Book a sessionBoundaries first: where hypnosis is not the first step
There are situations in which hypnotherapy can only be an addition to medical care, and you need to start with a doctor:
- Physical alcohol dependence with withdrawal syndrome (tremor, sweating, insomnia, seizures when trying to stop). Abrupt withdrawal without supervision can be life-threatening.
- Opioid or other drug dependence with a physical component.
- Addiction alongside a psychiatric diagnosis (bipolar disorder, psychosis).
- Suicidal thoughts or a recent overdose.
What hypnosis works well with
What the research shows, honestly
Bottom line: the evidence is strongest for hypnosis as an addition to other methods and as relapse prevention. Hypnosis is not a magic pill that "switches off" addiction in one session, and I do not promise that.
How the work goes
Alcohol, gambling or a screen always "solves" some task: relieving anxiety, giving a sense of control, filling emptiness, allowing you not to feel. We find that task; without it the work stays superficial.
Time, place, emotion, people after which the craving appears. Usually 3–5 key situations.
In trance we rewrite the automatic response to each trigger: instead of "stress → drink", "stress → exhale, pause, a different action".
Behind addiction there is often an unfinished event: loss, trauma, chronic loneliness. We work it through; otherwise the craving returns in another form.
A 2–3 minute self-hypnosis for the moment the pull comes. According to Pekala's data, daily practice is what actually lowers relapse.
Support sessions 2 and 6 weeks after the main course. Relapse most often happens in exactly this period.
How many sessions are needed
Psychological dependence on alcohol or gambling usually takes 4–8 sessions plus 1–2 follow-ups. Behavioral addictions (screens, social media), 3–5. Smoking, 1–3. If you are in or have completed medical treatment, hypnotherapy for relapse prevention takes 3–4 sessions.
FAQ
Can hypnosis "code" me against drinking?+
I do not do "coding". It is a marketing term for instilling fear of using. It may work short-term, but it does not address the cause, and relapse afterwards is often harder. I work with the cause and the triggers.
Do you work with people who drink daily?+
If there are signs of physical dependence (withdrawal when stopping), an addiction specialist comes first, then hypnotherapy in parallel. If daily use is psychological, without withdrawal, yes, we work.
A loved one is addicted but refuses treatment. Can you help?+
Without the person's own desire, no. But I can work with you: codependency, anxiety, exhaustion from living next to an addicted person is a separate, very real request.
Does it combine with groups (AA) or psychotherapy?+
Yes, and that is the best option. Research consistently shows that hypnosis strengthens other methods rather than competing with them.
What if I relapse after the course?+
A relapse is not failure but information: which trigger we missed. One support session usually gets you back on track.
References
- Pekala R.J. et al. (2004). Self-hypnosis relapse prevention training with chronic drug/alcohol users: effects on self-esteem, affect, and relapse. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis.
- Hasan F.M. et al. (2014). Hypnotherapy is more effective than nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation: results of a randomized controlled trial. Complementary Therapies in Medicine.
- Elkins G. et al. (2006). Intensive hypnotherapy for smoking cessation: a prospective study. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis.
- Barnes J. et al. (2019). Hypnotherapy for smoking cessation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
- Kirsch I., Montgomery G., Sapirstein G. (1995). Hypnosis as an adjunct to cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy: a meta-analysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.