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| Physical
Impact of Smoking | The Program | Smokers
Say . . . " |
| If you are ready | The Pleasure
Center | Stress Management Homepage |
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So you think you might be ready to quit smoking . . . why this emphasis on stress
management?
Of the smoking cessation clients with whom I have worked, stress is the number
one reason people report for why they smoke. Clients have said:
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"Smoking
. . .
. . . helps me relax."
. . . makes me feel better."
. . . helps me unwind."
. . . helps me slow down."
. . . reduces my stress." |
"Nicotine is more
addictive than cocaine and heroin. Only the tobacco industry refutes that nicotine is an
addictive drug and that tobacco-use is the major cause of heart disease and cancer."
Gary L. Flegal, Ph.D. |
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These representative responses can all be summed up as, "Smoking helps me
manage stress."
This is such a persuasive argument for continuing to smoke that it has kept
many smokers convinced of its "truthfulness" for years, even in light of
proof-positive research that absolutely exposes smoking for what it is—the number one preventable cause of premature death and
illness—one of the ultimate stressors of choice-in our
society.
Why are so many people fooled into believing that smoking helps them manage
stress?
To answer that, we need a better understanding of what a nefarious drug
nicotine truly is.
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Smoking
tobacco:
 | increases heart rate. |
| increases blood pressure. |
| constricts arteries, increasing possibility for blood clot
formation. |
| increases "clot-forming" ability or stickiness of
blood cells. |
| reduces oxygen-carrying ability of blood cells. |
| reduces circulation to extremities (feet, hands).
AND |
| stimulates the hypothalamus, the part of the brain
sometimes referred to as the "Pleasure Center." |
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Once the Pleasure Center has been kicked into
over-drive by nicotine, the brain tells itself, "Wow! I'm feeling better—relaxed," and proceeds to convince the mind/body to ignore all
of the stress-related symptoms. But in reality, nicotine is a stimulant—offering no
possibility for "true" relaxation—only the self-delusion of relaxation
provided by one of the brain's most primitive information-processing centers.
What if you could learn real stress management techniques
that could actually provide true stress reduction instead of the pseudo-stress reduction
provided by smoking? And what if those same techniques could also give you the power to
reduce your urges to smoke as you go through withdrawal from nicotine? This is what
relaxation response training and cognitive restructuring training are designed to do.
If you are ready to:
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give your body the opportunity to heal. |
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be in greater control of yourself, instead of being controlled by a drug. |
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experience true relaxation instead of "fake" relaxation. |
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finally deal with the addiction that has held you in its grasp for so long. |
Here is the real thing!
I have helped others. I would be pleased to help you.
Dr. Gary L. Flegal
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The Program
This Smoking Cessation Program
consists of five sessions with
Dr. Flegal. The total package costs $500 and includes materials. The program employs
stress management training, psychological methods, cognitive restructuring, exercise,
nutritional advice, all focused on helping you become smoke-free—for life.
Additionally, participants have 24 hour a day support available during the crucial time of quitting smoking. Smoking is quite
likely the ultimate stressor. Help yourself—call today!
Email: DrGFlegal@aol.com
Phone: (615) 812-7280
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