Investigation of Cigarette Smokers Who Quit without Treatment

Abstract

This study investigates the phenomenon of spontaneous recovery through qualitative methodology. The Development Research Model, as introduced by James Spradley (1979) was employed with a sample of people who quit smoking without the aid of formal treatment. This technique examines the language used by informants to describe the experience of quitting. The results report that many of the informants used multiple techniques. Also of importance is the finding that the majority of the informants had relapsed and used the experience as motivation to continue trying to quite smoking. It was also found that many individuals experienced vivid dreams about smoking while undergoing the cessation process. Several important factors about the decision to quit are discussed as well as the treatment implications.