Hypnosis as a legitimate treatment can help with alcohol use disorders, experts say

While some people may be skeptical of hypnosis, experts say it is a legitimate therapy that will probably help with a variety of physical and mental challenges. Alcohol use disorder.

Clinical hypnosis has been shown to be effective in treating pain, anxiety and stress. Cancer treatment Past randomized controlled trials found that side effects, phobia, and habit control issues such as smoking and weight management.

“Hypnosis is the oldest Western psychotherapy, but underutilized,” Dr. David Spiegel, vice-chairman of psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine in California and a leading authority on the field of hypnosis, told Fox News Digital.

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What is hypnosis?

Hypnosis is not considered a cure in itself. Rather, it enhances other treatments by reducing peripheral recognition while inducing increased levels, experts say.

This practice aims to put people in a Deep state of relaxation So they can learn more easily.

Dr. Sean Criswell, a mental counselor who practices in Oregon, defines it as a gentle way to turn people’s focus into new ideas and perspectives. Improving their lives. ”

Criswell “does this by combining it in part with strengths and resources, empowering it in the process, and directly contradicting the old tired myth of hypnosis giving up on one’s control,” he co-authored with Dr. Michael Japko, the latest edition of “Transwork: An Introduction to Clinical Hypnosis Practice.”

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Previous research suggests that hypnosis can alter brain activity related to attention and consciousness.

” Brain activation Dr. Ryan Sultan, a doctor at New York Presbyterian Hospital and director of the Institute for Mental Health and Informatics at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, says that patterns during hypnosis (color, pain, sounds, etc.) resemble those observed in real-life experience.

Some people may choose to practice self-hypnosis, which they described as a process of entering a trance-like state without the guidance of a hypnotist.

The Sultan compared it and entered “controlled, simplified states” that could make people more open to specific ideas and therapeutic suggestions.

“I have forced my patients to stop drinking by focusing on respecting and protecting their bodies.”

However, he notes that the effects may be short-lived, and some individuals may find it difficult to maintain a hypnosis without external cues.

The treatment technique is approved by the American Psychiatric Association and the American Psychological Association. To maximize its safety and efficacy, Sultan is Qualified Professionals.

Can hypnosis cure alcohol addiction?

According to Dr. Rama Bazzi, a psychiatrist in private practice in New York City, hypnosis may help support people with drinking problems by helping to motivate, reduce cravings and manage stress.

However, experts emphasized that hypnosis is not an independent treatment for problematic drinking. Instead, it involves intensive cognitive behavioral therapy, psychiatric support, and Targeted drugs as needed.

“There’s little evidence on the alcohol issue, but I’ve made patients stop drinking by focusing on respecting and protecting their bodies,” Spiegel said.

“One of my patients hypnotized the concept and said, ‘In other words, the body is the temple of the soul,'” he added.

Risks and regulations

According to Spiegel, hypnotherapy poses little risk.

“The worst thing that can happen is that it doesn’t always work,” he told Fox News Digital.

“It’s best to receive specialized training in clinical hypnosis and seek care from a psychiatrist or psychologist.”

Possible mild side effects include dizziness and emotional release. There is also the risk of false memory when used for memory recalls, Sultan warned.

Additionally, treatment is not recommended for people with severe mental illnesses such as psychosis, experts say.

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Mayo Clinic also has rare side effects, but some people have I experience anxietydrowsiness, headaches, nausea.

“It’s best to ask for care from a Psychiatrist or psychologist With specialized training in clinical hypnosis,” Bazzi told Fox News Digital.

“These experts can objectively assess your sensitivity to hypnosis, determine whether it is an appropriate and potentially effective intervention for your particular concern, and develop a comprehensive multimodal treatment plan tailored to your needs,” she added.

For those looking for a hypnotist, experts recommend visiting the American Clinical Hypnosis Association or the International Hypnosis Association website.

Warning signs of alcohol use disorders

According to a 2023 estimate by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 28 million Americans over the age of 18 suffer from alcohol use disorders.

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If you drink blood alcohol levels above 0.08 or above a certain thing, people may be drinking excessively if they consume enough alcohol at once Number of drinks In a week, experts say.

This generally corresponds to women who consume more than four or five drinks at once, or women who eat more than eight drinks for women or 15 drinks for men, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Signs of Alcohol problem This includes experiencing loss of control when drinking, continuing to drink despite adverse consequences, and experiencing obsessive cravings when not drinking.

Anyone with alcohol dependence issues and thinks they are interested in seeking alternative therapies should contact their doctor for recommendations.