Many parts of drug and alcohol addiction therapy are geared at helping people develop the skills and techniques they need to attain and maintain sobriety and a healthy lifestyle. Individual and group therapy, family and/or marriage counseling, classes, support gatherings, and follow-up treatment are common examples. “Alternative therapies” are also included on the list, and might range from mindfulness to yoga. Is there another complementary therapy that could help with the addiction treatment process? Hypnotherapy. When it comes to substance use disorders, behavioral addictions, and even chronic pain, studies have shown that hypnotherapy is more helpful than therapy. Take a closer look at how hypnotherapy might help with recovery.
What Is Hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is a research-based addiction treatment that can also be used to address a range of other psychological issues. Hypnotherapy is a psychiatric treatment that combines hypnosis and psychotherapy. Hypnotherapy is administered by a skilled therapist, usually, a certified psychologist, to a client who has been told, understands, and consents to the procedure.
Hypnosis is a type of trance induction in which one person—the hypnotist or hypnotherapist—induces an altered state of consciousness in another person or group of people—the hypnotic patient or subjects. The shift in awareness that occurs during hypnosis is more than a sensation; it can be measured and monitored using EEG readings from hypnotic individuals’ brains.
The person is more receptive to suggestions while in hypnosis. The method of inducing hypnosis in oneself is known as self-hypnosis (or auto-hypnosis). The primary difference between guided and self-hypnosis is that self-hypnosis necessitates knowledge of how to induce hypnosis in yourself.
How Does Hypnotherapy Work?
In people who are experiencing addiction, a hypnotherapist will use those underlying memories and sentiments to better understand why they overuse drugs or alcohol. They will be able to offer adjustments to how they view substance usage after they have grasped this. Often, therapists will assist the individual in developing disgusting thoughts when they consider using substances. This can be accomplished by assisting the individual in realizing the consequences of their abusive behavior to themselves and those around them.
How Effective Is Hypnotherapy as Addiction Treatment?
Hypnotherapy for drug addiction aids recovery by changing bad habits and behaviors, as well as employing suggestion tactics aimed at reducing cravings.
Drugs and alcohol are frequently used to cope with uncomfortable emotions, and people can easily become hooked due to the way the brain reacts. Addictions present a whole new set of challenges, often trapping the drug user in a cycle of drug misuse, quitting, and returning. This is where hypnotherapy may be useful.
Many rehabs, for example, The Process Recovery Center, are implementing this form of holistic treatment into their programs as a result of favorable findings from various research. This is an effective addition to a complete addiction treatment program that can assist in a variety of ways. These are some of them:
- Withdrawal symptoms are lessening. Drug and alcohol withdrawal can be physically and mentally exhausting. These symptoms can be managed using hypnosis.
- Relieving discomfort. Other physical and mental pains that may be a barrier to addiction rehabilitation can be alleviated by hypnosis.
- Addiction behavior modification. This holistic treatment targets the unconscious mind in order to transform thoughts and behaviors that are linked to addiction.
- Increasing emotional well-being. Hypnotherapy can help people with co-occurring illnesses and improve their overall emotional wellbeing.
Hypnotherapy For Those Trying To Break Free Of Addiction
Although hypnotherapy does not appear to work for everyone, it can be a useful technique for people seeking to overcome drug addiction. It’s especially beneficial for people in their first few months of recovery who are looking for something to help with cravings. The initial few months of sobriety can be stressful; this strategy can assist people in coping with this stress. Hypnosis is generally less useful for people who are currently addicted because it needs a high level of attention.
