How to use hypnosis to beat addiction!
When we talk about addiction, we often think about drugs like alcohol, opiates, nicotine, or painkillers. However addiction can come in many forms, some of which are more treatable than others.
According to www.verywellmind.com, most people who engage in addictive behaviours and go on to develop an actual addiction, find that overcoming it is more challenging than they expected.
Even though the difficulties people have with quitting drugs are well known, when people start using, they often feel that addiction is a myth and they can quit any time they want. Or they feel that they are an exception to the rule.
This is even more likely with non-substance, or behavioural, addictions involving activities such as excessive eating, sex, gambling, shopping, and exercise. What makes the situation even more complicated is that for every addictive behaviour, there are some people who are able to engage in the behaviour without developing an addiction.
This is true of all of the behavioural addictions (some of which involve healthy or necessary actions, like eating, exercise, and shopping). But it’s also true of substance use. There are some cases of controlled drinking, recreational marijuana use, and even controlled heroin use.
Whatever kind of addiction you may be challenged by, there is often a way out
What will I learn in this blog?
• That addiction can have many forms and varieties
• Some people are more likely to get addicted
• Looking at the cause of an addiction is often useful
• How hypnosis could help you conquer them
How do we get addicted?
According to the NHS (www.nhs.uk), there are lots of reasons why addictions begin. In the case of drugs, alcohol and nicotine, these substances affect the way you feel, both physically and mentally. These feelings can be enjoyable and create a powerful urge to use the substances again.
Gambling may result in a similar mental “high” after a win, followed by a strong urge to try again and recreate that feeling. This can develop into a habit that becomes very hard to stop.’’
Being addicted to something means that not having it causes withdrawal symptoms, or a “come down”. Because this can be unpleasant, it’s easier to carry on having or doing what you crave, and so the cycle continues.
Often, an addiction gets out of control because you need more and more to satisfy a craving and achieve the “high”.
How do we take back control?
Here are some great ways to help beat addictions.
Think abut your life. You became addicted to something for a reason, so think back to analyse when and why it first stared, what were the triggers that kicked it off? Find out why you started using these substances or indulging in these behaviours.
In most cases, individuals start using stimulants to cover up the emptiness they feel. Others feel unhappy or stuck in life. Remember, your exterior world is a reflection of who you are. To change your outer world, you have to change your inner world.
When you fix yourself, the rest will fall in place. Reflecting on your life will help you understand why you became addicted and the best course of action.
Get creative! Do you like playing music, dancing, drawing or acting? These art forms are important for a recovering addict because he or she can do them without having to suffer from the side effects of substances and other destructive behaviours. Maybe this is the opportunity to learn something new in your life!
Be accountable. Tell someone about your addiction, someone who will support you through your journey. By sharing your thoughts, emotions and progress a couple of times a week, you can make much faster progress. Tip: Choose someone who will tell you the truth!
Exercise regularly. A study shows that physical exercise will improve your health and reduce the risk of developing terminal diseases such as cancer, heart diseases, and diabetes. Physical exercise will help you feel better about yourself because it energises you during the day and makes you sleep better at night.
To beat your addiction, you should start working out. Recovering addicts who have been exercising regularly have reported that their worries and stress dropped. They also improved their social skills and became fulfilled with their lives.
Identify your weak areas. When are you most likely to indulge in addictive behaviour? Do you do it in your car? Or in the pub?
It’s important to make plans early enough to avoid sinking in the same act again and again. For instance, if you usually smoke in your car before walking into your office, you can think of doing something that will benefit you in the long run during that period.
It could be something like drinking some juice, calling someone or chewing gum. By replacing the negative behaviours with the positive, you’ll feel better about yourself and you’ll start recovering.
Help Others. The best way to learn something new is by teaching it. If you are struggling with addiction, the best way to help yourself is by helping someone who is in a deeper hole than you. In most cases, people who help others are usually less depressed and frustrated.
Stay away from people who encourage addiction. If you want to stop using drugs, you won’t make any progress by associating with drug abusers. You have to surround yourself with people who focus on their health and indulge in positive habits such as exercising, traveling, eating healthy foods, writing and striving to achieve their dreams.
