Hypnotherapy for addiction
Recovery from addiction requires long-term behaviour change. Doing this can be difficult and is greatly helped by having a strong support system in place.
Hypnotherapy works by encouraging you to fall into a deeply relaxed state, sometimes referred to as a hypnotic trance. When you are in this state, your subconscious is more open to suggestions. This is where a hypnotherapist can help you change your perspective on addiction and help change habits, behaviours and thought patterns that lead to addiction. Instead of feeling like overcoming addiction is impossible, hypnotherapy can help you see that it’s achievable.
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Hypnotherapy can help in one session, or may require a more long-term approach - this will depend on the nature and severity of your addiction.
If you are struggling with withdrawal symptoms and added stress during your recovery, hypnotherapy can offer another layer of support, alongside other remedies such as exercise and eating a balanced diet. The process of hypnotherapy itself is very relaxing and can help you lower stress levels and help you feel better able to manage stress. As stress can often be a trigger for addictive behaviour, this can make a big difference.
To reinforce changes made in your hypnotherapy sessions, your therapist may show you self-hypnosis techniques. This can keep you feeling strong and motivated on your journey.
How addictions can affect your life
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An addiction can be very tough to live with and can affect both your relationships and your career. If your addiction requires spending money, you may quickly find yourself in financial trouble. Addictions can become all-consuming, meaning you struggle to focus on other areas of your life. You may start to miss work or neglect relationships.
You may have turned to addiction because you’re already experiencing troubles in these areas. For many, financial difficulties and unemployment can trigger addiction. Other difficulties, such as stress and emotional pressure, can also cause someone to develop an addiction. As well as affecting work-life and careers, addiction can have a devastating impact on both your physical and mental health.