Hypnosis has been accepted by the American Medical Association since 1958. In fact Hypnosis has successfully been used for many years prior to that.

Here are just a few of the statistics for the use of hypnosis:

Alfred Barrios PhD indicated the following statistics concerning effectiveness:

Psychoanalysis - 35% recovery after 600 sessions.

Behavior Therapy - 72% recovery after 22 sessions.

Hypnotherapy - 93% recovery after 6 sessions.

American Psychotherapy & Medical Hypnosis Association Cochrane Review Abstracts, Oxford, 1999 reports: Hypnotherapy is a process by which a person, with the assistance of a trained hypnotherapist, has his/her subconscious mind opened to suggestion for the purpose of changing one or more behavior patterns. When the subconscious is spoken to directly, it may be possible to reprogram old behavior patterns and introduce new ideas and positive suggestions. These positive suggestions may then be used to help make the changes you desire.

What is an Addiction?

An addiction is being abnormally tolerant to and dependent on something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming (especially alcohol or narcotic drugs).

We often get confused between a habit and an addiction. Sometimes a behavior starts as a habit but many times develop into an addiction. This can happen with alcohol, drugs, food, smoking, shopping or anything that controls your life. When you let it take over your life, that’s when it becomes an addiction.

We all have basic needs, wants, and desires. When these are not met, we experience uncomfortable feelings and uneasiness. When this happens, we have two options:

We can satisfy our needs/wants/desires.

Or we can distract ourselves to avoid the feeling of that desire.

The problem with distraction is that it's only a temporary fix and the feeling of desire can come back again, and again. As the distracting behavior continues, our need for the addiction become stronger the more we try to ignore it. We may find our minds going back to its old patterns and routines. We find ourselves tempted to repeat those old thoughts and behaviors and it starts to get out of control and we can’t seem to stop it. We consistently hear people making excuses or using the old belief pattern that "one more won't hurt". Just know they are excuses and not reality. Soon it will require more time and energy distracting ourselves in order to get the same relief. And the vicious cycle continues until everything just seems hopeless. If we find ourselves falling into addictive behaviors, hypnosis could be a useful alternative to help correct those behaviors. Hypnosis creates a unique environment to identify these feelings and find appropriate alternative responses.

So why Hypnosis?

Before Hypnosis is considered as an option, the individual must want to change their addictive patterns. Hypnosis will not work if the person doesn’t want to cooperate and change their ways. Hypnosis works for anyone that feels they are losing control and regain balance so that they can lead a normal life again. During hypnosis the therapist can help the individual gain control over their life in many ways by setting goals and targets for the individual to track their progress. Also, hypnosis does not deprive an individual of their desires but instead, reprogram their mind to believe that their life will be better without whatever substance they were addicted to. No more excuses, no more denial—just a positive outcome to a better life.

All habits and addictions are controlled by the sub-conscious mind. When you try to use willpower or discipline to control the behavior, you are using a tool of the conscious mind. You are literally using the wrong tool for the job for example—it’s like using a hammer to put a screw into the wall! It’s not going to work! Doesn’t it make sense that if we want to change something that exists in the sub-conscious mind we would need a tool or method to gain access to where all this destructive behavior is coming from? Sounds simple --- well actually it is! Hypnosis is the one and only tool that does give us access to the sub-conscious mind so we can correct the problem at the source.

A great part of the sub-conscious mind is that it cannot tell the difference between fantasy and reality. Did you ever have a dream and it seemed so real that you believed it to be true? Hypnosis works with the subconscious mind so that new positive suggestions are implanted deep inside the mind, and the mind then believes them to be true. Hypnosis relaxes the body and eases the mind into a pleasant, relaxed, and altered state. Within this state, the mind is then able to absorb new healthy positive suggestions.

Can anyone be Hypnotized?

Since hypnosis deals with someone’s natural state of mind, anyone can have hypnosis performed on them. If you feel sad at a sad movie, that means you are suggestible. If you are suggestible, then you CAN be hypnotized! Remember, hypnosis is a perfectly natural state of mind and almost everyone finds it extremely relaxing and enjoyable.

The Pros of addiction!

Although we may associate addiction as a bad thing, there is, however, a positive side to addictions. If a person has an addictive personality, he can actually use it to their advantage. Using Hypnosis we can help someone become addicted to something that is truly nourishing and positive. Instead of reaching for a cigarette, alcohol or food, imagine yourself reaching for exercise gear, a book, or even water.

Getting rid of an addiction is something that you have to do for yourself, not because someone else wants you to do it. You need to have your own compelling reasons why you desire to give up a particular addiction. Once you do know, with absolute certainty, that you've had enough of the addiction and are ready to move on, hypnosis is one of the best, most efficient, effective and successful ways to go.

This article was written by Diane Edwards C.M.H., Master Hypnotherapist since 1989, practicing in San Diego CA. Diane can be reached at DianeEdwards@GreatHypnosis.com or visit www.DianeEdwards.com