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Hypnotherapy for Addiction Treatment

  • Reviewed by: Dr. Carl Williams, Ph.D., LCADC
  • Modified:
  • Reading Time: 8 minutes
  • Reviewed by: Dr. Carl Williams, Ph.D., LCADC
  • Last Update:
  • Reading Time: 8 minutes

Learn how hypnotherapy can complement addiction treatment, focusing on its techniques, benefits, and common misconceptions.

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In recent years, the term hypnotherapy has come to mean a variety of techniques, some of which have been used in a medical context. Hypnosis is a state of heightened awareness. While in hypnosis, one’s concentration is elevated, and the mind is more open to suggestions.

This heightened awareness can be achieved through various methods, including meditation, autogenic training, biofeedback, or hypnosis induction.

While some believe hypnosis is only for the weak-minded, there is much more to it. Hypnosis is an effective treatment for a variety of conditions. For example, hypnosis can treat anxiety, smoking cessation, and other conditions.

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Techniques & Applications for Behavior Change

How Does Hypnotherapy Work?

Hypnotherapy may be the answer if you’re looking for an alternative to psychotherapy. It is done using the Following Techniques:

Suggestion Therapy:

Behavioral modifications you may implement with the aid of hypnotherapy may be suggested. For example, a patient who is looking to stop smoking may be encouraged to think about how they would feel if they had never smoked in the first place.

Then they may be asked to wear a patch and refrain from smoking while wearing it. The patient may also be told to focus on tobacco’s adverse effects and associate these with the patch.

The use of suggestion is a technique that many therapists use. Hypnosis is an effective treatment because the request can be delivered in a safe and comfortable environment.

Experimentation with Memories:

This technique is often used in the treatment of phobias. It involves the patient being told to recall a memory in which they were safe. This memory may be associated with dread. Then, the patient may be asked to imagine how it would feel to be in the situation described in the memory.

The use of this technique is often combined with suggestion therapy.

Relaxation:

Relaxation is a technique that may be used in the treatment of anxiety. For example, an anxious person may be asked to focus on the breath, to breathe deeply, and imagine what it would be like to be in a tense situation.

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Key Benefits for Mental & Physical Health

Benefits of Hypnotherapy

With hypnotherapy, some individuals may see significant improvements.

Some of the benefits of hypnotherapy include the following:

Awareness:

Hypnosis may make a person aware of what they may not have noticed. For example, patients may be asked to focus on their breathing and think about the different parts of their bodies.

This technique may help a patient become aware of their thoughts and emotions.

Focus:

When hypnotized, people are more likely to focus on the task. This is useful for individuals struggling with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

This technique may also help a person focus on the things they are doing. For example, a person may be asked to focus on their feet and notice the feelings they are experiencing.

Sleep:

An anxious person may have trouble falling asleep. Hypnotherapy can be used to help a person fall asleep. In addition, it may help a person become aware of their thoughts and emotions.

For more information on the use of hypnotherapy, please get in touch with Rolling Hills Recovery Center.

Distraction:

Distraction is another technique that is used in hypnotherapy. This technique is often used to help people stop doing something they may be doing. For example, a person may be asked to focus on their feet and imagine what walking on a beach would be like.

Confidence:

Confidence is a big part of a person’s self-esteem. Hypnotherapy can be used to help a person gain confidence. In addition, it may be used to help a person feel more comfortable with their body.

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Separating Facts from Common Misconceptions

Myths About Hypnotherapy

Many medical experts still question the efficacy of hypnotherapy, making it a contentious topic. In addition, various misunderstandings and falsehoods might influence people’s perception of hypnotherapy.
 
1. Hypnotherapy Is Not a Medical Procedure:
 

Hypnosis is a type of therapy used in conjunction with medical procedures. You can receive hypnotherapy as a stand-alone treatment, but it is most commonly used to help people undergoing medical procedures.

 
2. Hypnotherapy Is an Intense State of Mind:
 
Hypnosis is not an intense state of mind. It is a type of therapy that uses suggestions to help a person gain control of their thoughts and feelings. The tips that a therapist gives to a patient during hypnotherapy are not as intense as suggestions that a person might receive from a therapist during psychotherapy.​
 
3. Hypnotherapy Can Harm a Person:
 
This is a fundamental misconception. Hypnotherapy can be used safely to help people who have specific medical conditions. It has been used for thousands of years to help people struggling with anxiety, stress, and depression.

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Understanding the Risks

Risks Associated with Hypnotherapy

Although hypnotherapy is considered a safe and effective form of therapy, it has risks.

Some of the risks include the following:

Hallucinations:

Hallucinations are common in people who are under the influence of hypnosis. This is because a hypnotized person is likelier to experience vivid, real-life dreams.

Self-Hypnosis:

Self-hypnosis is when a person uses hypnosis to help him or herself. This can be a dangerous practice. A self-hypnotized person may be unable to stop the self-hypnosis once it is initiated. This is because the self-hypnotized person may be unable to control their thoughts and emotions.

Dizziness:

Hypnotherapy is often used to help a person with dizziness and vertigo. During a hypnotherapy session, a therapist may ask a person to close their eyes and focus on the different parts of their body. This can help a person become more aware of their body.

Someone should speak with a therapist if someone experiences dizziness during a hypnotherapy session.

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In Conclusion

Making an Informed Decision on Hypnotherapy

Whether or not you decide to use hypnotherapy to help you, you can use it safely. However, if you do decide to use hypnotherapy, it is essential that you understand the risks and benefits associated with it.

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Written By:

Dr. Saman Aftab, Ph.D.

Dr. Saman Aftab, Mental Health write at Rolling Hills
Rolling Hills Recovery Center

Mental Health Writer

About Author:

Dr. Saman is a mental health writer with over six years of experience in freelance writing, editing, and proofreading. She is a practicing healthcare professional holding a doctorate in physical therapy at DOW University of Health Sciences. Dr. Saman started content writing to blend her passion for writing and medicine with her extensive clinical experience.

Medically Reviewed By:

Dr. Carl Williams Ph.D., LCADC

Carl Williams, medical content reviewer at rolling hills recovery center
Rolling Hills Recovery Center

Expert Contributor

About Reviewer:

Dr. Williams presently serves on the board of Directors for two non-profit service organizations. He holds a Master’s degree in Human Services from Lincoln University, Philadelphia, Pa, and a Ph.D. with a concentration in Clinical Psychology from Union Institute and University. In Cincinnati, Ohio. He is licensed to practice addictions counseling in both New Jersey and Connecticut and has a pending application as a practicing Psychologist in New Jersey.

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