HYPNOSIS AND ADDICTION ASSISTANCE

Can hypnosis remove addicting behavior as well as be used in addiction treatments?

DISCLAIMER:

"Currently, I am not, nor is anyone associated with Lakes Region Hypnosis Center or Peaceful Light Healing & Hypnosis, a medical doctor or medical professional and we recommend that any chemical and/or drug abuse addict seek the attention of their own medical professional(s). Hypnosis is an adjunct to this medical treatment and should not be deemed as replacement therapy to anyone seeking attention from their medical professional(s).  I, as a trained, certified hypnotist require release form(s) from your medical professional(s) and shouldn't, can't and won't work with you until then.  We have release forms available and will provide them to you.  This is for my and your safety, protection and well-being."

To begin, we must define addiction and the type of addiction.  Whether the addiction is a "too much" behavior (discussed in one of my previous articles), chemical, or lumped together as psychological and/or physiological, it usually comes from a response to unresolved feelings; those feelings being: boredom, anger, guilt, sadness, loneliness, inadequacy, stress, fear, frustration, depression and even sympathy.  I will use the following for this post:  "Addiction usually results from the subconscious (or unconscious) mind's ability to create a program to address a basic feeling that is not consciously addressed by an individual".  Acknowledge and address the feeling(s) in a timely manner and the chances of addiction are usually nil.

The personality of an "average" person addicted to drugs and/or medication, show many of the defects as those of the chronic alcoholic as described in the Journal Of The National Medical Association.  Characteristics are usually over-sensitivity, dependent, lonely, lacking self-esteem, and/or have difficulty tolerating frustration.  Self pity is often a prominent feature of the addict's personality, also.  Once addiction has developed, a physical dependency is established as a result of biochemical change which produce a craving for the drug.  This craving many times occurs after a single exposure to many narcotics, which has led to today's elephant in the room, the opiate addiction crisis.  Many scientific doctors distinguish three basic categories of drug addiction,  
1. Primary addiction, whereby opiates have specific adjustive value for certain personality shortfalls,
2. Symptomatic addiction, in which using opiates has no particular adjustive value, only an incidental symptom of a behavior disorder, and 
3. Reactive addiction, the drug use is a developmental phenomenon in essentially normal people influenced by distorted peer group norms. 

The aforementioned "psychology" of addiction now leads me to the benefits of using hypnosis in addiction treatment.  Hypnosis is an evidence-based treatment for addiction, which is also used to treat a plethora of other psychological difficulties.  The hypnosis should always be performed by a trained, certified hypnotist and an informed, consenting client. 

As I posted previously, hypnosis is a heightened state of consciousness deliberately induced by the hypnotist on a consenting individual.  The change in consciousness has actually been measured and observed in EEG readings of the brain during studies.  The client is more open to suggestion during this state.  

During this state of extreme focus, a client becomes less aware (less concerned at the time of hypnosis) of what is going on around them focusing more deeply on some aspect of their inner experience.  These experiences can involve your sensations, your memories, your feelings and/or your thoughts - especially sensations associated to relaxation. There are three (3) important facets of the hypnotic "relaxation" (sometimes loosely referred to as hypnotic trance) which is absorption, dissociation, and suggestibility.  

Absorption is kind of a deep mental focus.  You become deeply absorbed and mentally involved in whatever you are perceiving, thinking about or imagining.  You concentrate very intently, similar to when you become absorbed in watching a movie or reading a a book.   

Dissociation of the hypnotic state means that you separate out the aspects of the hypnosis experience that you are focusing on from other possible distractions that you'd normally be aware of at the same time, to an unusual degree.  An example of this is when, or if, the hypnotist has you lift an arm or raise a finger.  You are actually in control of what you are doing, despite the dissociative experiencing that might seem that your arm or digit is being controlled externally.

Suggestibility is self-explanatory and critical in any hypnosis technique.  This is where the hypnotist uses positive language and scenarios to assist your subconscious mind to rewrite your internal program change in order to achieve your desired result.  While in your heightened state of suggestibility, you are more open to receive ideas.   You become more passive and compliant with your goals that you shared with the hypnotist.  Clients become more imaginative, more open to fantasy, and sometimes more capable to access long-forgotten memories.  Now just a slight side note regarding these memories, they are not always reliable, however real they may seem.  

This relaxed state can help you obtain a different perspective on your addictive behavior(s).  What typically seems impossible - quitting a substance or behavior that is central to your existence - can seem both desirable and achievable.  Although everybody responds differently to hypnosis; many who undergo this healing modality develop a capacity to free themselves from long-term behavior patterns in the waking state.

There are many, many myths about hypnosis, many raising the issue of whether or not hypnosis is effective or safe.  Yet, hypnosis IS safe when performed by a trained hypnotist, and even self-hypnosis is regarded as safe.  

Many studies (most available on-line) have shown that hypnosis can help you with addictions since hypnosis can allow you, through suggestive power, to strengthen your willpower in overcoming your addictive cravings and urges.  "The hypnotic state decreases a person's peripheral awareness, heightening attention and suggestibility to potentially effectively alter the neurophysiological networks capable of rewiring certain patterns and suggestions".  This means that your feelings and behaviors continue to be influenced even after you come out of hypnotic trance.  

You WILL BE extremely disappointed if you think hypnosis is somehow a magical ride on a mystical unicorn, and erases your addiction in a single session.  Hypnosis is a tool that unlocks human potential through the power of suggestion and it is not a magical formula.  It is not an instant fix!  Hypnosis can help you address your addictions and associated problems, but these issues are complex and challenging both for you and for the hypnotist.  To be open and honest, hypnosis does not work for everyone because there are internal factors that come into play as well as external factors such as the environment, saboteurs (including self-sabotage), possible secondary gains from an addiction, what is the addiction helping you hide (dissociative amnesia),  etc.  Unfortunately, there is a high rate of substance abuse among abuse victims whereby they repress painful memories that can be physical, emotional or psychological.

Please re-read this disclaimer:

"Currently, I am not, nor is anyone associated with Lakes Region Hypnosis Center or Peaceful Light Healing & Hypnosis, a medical doctor or medical professional and we recommend that any chemical and/or drug abuse addict seek the attention of their own medical professional(s). Hypnosis is an adjunct to this medical treatment and should not be deemed as replacement therapy to anyone seeking attention from their medical professional(s).  I, as a trained, certified hypnotist require release form(s) from your medical professional(s) and shouldn't, can't and won't work with you until then.  We have release forms available and will provide them to you.  This is for my and your safety, protection and well-being."    

This my dear friends brings us to the close of today's post.  I hope it shed more light on many of the issues and/or problems trained, professional consulting hypnotists like me can assist you, your loved ones, your friends and/or your co-workers/associates to change, freeing all towards a happier existence.  We help people help themselves through the use of hypnosis and your very powerful mind.

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