“You Either Quit or You Don’t”

Hypnotherapist Alex Ivanov on Smoking, the Subconscious Mind and Readiness for Chang

Our Newspaper: Alex, you specialise in helping people overcome addictions. What problems do people most often come to you with?

Alex Ivanov: My main speciality is addiction therapy. People come to me for help with smoking, alcohol, drugs, gambling and other compulsive behaviours. Although these addictions may look different on the surface, they have one thing in common: they become automatic patterns stored in the subconscious mind.

Our Newspaper: Why does smoking begin in the first place? Why is it so difficult for people to quit?

Alex Ivanov: Smoking is rarely just about nicotine. When people first started smoking as teenagers, they were often trying to solve different problems. They wanted to look older, fit in, prove themselves, or feel accepted by a group.

But now they are adults. They no longer need cigarettes to validate themselves. Today, true strength is the ability to control your habits rather than be controlled by them.

Our Newspaper: Many smokers say cigarettes have become their friend.

Alex Ivanov: Yes, that’s very common. A person sits in the car, lights a cigarette and almost feels as if it is listening to them, calming them down and keeping them company.

But a real friend does not take your money, damage your health or poison you every day. In many cases, people have simply welcomed a false friend into their lives. These are the kinds of issues we explore during hypnotherapy.

Our Newspaper: What about vaping? Is it safer?

Alex Ivanov: I believe many people seriously underestimate the risks of vaping. Traditional smokers at least had natural breaks between cigarettes. Many vapers inhale constantly throughout the day, often without even noticing how frequently they are using nicotine.

Our Newspaper: What role does the subconscious mind play in quitting smoking?

Alex Ivanov: The subconscious mind stores habits and behaviours. Every habit once served a purpose. The key is understanding what smoking is really providing: confidence, relaxation, social connection, or a sense of control. Once we understand that, we can replace the old behaviour with a healthier one.

Our Newspaper: You mentioned a client who left before treatment even began. What happened?

Alex Ivanov: I asked him a simple question: “If you were told that unless you quit smoking today, a member of your family would die tomorrow, would you quit?”

Most people immediately answer, “Of course!” But this gentleman became upset and left.

I wasn’t trying to offend him. In that moment he realised something important: he wasn’t ready.

He came to try quitting, not to quit.

And there is a huge difference between those two things.

Our Newspaper: What do you mean by that?

Alex Ivanov: People often leave themselves an escape route.

“I’ll try.” “Let’s see if it works.”  “Maybe I’ll just smoke one cigarette a day.”

But there is no middle ground.

Either you smoke. Or you don’t.

Millions of people around the world simply make a decision and stop.

However, for that to happen, a person must be internally ready.

In my opinion, readiness is one of the most important factors in successfully quitting smoking.

That is why during the first sessions we do not simply focus on stopping the habit. We help the person prepare psychologically and emotionally for change.

I often tell my clients to imagine seeing something filthy and unpleasant on the road. You would never pick it up and put it in your pocket. If you accidentally touched it, you would want to wash your hands immediately.

That is the kind of relationship a smoker needs to develop with cigarettes.

When a person genuinely feels: “I don’t want this anymore. It disgusts me. It has no place in my life,” then true readiness begins.

At that point hypnotherapy becomes particularly effective. Once the decision for freedom has matured internally, the process becomes easier, faster and more comfortable.

Our Newspaper: What would you like to say to someone thinking about quitting smoking?

Alex Ivanov: Your health matters. Your money matters. Your future matters. And the future of your loved ones matters too.

The subconscious mind is wise enough to help a person let go of something that is harming them. The important thing is that they are ready to make that decision.

I love working with people who walk through my door and say:  “Enough is enough. I choose freedom.”

Those are often the people who achieve the quickest and most impressive results.

If you have been thinking about quitting smoking, perhaps now is the right time to take the first step.

Alex Ivanov
Hypnotherapist & Addiction Specialist

Serapis Wellness Therapies Centre, Navan
https://serapis.life/

Phone: 087-7669044 Tags: Алексей Иванов, Алексей Иванов-Царёвококшайский, Здоровье, сигареты