Hypnotherapy vs patches: Why Nicotine Patches Have a High Failure Rate (And What Actually Works)
Hypnotherapy vs patches: If nicotine patches and gum worked, wouldn’t everyone be smoke-free by now? Research shows that while NRT can help some people, the majority relapse within 6 months. Here’s why—and what Melbourne smokers are choosing instead.
The Research They Don’t Tell You
A randomised controlled trial published by the American College of Chest Physicians compared hypnotherapy directly to nicotine replacement therapy in real smokers trying to quit.
The results?
- Hypnotherapy group: 50% still quit at 26 weeks
- Nicotine replacement group: Only 15.78% still quit at 26 weeks
That’s more than 3x higher success rate for hypnotherapy.
Why such a dramatic difference? Because patches and gum only address the physical addiction. They do nothing for the mental habit, the emotional triggers, or the identity of being a “smoker.”
Why NRT Fails (And Hypnotherapy Doesn’t)
Why Hypnotherapy vs Patches Isn’t Even Close: Nicotine replacement treats the symptom, not the cause.
When you use patches or gum, you’re still giving your brain nicotine—just in a different form. You’re not actually breaking the addiction; you’re maintaining it at a lower dose. And the moment stress hits, or you’re around other smokers, or you have a drink, the mental triggers fire—and you relapse.
Hypnotherapy rewires the root cause.
Our Melbourne hypnosis quit smoking program targets the subconscious patterns that keep you smoking: the stress-relief association, the identity of being a “smoker,” the automatic hand-to-mouth habit, and the social triggers.
We don’t replace nicotine. We eliminate the need for it entirely.
What the Studies Show
When comparing hypnotherapy vs patches, the difference is clear. Multiple peer-reviewed studies confirm hypnotherapy’s effectiveness:
- 2014 randomised controlled trial: Hypnotherapy patients were 3x more likely to remain smoke-free than NRT patients at 26 weeks (50% vs 15.78%)
- 2024 review: Hypnotherapy is as effective as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for smoking cessation
Research consistently shows that hypnotherapy addresses what NRT cannot—the mental patterns, emotional triggers, and identity shifts that keep people smoke-free long-term.
Why Breathe Hypnotherapy Gets Results
Our approach combines proven methodology with client readiness—and that’s what creates lasting change.
We combine three powerful techniques:
NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) – Rewires the language patterns and beliefs that keep you smoking
Eriksonian Hypnosis – Uses indirect suggestions and metaphor to bypass resistance and create lasting change at a subconscious level
The Breathe Quit Technique – Our proprietary method that targets your specific triggers and smoking patterns
But here’s the most important factor: we only work with people who are genuinely ready to quit.
We don’t take your money if you’re quitting because your partner wants you to, or because your doctor told you to. Why? Because even if the session works in the moment, if you’re not internally motivated, you’ll consciously choose to start smoking again weeks or months later.
That’s not a failure of hypnotherapy—that’s a person who wasn’t ready.
During your free consultation, we assess your readiness. If you’re doing this for yourself, because you’ve decided you’re done with smoking, we can help you quit in one session. If you’re not there yet, we’ll tell you honestly.
This integrity-first approach is why our clients stay quit—not just for weeks, but for life.
Melbourne Success Stories
“I tried patches three times. They never worked. One session with Michael and I haven’t touched a cigarette in 8 months. The difference is I actually wanted to quit this time, and the hypnotherapy made it effortless.” – David, Melbourne
“I was sceptical, but the combination of NLP and hypnosis just clicked. I don’t even think about smoking anymore. It’s like I was never a smoker.” – Sarah, Melbourne
“Michael was honest with me in the consultation—he said I needed to be ready, not just willing. I came back two months later when I truly was, and that one session changed everything.” – Tom, Melbourne
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How is this different from nicotine patches or gum?
A: Patches and gum maintain the nicotine addiction at a lower dose. We eliminate the addiction entirely by rewiring the subconscious patterns that drive smoking behaviour.
Q: What if I’ve tried to quit before and failed?
A: Most people who’ve failed with patches, willpower, or other methods succeed with hypnotherapy because they were treating the symptom (nicotine), not the cause (the mental habit and identity).
Q: Do I need to be “ready” to quit?
A: Yes. We only work with people who genuinely want to quit for themselves. If you’re quitting because someone else wants you to, we’ll be honest about that in your free consultation.
Q: How many sessions will I need?
A: Most clients quit in one session. We include follow-up support if you need reinforcement.
Why Choose Breathe Hypnotherapy in Melbourne
- 95% success rate with clients who are ready to quit
- 170+ verified five-star reviews
- Combines NLP, Eriksonian hypnosis, and the Breathe Quit Technique
- Free consultation to assess readiness
- In-person Melbourne clinic + online Zoom sessions
- One-session program for most clients
- Ongoing support and relapse prevention tools
Take the First Step Today
If you’re truly ready to quit smoking—not because someone told you to, but because you’ve decided for yourself—we can help you do it naturally, permanently, and often in just one session.
Book your free consultation today. We’ll assess your readiness honestly, answer your questions, and if you’re ready, help you become smoke-free for life.
References:
Hasan, F.M., et al. (2014). Hypnotherapy is more effective than nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation: Results of a randomised controlled trial. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 22(1), 1-8.
Book Your Free Melbourne Consultation Now →
