Can Hypnosis Work for Alcoholism?

Is Hypnotism Effective in Helping Stop a Drinking Problem?

Alcohol use disorder can be notoriously tricky to treat, but there are lots of techniques out there that claim to have evidence of their efficacy. You may encounter a variety of complementary therapies to supplement your counseling, including art therapy, yoga, and even hypnosis.

Can hypnosis work for alcoholism, and should you prioritize trying it?

Hypnosis for alcohol use disorder might not be a standalone treatment, but it can work well in tandem with other forms of therapy. In a focused state, hypnotists can offer suggestions that reduce cravings and get to the bottom of triggers that lead to drinking. It’s personalized, flexible, and can help with a variety of mental health issues.

Purpose Healing Center knows how hard it can be to treat alcohol addiction. That’s why we provide our clients with all of the tools they need to put the bottle down, including hypnosis. Here’s what you need to know about how hypnosis works and whether you should try it as part of a robust treatment plan.

Can Hypnosis Work for Alcohol Use Disorder?

Traditional treatments may seem somewhat limited in their scope. Most people will attend some form of counseling, group therapy, and peer support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous. But there are endless types of complementary treatments to sample: yoga therapy, art therapy, and even hypnosis.

Does the scientific research support using hypnosis sessions for alcohol addiction?

Clinical hypnosis could indeed be a form of effective treatment for some of the behavioral and physical complaints associated with active addiction. Let’s take a closer look at how it works and why you might want to find a trained hypnotherapist.

How Does a Hypnosis Session Work?

When you first sit down with an expert in hypnosis, knowing what to expect can be useful. It may not be a simple or one-time fix for alcohol consumption, but substance abuse can greatly benefit from a proper therapeutic technique.

Keep in mind that professional hypnosis is different from self-hypnosis, which may not be as effective for alcohol abuse.

When you sit down with a trained professional, they are going to put you in a trance-like state. You may not be aware of everything that they are saying to you or suggesting to you, but your mind will be open to their suggestions. While here, they’re going to recommend that you stop drinking or try to convince your body that it no longer requires alcohol.

The idea is that they want to alter your behavior in a fundamental way. While your brain activity is open to exploring new ideas without the conscious interference of your rational mind, hypnotherapists can change your entire relationship to alcohol cravings.

What Does Hypnosis Research Say About Efficacy?

While there is a lot of research out there to support traditional methods of treating alcoholism, there are fewer studies pointing to the benefits of clinical and experimental hypnosis. However, that doesn’t mean that science doesn’t put in the direction of its efficacy.

Intensive treatment plans that incorporate professional hypnosis are proven to have high success rates. Like cognitive and clinical neuroscience, a hypnotic state can set patients up for successful outcomes.

In one study, addiction treatment was evaluated in comparison to other treatments. Participants with a substance use disorder had twenty daily sessions of hypnosis and had a very high success rate at their one-year follow-up (77 percent).

To stop drinking, hypnosis must be used by a professional. The AMA considers hypnosis a medically valid technique to help with alcohol dependence. More research is needed to establish repeatable frameworks that can be used for alcohol use disorder and mental health issues instead of basing a session on intuition.

What are the Benefits of Hypnosis for Alcoholism and Mental Health?

More than a guided meditation, your hypnotic state actually allows you and your clinician to tap into the subconscious mind to overcome alcoholism. In itself, this seems like a beneficial treatment, but why is it growing in popularity?

Before you add this complementary therapy to your detailed treatment plan, here’s what you need to know.

Personalized Treatment Options to Treat Alcoholism

One complaint about treating substance use disorder compared to other mental health issues is that it may not be as flexible. People work through the Twelve-Step framework, moving one step at a time. If they’re in traditional therapy with motivational interviewing, they might experience a repetitive process.

Hypnosis offers something different from all of that.

Your hypnotherapy session can exact positive changes because it is all about you: where you are right now, what thoughts are in your mind when you’re in a relaxed state, and how you move through some of the visualization exercises.

In other words, your hypnosis therapist will tap into your mind in a meditative state, offering help that’s more tailored to your unique experience. One of your sessions won’t be like anyone else’s session–and that’s a good thing! Recovery is a unique journey and should be treated as such.

Regardless of the techniques used, functional brain changes are observed with the repeated use of hypnosis.

