Answers to Consumer Questions

   

Question 8: "I'm interested in stopping drinking and have heard about hypnosis as an alternative. Could you please provide me with some info on what the normal process will be through you (# of sessions required) etc.? Many thanks, S."

Answer #1: Yes        Answer #2: Maybe

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Answer #1: Yes

Thanks for writing, S.

Hypnosis offers a very powerful intervention for drinking problems, as it does for most addictive targets such as food, nicotine, and prescription and street drugs.

The normal treatment process starts with a good intake interview, usually 80 to 90 minutes in length. I like to take a comprehensive history before we start the hypnosis so that I know we are headed down the right path.

Most people struggling with addiction problems have tried to quit many times and tried many ways to stop on their own. Therefore, I don’t want hypnosis to become another tried and failed intervention, because I have seen it work so many times if it is applied properly.

With most people who are amenable to hypnotherapy, you can tell if it is working within the first three to five sessions, and many times, people have noticeable relief after the first session. After that, the sessions can either be stretched out to a maintenance level of once every two to four weeks.

Many people find that my hypnotherapy system can be very effective without coming into the office at all. This patented technology has been clinically tested and proven under grants from the National Institutes of Health. It is very effective for maintaining the effects of hypnosis through days, weeks and months.  If you have a good health care plan, the costs of the sessions is usually covered to some extent.

I hope my answer has been helpful. Please give me a call a (206) 232-9474 if you would like to speak to me directly. I offer a free telephone interview for anyone wishing to find out more about clinical hypnotherapy and whether it can help them with their specific problem.

Best of Luck!

Rob

[Webmaster's note: I had written response #2 below and was not satisfied with it.  I asked Rob to write a response because, while I have dabbled in hypnosis, Rob has done extensive research in medical hypnosis and seemed better qualified to answer.  I have inserted his professional information below. ]

Robert B Speigel, ACSW, LICSW
Board Certified Diplomate, NASW
Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist
 

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Answer #2: Maybe

Dear S:

RE: hypnosis to stop drinking.

I have a master’s degree in substance abuse counseling and 17 years of experience in the field. I am also a Washington State Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). I have been trained in hypnosis and use hypnotherapy as one of my counseling skills.

I can't tell you how many hypnosis sessions it would take for you to stop drinking, because I don't personally know anyone who has successfully used hypnosis to stop drinking. I don't know whether it would be possible for someone with a serious alcoholism problem.  I imagine there are hypnotists out there who specialize in such treatment; however, I am not familiar their success rates.

The effectiveness of hypnosis would depend on a number of issues: How serious is the drinking problem? How much do you consume? In what setting? (alone vs. in a bar or other social setting.) What beverage in what amounts? How long have you been drinking? How long has it been a problem? What other techniques have you tried? How committed are you to quitting?

The effectiveness of hypnotherapy is influenced by a number of other issues. Have you ever been hypnotized? Was it effective? Are you suggestible or do you have a tendency to be resistant and uncooperative? How much do you want to quit? How hard are you willing to work to achieve quitting for good?

Another problem is that by the time drinking has become a problem, it also has become part of your coping mechanisms (how you deal with the world). This means that under certain circumstances, drinking alcohol is part of the way you cope—or deal with—the situation. For example, you might use it to deal with social anxiety. Socializing, dating and other activities in your life may have come to automatically include drinking.

If you want to stop drinking, you need to identify the positive functions of your drinking and find other (hopefully more healthy) ways to deal with your problems. If you try to use hypnotherapy to stop drinking without developing alternative coping methods then the absence of drinking leaves a big hole in your coping skills. How will you handle these situations without alcohol?

How hard are you willing to work to quit drinking? Too often people seek hypnosis as a painless shortcut. "I don't have to do anything and the problem will go away."

Eventually, you will need to learn some new thinking skills. If you haven't already, read the "Small Book" by Jack Trimpy.  Or you may prefer the spiritual approach of the "Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book," that has guided so many in their recovery.

I am sorry not to be able to answer all your questions, but I don't have all the information.

Floyd Else
Webmaster: www.CounselingSeattle.com

See also: "Drunk Driving and DUI: The Legal and Emotional Consequences"© 

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"S" Responds
 

Thanks Floyd:

"This is the most honest answer I have ever gotten and I appreciate your sincerity. Your thoughts, comments and concerns are much in line with mine. I believe I need to work things out myself and understand the reasons why I have used alcohol to cope with reality and pressure. I have lately engaged in various classes of hobbies I enjoy and since then I'm feeling really happy and able to fill the gap I have inside.

"I stopped drinking three weeks ago and have no cravings and no problems so far. I was drinking about 3 bottles of white wine per week and felt that my life was surrounded by responsibilities for others: a full time job (50-60 hours per week) and two small children.

"I now realize I have the right and the responsibility to take time off for myself and do things I enjoy. I do not wish to jeopardize in any way the future of my children and the best possible thing I can do is to give them a happy mother and not a numb mother.

"The reason I asked about hypnosis is that I met a lady last year who went through 6 sessions of hypnosis to stop drinking but it never worked.  About three weeks ago I called her again and asked her to try the sessions again. After much thinking, I came to the conclusion that what has been working so far for me is my real desire and resolution to stop drinking. I really appreciate your time and your response and hope more people would be as honest and upfront as you were with me."

Many thanks, S.

Related topic, see: Drunk Driving and DUI: The Legal and Emotional Consequences©

 

           

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