How Hypnosis Works to Help Overcome Addiction and Avoid a Relapse
Ditch the Cravings for Long-Term Recovery Success
Trying to beat an addiction by going “cold turkey”? That’s brave and admirable.
But here’s the reality: it often doesn’t get to the heart of what drove you to that dependency in the first place.
When that deep yearning inside you roars, it’s tough to silence the cravings—whether it’s for alcohol, drugs, or food—without digging into the root cause.
Enter hypnosis.
Hypnosis is an incredibly powerful tool for breaking free from addiction because it works on the subconscious level, where our habits and deeply ingrained beliefs live. Willpower? That’s the conscious mind at work. But hypnosis? It dives right into the subconscious to tackle the real issues fueling your addiction.
This method doesn’t just help manage cravings. It paves the way for long-term changes in your behavior and thought patterns, to get to the heart of what’s driving your addiction and transform it from the inside out.
Does hypnosis work for addiction?
Most people try to break a habit by sheer force of will, but that only fuels frustration and disappointment. That’s where hypnosis comes in. In 2007, Pax and Chris Prentiss showed in “The Alcoholism and Addiction Cure” how hypnotherapy greatly improved sobriety rates in in-patient treatment centers. Hypnosis digs deep, uncovering the root cause of addiction or dependency, whether it’s unresolved trauma or ingrained beliefs.
Hypnosis is a tool that helps us reconnect with our source of power, empowering us to make better choices and break free from destructive habits. By addressing the underlying causes of addiction, we can rebalance our physical, mental, and emotional states, reclaiming our lives and activating our full potential.
Especially when we have triggers that fuel the harmful behavior.
Take, for example, a client struggled with alcohol dependency. Through hypnosis sessions and personalized coaching, he was able to cut back his alcohol consumption and regain control of his life. By addressing the triggers and underlying beliefs that fueled his dependency, he was able to create a new sense of joy and purpose.
At The Flow Center, we believe that we all have the power within us to heal and transform our lives. Hypnosis is just one tool in our arsenal, helping us tap into our inner wisdom and unlock our full potential. So if you’re ready to break free from the chains of addiction and reclaim your power, we’re here to help you every step of the way.
How past trauma fuels addiction:
One of the primary reasons hypnosis is so effective in treating addiction is that it helps uncover and resolve emotional issues. Many addictions are rooted in past traumas or emotions that create a sense of emptiness or pain.
By guiding individuals into a deeply relaxed state, hypnosis allows them to access these buried emotions and release them in a safe and controlled environment. This emotional release can be incredibly cathartic, reducing the need for addictive substances or behaviors to cope with these feelings.
Hypnosis also helps to reframe negative beliefs and thought patterns that contribute to addictive behaviors. Often, individuals struggling with addiction hold self-defeating beliefs such as “I’m not good enough” or “I can’t cope without this substance.” These beliefs can create a sense of hopelessness and perpetuate the cycle of addiction.
Through hypnosis, individuals can identify and challenge these negative beliefs, replacing them with more positive and empowering ones. For instance, a person might begin to believe “I am strong and capable of overcoming this” or “I deserve to be healthy and happy.” These new beliefs can foster a greater sense of self-worth and motivation to stay on the path to recovery.
How to create healthy habits with hypnosis:
Another key aspect of hypnosis in addiction treatment is its ability to create new, healthier habits and coping mechanisms. During a session, the therapist uses suggestions to help the individual visualize themselves engaging in positive behaviors and experiencing the benefits of a sober lifestyle. This can make these new behaviors feel more natural and achievable, increasing the likelihood of sticking with them in day-to-day life.
For example, a person might visualize themselves choosing to exercise or meditate instead of reaching for a drink when they feel stressed. Over time, these positive behaviors can become second nature, reducing the reliance on addictive substances.
How to manage the stress of addiction:
Stress and anxiety are common triggers for addictive behaviors, and hypnosis is highly effective in helping individuals manage these emotions.
By inducing a state of deep relaxation, hypnosis can lower stress levels and promote a sense of calm and well-being. This relaxation response can help to reduce the intensity of cravings and make it easier to cope with these triggers in a healthy way. Additionally, hypnosis often includes techniques for stress management that individuals can use outside of sessions, such as deep breathing exercises, visualization, and mindfulness practices. These tools can empower individuals to handle stressful situations without giving in to their addiction.
Hypnosis can enhance self-control, which is crucial for overcoming addiction. Individuals are taught to become more attuned to their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This heightened self-awareness can help them recognize the early signs of craving or relapse and take proactive steps to prevent it, strengthening an individual’s resolve and commitment to their recovery goals and reinforcing their determination to stay sober.
How we do it:
The Flow Center’s program has been helping people for decades who want to banish their negative thoughts and habits and transform their lives:
Journey deep into your subconscious:
You’ll be guided into a deeply relaxed state that lets all other thoughts fall away so your mind can focus. This allows your subconscious to be more receptive to suggestion. The hypnotist will begin to unlock issues that have prevented you from experiencing self-acceptance and bring them to the surface.
Create new lovable habits for yourself:
The hypnotist will then reprogram your old internal belief system and rewire it to accept self-love. This new “coding” will allow you to transform the way you see, respond, and attach meaning to your issues. Instead of the negative emotions and patterns you once had, you’ll be able to create new and lovable habits surrounding the way you see yourself.
Develop new positive and loving beliefs:
The voices in your head telling you that you’re not enough will be silenced. No more beating yourself up. Instead, you’ll have effortless kindness and respect for the amazing person you already are. You’ll be able to step confidently into new habits that celebrate all your strengths and see your old habits with more compassion as they depart from your life.
Imagine a future where it is all possible:
You’ll be able to take more chances now that nothing is holding you back. Boldly embrace a new mindset where the opportunities open to you are endless. Nothing is beyond you. In fact, success is at the forefront of your mind.
Additionally, imagine a future where you break the cycle of negative thinking so your children don’t have to go through what you did.
See the benefits of self-love: The result is a gentle and effective ability to return to your natural love for yourself. It’s always been there, but it eroded over time when those negative beliefs crept in. Now that you’ve released those feelings, you have more space to allow your self-esteem to blossom.
Improve chances of addiction recovery with hypnosis:
Incorporating hypnosis into a comprehensive treatment plan can significantly improve the chances of long-term recovery.
It can complement other therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), by addressing the subconscious factors that drive addiction, while CBT tackles the conscious thought patterns and behaviors. Together, these approaches can provide a holistic framework for healing and transformation.
Ultimately, hypnosis empowers individuals to reconnect with their inner strength and wisdom, helping them to break free from the grip of addiction and create a fulfilling, addiction-free life. By addressing the root causes of addiction, reframing negative beliefs, creating new habits, managing stress, and enhancing self-awareness, hypnosis offers a path to lasting recovery and personal growth. If you’re struggling with addiction, consider hypnosis as a valuable tool in your journey towards health, happiness, and freedom.
Whether you’re in Dallas or would like a virtual session, The Flow Center can help you overcome addiction with hypnosis.
BREAK FREE FROM ADDICTION
Schedule a consultation via phone or zoom to find out if you are a good fit for hypnosis.