Has alcohol become a negative? How hypnotherapy can help

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) Health at a Glance 2023 report found that 26% of British women reported heavy episodic drinking at least once a month – the highest rate among women in the countries compared. Among British men, the figure was considerably higher at 45%, although this ranked fourth when compared with men in other countries.

Although the NHS (2026) reported that 24% of adults in England had abstained from alcohol in the previous year, with drinking declining particularly among the younger population, excessive drinking remains a normalised behaviour across our culture.

As a hypnotherapist, I regularly see clients who want to stop drinking because they have had enough of the lows that can accompany their social life. It could be prompted by a life event, or simply the realisation that alcohol is having a negative impact on their life.

If you are considering stopping drinking or cutting down, it could be because you are feeling overwhelmed with work, you are stressed when you are trying to look after your children, you feel low, and you crave the next night out, or maybe you realise that your friendships and relationships are based around drinking. You may also be concerned that your drinking is becoming harder to control or that you’re becoming dependent on alcohol.

Can you think of any more influences that alcohol could be having on your life? Feeling sluggish or dehydrated, or craving salty foods, are some of the ways alcohol can impact your health and wellbeing.

What is your relationship with alcohol?

You may not realise it, but drinking alcohol isn't just about drinking alcohol. It comes with a relationship. Ask yourself: Is it a healthy relationship where you feel in control of your behaviour, or does it feel like alcohol is starting to take control?

The World Health Organization (2023) states that no amount of alcohol consumption is risk-free, and alcoholic beverages are categorised as a Group 1 carcinogen, the same category as tobacco and asbestos. If you are drinking regularly or finding that you're drinking more than you would like, it could be a good time to reassess your relationship with alcohol.

Have you ever asked yourself why you feel you need to drink? Do you feel pressured to drink because otherwise you feel like you aren't part of the social scene? If you took the alcohol away, would you actually enjoy being in the same room, surrounded by people drinking and laughing, if you weren't drinking too?

This is totally understandable, but it can be one of the hardest parts of giving up drinking: the belief that this is the only social life that exists. It is so easy for it to become a bubble, where breaking free can feel like giving up so much. However, there is an alternative. What if you were to stop drinking and meet friends where drinking is not the central theme?

When you stop drinking, yes, a space can be created, but for what? You may have more time to explore what genuinely interests you and meet people who are naturally on the same wavelength. New connections with people who don't drink, or drink a lot less, could add value to your life as your nights out start to look different and you explore new ways to enjoy yourself.

How can hypnotherapy help?

If you have reached a point where you feel you need support to cut down on your alcohol or quit altogether, hypnotherapy can help.

One approach that may be used in hypnotherapy is regression therapy, which can explore some of the underlying experiences, emotions and associations connected to the behaviour.

Hypnotherapy, a deep state of relaxation or trance, allows you to access your subconscious mind, which includes your belief system and past memories. You may have a particular trigger for drinking. It could be fear of missing out, an outlet for stress, or a lack of confidence. You may have all sorts of reasons for these feelings.

From my clinical experience, I have found that regression therapy can effectively help explore experiences that may be connected to how you feel or behave today. The experience can be very insightful and bring about deep healing.

It is important to choose a suitably qualified practitioner who has the training and experience to provide support in a safe and appropriate way. If you are ready to change your relationship with alcohol, hypnotherapy may offer support, either face-to-face or online, depending on your needs and preferences.