~ Editor's note: On Nov. 24, the Southeast Missourian wrote about Max Asher, a 43-year-old longtime smoker, undergoing auriculotherapy to quit smoking. Here's an update on how Asher is doing two weeks after his initial treatment.

The first 48 hours were OK.

After that, Max Asher's attempts to stop smoking via auriculotherapy suffered some setbacks.

The Cape Girardeau man is still optimistic about the progress he's made since undergoing the therapy, a form of acupuncture that sends microcurrents to specific points on the outer ear.

He now smokes four or five cigarettes a day, down from a pack a day prior to the therapy. He's visited the Freedom Clinic, where the therapy was performed, again since the initial visit written about in a Southeast Missourian story two weeks ago.

And again, he found that the first 48 hours went well. But the temptations of other smokers and the overall habit overcame the loss of nicotine craving.

"I guess I wasn't 100 percent committed to quitting," said Asher, 43. "I know it works, though. It's about self-control with me. It's not the draw, it's the habit."

Auriculotherapy has become more popular in recent years as a way to not only stop smoking, but also lose weight and manage pain. Locally, several new smoking cessation clinics have surfaced in recent months, and local phycians such as Dr. Justin Bell, a Jackson chiropractor, have been trained in the therapy.

Asher advises those interested in auriculotherapy to listen to the instructions given to them. For example, calling the clinic whenever the urge to smoke arises.

"I didn't do that. It's important to follow their suggestions," Asher said.

Asher said he's still trying to quit completely, and is proud of the progress he's made so far.

"Down from a pack to four or five a day is a big deal for me," he said.

cmiller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128