Uncovering Triggers and Causes for Drinking Alcohol

Do you know why you’re having a hard time stopping drinking? Certified hypnotherapists might be able to pinpoint some of the causes beneath your drinking when you enter into this deeply relaxed state. If you can’t start managing triggers because you don’t know what they are, hypnosis is a valuable tool.

While it’s not a magical solution, it might allow you to tap into the hard memories that you avoid in more traditional talk therapy. Even if you don’t realize it, thought patterns and past experiences may surface with the right hypnotherapist.

This allows you to recognize situations you should avoid, identify emotional triggers that may tempt you to drink, and interact with daily life in a more mindful way. An experienced hypnotherapist may get to the bottom of the cause of your drinking with focused attention, creating lasting changes.

Can You Pair Alternative Therapies with Traditional Treatment?

One of the benefits of hypnosis for alcohol dependence is that you don’t necessarily have to abandon all of the interventions established by the American Psychiatric Association. Randomised controlled trials that demonstrate efficacy with cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing can support your recovery.

In the early stages of your recovery, you need all the help you can get to minimize the potential risks of quitting your drinking outright.

Hypnosis isn’t generally considered a standalone solution for drinking or drug use. Reducing cravings is certainly a perk of this treatment, but it can be even more powerful in tandem with therapy. You can get the help you need for your confidence in sobriety to soar when you tap into all treatments.

Should You Try Self-Hypnosis Instead of Trained Professionals?

Some people are naturally skeptical of the science behind hypnosis and don’t want to waste their time or hard-earned money on flimsy science. Hypnosis is evidence-based for alcohol addiction, but some people prefer to sample it at home with YouTube videos and guided meditations.

Self-hypnosis is less reliable and may not lead to the helpful trance or personalized attention required to really help you alleviate drinking. It may help with self-esteem and anxiety, but it will be harder to treat alcoholism this way.

If you want to try hypnosis and give it a real shot, find a trained professional first to see the difference between clinical hypnosis and what you can achieve on your own at home.

Will Insurance Cover Certified Hypnotists for Alcohol Addiction Support?

Unfortunately, many people find that their hypnosis isn’t covered by insurance to the same extent that a more evidence-based treatment program will be. Anxiety, self-esteem, and other issues can all benefit from the focused state found in hypnosis, but how do you pay for it?

One solution is to enroll in a treatment program that utilizes hypnosis as a complementary therapy. For example, you can enroll in an inpatient rehab center like Purpose Healing Center that prioritizes all of the treatments that might help you stop drinking once and for all.

While you’re with us, your insurance covers a daily rate that encompasses all treatments, including therapy, group sessions, Twelve-Step meetings, recreational therapy, and even hypnosis. It allows clients to sample hypnosis for alcohol use disorder without having to pay out of pocket for it.

Purpose Healing Center accepts most forms of AHCCCS and Medicaid, but we’re also in-network for most private health insurance plans. Our enrollment team can verify your benefits in a confidential and quick call to give you a realistic expectation of what you’ll pay.

You may be surprised to learn that rehab is covered in full by many insurance companies.

Get Proven Support for Sobriety by Enrolling at Purpose Today

Are you ready to seek help for substance abuse and alcohol addiction? While you can try self-hypnosis at home and can start to experience the benefits for yourself, you won’t get as far as you will with more professional hypnotists. Purpose Healing Center sets you on the path to healing.

We’re a JCAHO-accredited organization, meaning that you can rest easily knowing that your needs will be met while you’re with us. We offer all levels of care, starting with a true, dedicated medical detox to get you through the early days of your sobriety when withdrawal keeps you up at night. Then, you can move to residential or outpatient care at two convenient locations in Arizona.

Purpose Healing Center wants to be a part of your recovery story. Let us verify your insurance benefits and discuss our comprehensive treatment plans with you. Every person receives a tailored plan to help them overcome alcoholism in a way that suits them.

Reach out to us confidentialy now to reserve a spot in the program that’s right for you!

 

References

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4. Wolf, T. G., Faerber, K. A., Rummel, C., Halsband, U., & Campus, G. (2022). Functional Changes in Brain Activity Using Hypnosis: A Systematic Review. Brain sciences, 12(1), 108.
5. Sucala, M., Schnur, J. B., Glazier, K., Miller, S. J., Green, J. P., & Montgomery, G. H. (2013). Hypnosis–there’s an app for that: a systematic review of hypnosis apps. The International journal of clinical and experimental hypnosis, 61(4), 463–474.