?

If you have tried to stop, did you lose your concentration and feel ravenously hungry?

If the answers to at least the first three questions is yes, then the way I see it, you are physically addicted. And not necessarily for much longer.

Whilst there is an emotional element in all addiction, many Smoking Addicts have either largely dealt with these or are finding ways to cope. Chances are, if you are addicted, you are so fed up with the addiction that you have a very strong will to succeed. You would also be most likely starting to experience the effects of smoking as a cough, chest infections, or maybe your circulation is not as good as it used to be. This adds to the motivation factor.

There are some smokers who are not only physically addicted as defined above but also have more extensive emotional issues. Should there be other addictions, such as bulimia or hard drugs, it is best to take it step by step, learn coping strategies, take care of the physical side, and heal the underlying emotional issues. A good EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) Practitioner with the relevant experience and skills should be able to help. They may advise you to also seek medical help and may offer to support you with that.

Other than the above, if you are not suffering from depression or anxiety and do not feel that you are using cigarettes as an emotional crutch, then the good news is that quitting smoking is likely to be very quick and easy for you. EFT is based on the acupuncture meridians. It helps to re-balance your body's energy system, release the cravings, improve your concentration, and all the minor emotional issues around smoking. Your EFT Practitioner should be able to help you become a non-smoker within one to two hours. Or you can learn EFT for yourself and help yourself. It takes literally less than one and a half minutes to do a full EFT procedure called the Basic Recipe. This is a robust formula designed to work under many conditions. If treating yourself, all you have to do is repeat this simple procedure every time you would have otherwise lit up, until the desire for a cigarette is completely gone.

One really nice thing about EFT is that when you have a treatment, you are proactive rather than reactive. You participate in your own special experience and walk away empowered with an easy way to gain control over many conditions, as diverse as backache and the common cold and everything in-between. A nice bonus for anyone who only a short while ago was being controlled by nicotine.