What Is the Connection Between Hypnosis and Drug Addiction?

For most people, hypnosis is synonymous with someone swinging an old pocket watch in front of someone’s face. This is perfectly normal, as that is how most of us found out about hypnosis in the first place. However, hypnosis is also one of the often-used addiction solutions Florida has to offer. Hypnosis is actually a very legitimate tool to fight addiction. Not everyone will benefit the same from it, of course, but people that are receptive to hypnosis can utilize it to great effect. In this article, we will explain exactly what hypnosis is, the connection between hypnosis and drug addiction, as well as point out some of the notable benefits of hypnosis.

What is hypnosis?

In terms of addiction treatment, hypnosis (or hypnotherapy) is known as a state of focused concentration and deep relaxation. You can also consider hypnosis to be a type of medicine for both body and the mind. Throughout the hypnotic process, a trained hypnotist will guide you into this relaxed state through imagery, repetition, and verbal cues. Once you reach the state of hypnosis, you will be able to ignore most distractions while being quite receptive to helpful suggestions.

The reason why most people have a suspicious outlook toward hypnosis is the fact that movies usually portray this practice as something that allows them to force someone else to do the things that they don’t want. In hypnotherapy, it is actually the opposite, as your hypnotherapist will be making suggestions for improving your health. Furthermore, hypnosis can be utilized to make small but meaningful changes in one’s life. This is why some couples rehab in Florida solutions involve the usage of hypnosis to overcome numerous issues. That being said, there is a lot that we don’t know about hypnosis. Therefore, there are a lot of myths around it.

Common myths about hypnosis

Some of the most common hypnosis myths include:

• Hypnosis isn’t real, it is a stage act.
• Hypnosis is actually deep sleep.
• You fall under the hypnotist’s full control while hypnotized.
• You will not remember anything after hypnosis.

First, while hypnosis has been used in many stage acts, it is a legitimate medical therapy. Hypnosis is often used in treatment plans that also include other medical approaches. Think of it as a therapy type that complements other forms of treatment. Furthermore, hypnosis is not sleeping but it is really easy to confuse the two. While you are under the effects of hypnosis, your body is very quiet and still but definitely not asleep.

Hypnosis also has absolutely no power to control you. While you may be more receptive to suggestions, you absolutely cannot be made to do anything against your will. You will not inadvertently reveal any private or secret information, nor will you lose control over your behavior. Lastly, you are fully aware of who you are, and where you are, and will remember everything that happened during the hypnotherapy. That being said, there is some merit to the last myth as some people might experience short-term memory loss after being hypnotized. These cases, however, are very rare.

What is hypnotherapy used for?

Hypnotherapy is used to help treat a number of medical conditions that have psychological factors. Some of the most common issues that may benefit from a hypnotic approach include insomnia, asthma, anxiety, phobias, behavior control issues (bedwetting, losing weight, giving up smoking, etc.), and skin conditions.

There are many other cases in which hypnosis has been helpful but they are not as well documented. We still do not know everything about the practice and it is quite possible that there are many more uses for hypnotherapy that we are not yet aware of. One thing is certain, however, – hypnosis can be an extremely powerful tool in your recovery toolbox. Many Adderall addiction rehab centers utilize hypnosis to help their patients return to their normal lives, usually with great success. The best thing about hypnosis is that it does not have any downsides. If it works for you, great! If it doesn’t, you can always turn to other solutions.

The connection between hypnosis and drug addiction

These days, hypnotherapy is included in most addiction therapy programs. The fact that hypnosis can be combined with virtually any other form of therapy makes it quite potent and a valuable inclusion in any treatment plan. It is, however, usually an addition to an existing treatment plan and not a treatment plan on its own. If you are wondering does insurance cover rehab and hypnosis, the answer is yes, at least when it comes to private health insurance, as Medicate will not cover hypnotherapy. Aside from insurance concerns, many people also ask the following questions:

• Can hypnosis cure addiction?
• How can hypnosis help with drug addiction?
• What to expect from hypnosis?
• What does hypnosis for drug addiction feel like?

Getting answers to these questions is the best way to understand the connection between hypnosis and drug addiction. It is also worth mentioning that hypnosis works differently for everyone.

Can hypnosis cure addiction?

Contrary to popular belief, hypnosis is not some sort of power that can magically cure addiction. It can help treat addiction, however. While there might not be large-scale studies as of yet, smaller studies documented that people who have undergone hypnotherapy for alcohol use disorder had an astonishing sobriety rate of 77% after one year. Another study, conducted among people with opioid use disorder, concluded that hypnosis had a great effect in helping the patients stay sober from all drugs. The small scale of these studies is not enough to include hypnosis in every Florida prescription drugs addiction treatment program, of course, but it does indicate the potential of hypnotherapy for treating addiction. The primary issue with hypnosis is that its effectiveness is highly individual. Some people are much more receptive to the practice, while others might not get as much effect from hypnotherapy.

