Using hypnotic suggestion for the purpose of quitting drugs first originated with attempts to help smokers. The smoker would be brought into a hypnotic state and then given certain suggestions about the negative effects of smoking. While this type of treatment does not prove fruitful for everyone, it can be a reasonable technique for some.
WebMD reported that about 25 percent of subjects were found to have a positive effect from this type of treatment.
What Hypnotic Suggestions are Implanted?
There are three basic suggestions that are usually used when attempting to end substance abuse through hypnotic suggestion. These suggestions are geared at getting the individual to connect their substance with a negative affect on their health, and to feel an urgency to protect their health.
- The substance is bad for you, and therefore use of it must be discontinued.
- Your body is becoming ill due to the substance, and needs you to protect it.
- You need your health so that you can survive.
Is Hypnotic Suggestion Successful in Treating Alcohol and Drug Addiction?
Hypnosis can be used to good effect when taken in conjunction with more standard rehab treatments. However, as noted above it has only actually been seen to be successful in about a quarter of patients when used alone. This means that patients that want to get the largest benefits out of their treatment will want to pair it with other types of rehabilitation technique, rather than relying on it as a single resource. Those who wish to quit cold turkey may find that hypnosis will ease the difficulty of their transition and perhaps provide some level of peace of mind. However, it should also be noted that most of the articles that speak out positively for the use of hypnosis, such as Advanced Hypnosis of America, are directly related to the industry and therefore are not objective third-party resources.
How Can You Use Hypnosis to End Substance Abuse?
Those interested in attempting hypnosis will need to find a licensed hypnotherapist in their area. This is the only way to guarantee the appropriate treatment. However, there are also some rather inventive tools as well, such as hypnosis apps that claim to help users fight addiction.