Addiction treatment and addiction counselling with hypnotherapy

Published May 16, 2010

Let’s face it. People seeking addiction counseling and addiction treatment, whether for compulsive shopping, cocaine, alcohol abuse, marijuana, smoking or gambling, are too often judged by society. But like other ineffective coping attempts, addictions do not come out of thin air. In fact, addictions are attempts at emotional regulation or, more specifically, avoidance of feeling. This is the sad truth. Addicted individuals don’t need criticism, they need support.

Dependency is also viewed negatively in society often seen as neediness. But dependency is only part of addiction; it’s possible to depend on a drug but not be addicted to it. In fact, dependency on other human beings to regulate our emotions is not only normal, it is vital to survival as children. When people are abused, neglected or deprived due to failed parental care or lack of empathic attunement, the unconscious mind seeks alternative strategies to cope with feelings.
Quick fixes. Compulsions. Bright lights. Fast cars. Buy now. I want it now.

All the rage, and all part of our narcissistic culture. But those with histories of failed parental attachment bonds are prone to addictive behavior. And failings of caregivers can be far reaching and more subtle that we care to imagine.

Another conception of addiction is that it is like a hypnotic trance, but a trance without a secure connection to our true self. Thus addictive behavior acts as a bottomless hole which cant possibly be filled. Depression, anxiety, shame, emptiness, are but a few common feelings behind addictive behavior. Hypnotherapy may offer possibilities for establishing a felt connection to ourselves. Thus sealing the need for addiction to a substance.

Healthy dependency can be established with an addiction counsellor and hypnotherapist in place of destructive addictive behaviours. Once the dependency need is filled adequately the therapy can successfully end.
Twelve step processes such as alcoholics anonymous are helpful holding environments to help diminish shame and build inner strength. But it is usually necessary to combine this with hypnotherapy and addiction counseling in a comprehensive addiction treatment plan.

Self-hypnosis recordings for people wishing to fasttrack addiction treatment, or who cant afford addiction counselling and hypnotherapy can help a lot. Addiction counselling can produce lasting changes in people seeking addiction treatment with a qualified professional.

Melbourne hypnotherapy and addiction counselling provided by Adam Szmerling, a mindfulness based psychotherapist and hypnotherapist. He has university undergraduate qualifications in counselling, and postgraduate qualifications in psychotherapy. He is a qualified hypnotherapist and NLP master practitioner.

Addiction treatment and addiction counselling with hypnotherapy

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