How can hypnosis help?

Aside from being helpful in treating addiction directly, hypnosis can also enhance the effect of other treatment methods. This is the main reason why hypnotherapy is often included as a part of addiction treatment programs. Furthermore, hypnosis can help address numerous factors that lead to addiction in the first place, such as mental health issues (depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, etc.), and can help repair dysfunctional relationships.

Most people who struggle with addiction also suffer from at least one underlying mental health issue. The best way to overcome addiction is to treat or remove these issues. Since everyone reacts to addiction treatment in their own way, hypnotherapy has the potential to considerably reduce the recovery process if it is used in conjunction with other therapeutic methods. Hypnosis is often used to help treat opioid addictions, due to its ability to help with chronic pain. Another reason why many outpatient program Florida solutions utilize hypnosis is that it is proven that hypnosis can help people through surgery by relieving some of the distress about pain. Hypnosis has been used for battlefield medicine in the past, after all, so its effectiveness is undeniable.

What to expect from hypnosis?

The first thing that you can expect from hypnosis is that it will allow you to experience an altered state of consciousness. Your mind will enter a deep state of relaxation, sometimes referred to as a “trance”. Since hypnosis affects everyone differently, your psychotherapist/hypnotist will go over everything that might happen during the treatment process. One thing is certain, however, this trance-like state that hypnosis will put you in will make you more receptive to suggestions. Once this state is established, your psychotherapist will help you create thoughts that may lead to a long-term positive behavioral change. These suggestions are not random, either, they are always based on your own conversations and your own state of mind. A professional psychotherapist will know exactly what kind of suggestions to make to help foster positive changes.

What does hypnosis for drug addiction feel like?

For most people, hypnosis is nothing more than having a deep ability to focus. This allows them to narrow in on the issues that are fueling their addiction. Think of hypnosis as reading a really interesting book or watching a very immersive movie. The sensation is quite similar but more pronounced. What matters is your focus. While you are focusing on the story while reading a book, or on characters and their dialogue in a movie, being under hypnosis will allow you to focus on your innermost problems. The outside world will seem to vanish for a moment and you will be able to focus on what matters the most.

Of course, hypnotherapy is always voluntary. No one will ever force you to undergo hypnosis, even if it may be the right solution for you. However, since hypnosis can be extremely helpful in overcoming addiction, it is usually worth at least a shot. If it does not work, you lose nothing. If it does work, however, you might find your addiction recovery becoming much easier.

Benefits of hypnosis in addiction treatment

The connection between hypnosis and drug addiction is a beneficial one. There are several notable benefits that you may derive from hypnotherapy, including:

• Hypnosis can lead to improved sleep
• You will experience less intense cravings
• Hypnosis will allow you to relax
• You will be more open to suggestions

Furthermore, hypnosis can help you manage pain or at least the distress that comes from expecting pain. Needless to say, this can be extremely helpful in a variety of drug addictions. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the benefits of hypnosis in addiction treatment in a bit more detail.

Hypnosis can lead to improved sleep

As every psychotherapist worth their proverbial salt will tell you, sleep is essential to overcoming addiction. Hypnosis makes it easier for a person to get into a relaxed state of mind and body, allowing them to fall asleep more easily. Furthermore, hypnosis also has the potential to increase the time of deep sleep.

You will experience less intense cravings

One of the best uses for hypnotherapy is to reduce substance cravings. This makes it extremely valuable when it comes to overcoming addiction, as your therapist will be able to provide you with suggestions that will reduce your interest in a particular substance, or make it less desirable at the very least. Once you lose some of your interest in taking a particular substance, it will become easier to control your cravings.

Hypnosis will allow you to relax

During hypnosis, your mind and body enter a tranquil, relaxed, state. This can be a profound experience for some people, as they might not have had the chance to experience something like that before. This feeling of tranquility can help you deal with any triggers or stressors that your addiction places in front of you.

You will be more open to suggestions

Hypnosis puts your mind in a sort of trance. While in a trance-like state, your mind will become much more open to suggestions. This is extremely powerful when it comes to treating addiction, as your therapist will be able to reduce unhelpful behaviors and promote helpful ones. You are not under the therapist’s power either, as both you and your therapist will work on creating the suggestions before hypnotherapy even starts. Your goals are what is most important, after all. Hypnosis will not make you into a different person, it will simply nudge you in the direction you want to be going.

The connection between hypnosis and drug addiction is still being researched, however, and they may be even more benefits to be had. One thing is certain, though, and that is that hypnosis can help you overcome your addiction. If you want to learn even more about hypnotherapy and how it works alongside other treatment options, you can always contact Bright Futures Treatment Center directly. We will be more than happy to explain the details to you!