How Group Hypnosis Can Help Drug Addicts

Published May 25, 2010

Drug addiction is one of the most troubling social problems of our times. It is a habit that is really difficult to break from. Even though we have rehabilitation and detox centers that can help treat addicts, another strategy being used to help those with this problem is group hypnosis.

Group hypnosis is not too different from individual hypnosis because the therapist will assist and guide the addicts to the same stages of hypnosis. There is a preparation stage get the addicts ready, induction and deepening to put them in a trance, circulation to impart in their subconscious to stop using illegal drugs and termination so they will be able to wake up from the session with a different state of mind.

Those who undergo group hypnosis may not feel the same intense cravings that they would normally do. The suggestions that the hypno-therapist plants in the subject’s mind makes him/her respond in a different and a positive manner when the situation presents itself.

The only challenge is that this since the hypnosis session is done with a group of individuals; the therapist must use general hypnotic suggestions to ensure that everyone understands the instructions and benefits from the session.

Another term for this kind of treatment is medical hypnosis. Studies have shown that it is just as effective in treating those with hard-drug addictions as it is for nicotine addiction. The process circumnavigates the critical, conscious mind of the person with addiction and ensures that the treatment is a success.

In one clinical trial where 10 addicts took part, all of them stopped taking any sort of street drugs for 6 months after the treatment ended. Two years later, only 7 of the 10 subjects continued to remain clean while the remainder returned to partial use of these illegal substances. A 70% success rate is not too bad eh.

Research studies like this show that group hypnosis can be extremely helpful in treating drug dependents. It will not happen overnight but with continuous sessions, it is possible for people to remain drug free indefinitely.

But folks have to understand that not all drug addicts may benefit the same from group hypnosis as it is not a substitute for detoxification programs in severe cases. What makes hypnotherapy work is the willingness of the participants to try hypnosis with an open mind and a strong determination to stop their addiction.

One has to summon up the courage and admit that they have a problem. After that, it’s up to them whether they want to go into a rehabilitation center or use alternative treatments.
A lot of drug treatment centers these days have hypnotherapy specialists on staff that can perform group hypnosis, so it’s best to cooperate with them in order for them to be helpful and effective.

Group hypnosis is efficacious and it can help not only drug addicts but also smokers, people who are stressed, as well as people who suffer from anxiety disorders. You just have to be open to the idea that it can work.

Jawed Iqbal has been a student of hypnosis and hypnotherapy and enjoys writing about the topic to inform and educate.
http://www.infobulb.com/hypnosis

How Group Hypnosis Can Help Drug Addicts

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