Addiction is developing dependence on a chemical substance physically and emotionally. Addicts believe that they are incapable of functioning without their addictive substance, to such an extent that their life is unimaginable without using it.
The commonest form of addiction that currently exists in society apart from smoking are Alcohol and Drug use.
An addict tries to gain control over his perceived physical, emotional or intellectual pain using addictive substances. The key word here is perceived for they believe that there are no options to fix their issues, however there could be many solutions lay unexplored. They could be experiencing sadness, depression, lack of confidence, lack of support, lack of love, lack of self-esteem or could be suffering from guilt, fear or insecurity. Unfortunately, by bonding with the chemical substance, they exclude other possibilities and limit themselves to only one option-the chemical. Feeling desperately stuck in their own situation, they turn to alcohol or drugs for help. Often, they refuse to utilize any other form of help.
This chemical substance usually helps replacing feelings which the addict’s lack. For example, strengthening one’s self-confidence. Chemically speaking alcohol and many drugs are depressants but as they suppress many inhibitory processes in one’s body they are often perceived as stimulants.
The use of alcohol or drugs to build confidence has several drawbacks:
- wearing of the effect of the substance without possibly arriving to the solution to the original problem to start with.
- Inability to limit oneself to maintain the desired feeling after the use of chemical substance, if one doesn’t, it could lead to feeling depressed and morose or manic and flighty.
- the person may start believing that they unable to function in social situation without the use of chemical substances. From here the way to addiction is very easy.
Addiction could also lead to many situations one of many could be, the fear of the wearing off the chemical, at this point, they could suffer a full-blown panic anxiety which could be worse than lack of self-confidence.
It is very clear to us that the laws of Association, Repetition and Reverse Reaction could easily be applied here. The addict has associated alcohol or drugs to relieve himself from certain stressful situations in their life. If working becomes stressful a quick jolt at morning and noon might make it easier. Their lack of confidence and inhibitions can easily be relieved at social events with use of alcohol or drugs. When these actions are repeated, it forms a habit, and if this includes chemical substance it could cause addiction. At this point, the Law of Reverse Reaction starts to play, the harder they try to quit, the worse their original feelings become, so they return to addiction.
Treating addictions could involve a multi-disciplinary approach. There could be many challenges which includes their sense of false security, confidence and social acceptance, which leaves them to face their self-discontentment. When the person admits their addiction, and asks for help, it is easy to help them by motivating them and making them feel better about themselves.
Here’s how Hypnotherapy could help you get over addiction:
- Even before you adopt Hypnotherapy as an approach, I would recommend you to undergo a complete physical examination by a registered Physician, as you could be suffering from multiple vitamin deficiencies or hypoglycaemia. There also could be the possibility of liver damage as a result of alcohol addiction.
- I would encourage having a session, which includes your spouse and children or your parents; this is for their own benefit and helps to enlist their understanding and aid them in this battle with you.
- I would also strongly recommend making friends with new peers, this could help you find a new way to live your life, as continuing to associate with your previous friends, who are habituated to taking alcohol or drugs could lead you back into addiction again.”
In Hypnotherapy, a series of positive suggestions could be used to break the pattern of addiction; some of them are as follows:
- “Your inner strength is becoming stronger and stronger, it motivates you to overcome every hurdle which stands in between your physical, mental and social well-being”.
- “From this moment on, you are developing more self-control. Every situation you face shall be dealt in a calm and peaceful state of mind”.
- “Your habit of drinking alcohol/ drug use is in the distant past. You choose to replace it with confidence, strength and self-control. This brings into your life, much deserved self-respect and confidence each day in every possible way. You are a confident and positive person now, who is capable of succeeding in all aspects of life”.
I have always believed in the phrase “Cessant Effectus; Cessant Causa” which means “to stop the effect, one must stop the cause”. Similarly, to break the addiction, we need to find the feelings that caused the use of drugs or alcohol in first place. Upon discovering those causative factors, they can be easily dealt with be means of conscious therapy or through regression where we could erase the hypersensitivity through direct suggestion and replace them with positive feelings and motivation.
My friend seemed happy and motivated with the above information, I asked him to see a colleague, who I couldn’t recommend more highly. And yes, I did give him the number of my Dermatologist colleague. “Find your glow,” I said. We both laughed again. This time, with me knowing that maybe (superficially), he is looking after himself.
According to Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) report, 1 in 5 people, aged 14 or older consumed more than 2 standard drinks per day on average, exceeding the lifetime risk guidelines.
In 2013, 15% of Australians used an illicit drug in the previous 12 months and 42% had used an illicit drug in their life time.
Cannabis, ecstasy, methamphetamine and cocaine were the most commonly used illicit drugs.
What is true for Australia, is sadly also true for Sydney.
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