hypnotherapy for drinking

 Toxicity, Drug addiction and Hypnosis

 syndromes (DSM IV-TR) distinguishes two main diagnostic forms:

    substance dependence
     substance abuse.

Substance dependence means a pathological way of use of the substance that leads to clinically significant impairment or discomfort, as manifested by three (or more) of the following conditions, which occur at any time during the same 12-month period:

1. tolerance, as defined by each of the following:

a) the need for considerably higher doses of the substance to achieve the desired intoxication or effect.
b) a significantly diminished effect with the continuous use of the same quantity of the substance.

2. abstinence, as manifested by each of the following:
a) the characteristic abstinence syndrome for the substance.
b) the same substance (or a closely related one) is taken to alleviate or avoid withdrawal symptoms.
3. the substance is often taken in larger quantities or for longer periods than the one foreseen by the subject
4. persistent desire or unsuccessful attempts to reduce or control the use of the substance
5. a large amount of time is spent in activities necessary to procure the substance (eg, smoking "in the chain"), or to recover from its effects
6. interruption or reduction of important social, work or recreational activities due to the use of the substance
7. continuous use of the substance despite the awareness of having a persistent or recurring problem, of a physical or psychological nature, likely caused or exacerbated by the substance (eg the subject continues to use cocaine despite the recognition of cocaine-induced depression, or continues to drink despite the recognition of an aggravation of an ulcer due to alcohol intake).
Substance abuse
It is intended for abuse, a pathological mode of use of a substance, which leads to clinically significant impairment or discomfort, as manifested by one (or more) of the following conditions, recurrent within a period of 12 months:
1. recurrent use of the substance resulting in an inability to fulfill the main tasks related to the role at work, at school or at home (eg repeated absences or poor work performance related to the use of substances, absences, suspensions or expulsions from school related to substances, neglect in the care of children or the home)
2. recurrent use of the substance in physically risky situations (eg driving a car or operating machinery in a state of impairment for the use of the substance
3. recurrent legal problems related to substances (eg arrests for substance-related harassment)
4. continuous use of the substance despite persistent or recurring social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of the substance (eg marital discussions on the consequences of intoxication, physical confrontation).

In the past it was believed that the patient who could benefit most from a psychotherapeutic treatment should first detoxify himself in order to have greater insight and sufficient therapeutic compliance. Psychotherapeutic approaches to the patient in pharmacological treatment and / or detoxification can actually be very useful.
In one search for example, it was observed that about 10% of opiate addicts in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) continue to use heroin and drugs. They constitute the most difficult patient population to treat in MMT centers because they present extremely difficult and negative behaviors as well as health problems.

Hypnosis has proved to be an effective technique in medical intervention to relieve pain, reduce anxiety, as well as being partially effective in the treatment of craving. Another of its advantages is the possibility of stopping drug use


   simultaneously with the administration of methadone. In a study using group hypnotic therapy for 10 patients using methadone concomitantly with drug use, the results obtained show that all patients (100%) stopped using drugs simultaneously with methadone and the results they remained stable for 6 months after the end of treatment. (Kaminsky D, Rosca P, Budowski D, Korin Y, Yakhnich L, 2008).
The use of hypnosis has proved useful even when used within a therapeutic community for drug addicts. Also used as an auxiliary technique to further treatments, it offers a considerable aid to the joint effort of the therapist and patient to reduce and / or avoid recurrences from use and abuse of drugs and to modify some of the psychodynamic processes underlying behavior ( toxic) -dependence (Iacovelli, 2012).
In the management of the individual clinical case in a private / ambulatory context, the typical strategies of "short psychotherapies" have proved useful, including the Ericksonian hypnotherapeutic approach. Hypnosis techniques are a sector of renewed clinical interest in this field. Their use favors a better processing of traumas, a greater emotional expression and allows to reduce the craving in detoxified subjects preventing the relapses. (Page RA, Handley GW, 1993)

Bibliography

Various Authors (2000). DSM IV-TR - Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Milan: Masson.

Page RA, Handley GW, 1993. The use of hypnosis in cocaine addiction. Am J Clin Hypn. 1993 Oct; 36 (2): 120-3.

.Kaminsky D, Rosca P, Budowski D, Korin Y, Yakhnich L, 2008 Group hypnosis treatment of drug addicts. Harefuah Aug-Sep; 147 (8-9): 679-83, 751.

Iacovelli A. 2012, The use of hypnosis as an auxiliary technique in the recovery of drug addicts treated in a therapeutic community. Hypnosis 1-2012, F.Angeli.