The exact causes of drug and alcohol addiction are not fully known. Neither is there an exact remedy or cure for these ailments.  In fact, there are many treatment options available for drug/alcohol addition.  Hypnosis is one alternative approach.  Although hypnosis may not be a stand-alone treatment, when combined with other therapies, such as a 12-step program, hypnosis can be an extremely effective approach.

How Hypnosis Can Help In Relapse Prevention?

Hypnosis induces a mental state where the subject experiences increased relaxation and focus.  Due to the increased focus, the subject becomes more receptive to positive suggestions.  In a typical session, a hypnotherapist might give suggestions for:

• motivation to stick with the program;
• increased patience and feelings of worthiness,
• increased self-esteem and feelings of wholeness and serenity; and
• increased ability to regulate thoughts and emotions.

Internalizing such positive suggestions makes behavior modification more likely, and behavior modification is obviously a crucial component of relapse prevention.

Research Proving Hypnosis Works for Addictions

The following research shows hypnosis can be very effective in the treatment of drug & alcohol addiction:

• In a comparative study of hypnotherapy and psychotherapy in the treatment of methadone addicts, significantly more methadone addicts quit with hypnosis.  At six month follow up, 94% percent of the subjects who received hypnosis remained narcotic free.  (Manganiello AJ. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis 1984; 26(4): 273-9).
• In a study on hypnosis for relapse prevention training with chronic drug/alcohol users, individuals who used self-hypnosis at least 3-5 times a week, at 7 week follow-up, reported the highest levels of self-esteem and serenity, and the least anger/impulsivity, in comparison to the minimal practice and control groups. (American Journal of Clinical Hypnotherapy 2004 Apr;46(4):281-97)
• In another recent study, clients who received hypnosis treatments over a 1 yr period showed a 77% chance of remaining drug/alcohol free. (American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis,  Jul 2004  by Potter, Greg)
• In a case study, where a female subject with a $500 a day cocaine habit used hypnosis 3 times a day for four months, the subject’s addiction was broken and she remained drug free for 9 years.  Hypnosis was the only intervention and no support network was available. (American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis 1993 Oct; 36(2):120-3).