Since you are an addict, it’s likely that your closest friends are addicts too. When you start your recovery journey, your friends may not understand why you don’t hang out with them anymore. Yet, it is necessary to keep a distance.
The same applies to gambling, food, sex or any other kind of addiction. Your closest friends are often a reflection of who you are.
Talk to a professional. Whether you discuss matters with your doctor, a psychotherapist or hypnotherapist, it’s really useful to get a professional opinion.
OK – How does hypnotherapy help addiction?
Hypnotherapy works from 2 different directions, firstly to look and see what has actually caused the addictive behaviour in the past, and then to give you the tools you need to be able to fight that addiction by increasing your willpower, resolve and determination.
I was a smoker for 20 years, so I know how difficult it can be face addiction. I had tried everything to stop, and towards my early 30s, it was becoming a problem; I felt breathless, hated the smell, annoyed ay my inability to stop, the list went on…..
A friend suggested going to see a hypnotherapist in London. I was sceptical, even though my degree study was in psychology, but I was desperate enough to give it a try. After the first session I didn’t feel radically different, I wasn’t even sure that something had happened whilst is was ‘under’, but I didn’t smoke for the rest of that day, or the rest of that week. I just didn’t think about it. I went back for a second session a few days later and that really helped to seal my new found status as a non-smoker. I haven’t smoked since and that was 26 years ago.
It’s important to find a therapist that respects your confidentiality, so that you feel comfortable telling them all about your issues.
Remember, as we said at the beginning, your exterior world is a reflection of who you are. To change your outer world, you have to change your inner world. That’s where hypnosis really comes in.
You can get more information about breaking addictions from the NHS, or find out more about hypnosis and how it works, have a look here:
CASE STUDY #1 – Sugar Addiction
Celia Waddington had a real addiction to sugar. Hypnosis really helped her to kick it for good!
“After trying every single avenue to curb my life long battle with sugar addiction I decided to give hypnosis a go. I sceptically booked an appointment with Jonathan at The Hypnosis Clinic fully anticipating failure. I could not have been more wrong! After four sessions not only had I stopped binging on sugar on a daily basis I hadn’t even thought about it. I no longer had to rely on will power every single minute of the day, my mind was at rest and I continue to be beyond happy with the results one year later.
I now manage my hypnosis at home with a personalised recording Jonathan made for me and I occasionally top up as and when I can. It’s the best health investment I ever made, I’m a now a hypnosis advocate.
A year later I decided to take my Daughter to see Jonathan as she was really struggling with her phobia of insects, particularly flies, bees, moths and butterflies. It even extended to fish in the sea. The poor thing was petrified of these things. Jonathan saw her for three sessions and made a recording for her. She was pretty quickly able to remain calm and over time she has lost her fear altogether. I can’t recommend Jonathan more highly.
CASE STUDY #1 – Nail Biting
Cynthia Newman had bitten her fingernails ever since she was a child. Could hypnosis cure her?
Yesterday was my last consultation at the Hypnosis Clinic. I am totally amazed that just after four consultations I have kicked my nail biting habit, that is a habit of 40 years gone in 4 hourly sessions!
I believe that Jonathan at the Hypnosis Clinic can help anybody with any habit, addiction, problem or condition. I have had hypnotherapy in London and Jonathan’s skills are the best I have even encountered.
After the first session I stopped biting my nails and I became aware of when, how and why I was doing this. My mind started working with me and not against me and it has been amazing learning experience.
Having attended the Hypnosis Clinic has not only helped me with nail biting but also I now manage stress much better. I am calmer, happier and much more confident.
In that respect I would recommend it to anybody as we can all do with less stress and more confidence and general well being.
I found the whole experience relaxing and professional. After every session I felt healthier, calmer and ready to face all the challenges of life.
What did I learn here?
That addictions can be challenging; they often have their roots deep into our childhood, however, even serious addictions can be cured.
Sometimes people feel that their addictions are simple, or silly, or not worth bothering anyone with, however, if it’s something that’s taking over your life, it really can be stopped.
If you’d like to find out more about how hypnosis can help you to be free of addiction, have a look at our website, https://thehypnosisclinic.com. We offer a free initial consultation, either by a Telehealth video link or at our clinic right in the heart of London’s Regent Street.