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Drug/Alcohol Addiction Hypnotherapy
Hypnosis isn’t magic, even if it's sometimes presented that way — it can’t cure alcoholism on its own, but hypnotherapy can make a useful addition to a treatment plan for alcohol use disorders or other substance abuse issues. A trained therapist can use hypnotic suggestion to help you stop drinking.
Can Hypnosis Help Treat Alcoholism?
It has proven particularly helpful to manage pain and anxiety. People with alcoholism — also known as an alcohol use disorder or AUD — may benefit from a combination of hypnotherapy and other forms of counseling, but more scientific research is needed in the field. Not everyone will respond the same way to hypnosis. You may have more or less hypnotic suggestibility and be more or less responsive to your therapist’s suggestions.
What You Can Expect During Hypnosis for Alcoholism
Many people call themselves hypnotists without being officially qualified or following any regulations. Make sure that any therapist you see belongs to one of the two national organizations for licensed clinical hypnotists: the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis or the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis. A trained clinician should review your goals with you and explain the process beforehand. Despite what you may have seen in the movies, you will remain both in control and aware of your actions. Your therapist will use images and gentle speech to put you in a receptive state. Once you are relaxed, they will suggest ways for you to stop drinking. They may also have you focus on images of you achieving your goals, talking you through situations in which you successfully manage cravings and temptations.