Overcoming alcohol dependency: How hypnotherapy and CBT can help

Alcohol dependency, or alcoholism, can be a problem that's not always easy to spot. If someone drinks regularly and cannot get out of bed without having a drink, or drinks throughout the day to function, then the signs are obvious. However, if someone drinks on occasion, but regularly consumes excessive amounts until they are comatose, that can also be a sign they are struggling with alcoholism.

As therapists, understanding the presence of alcohol dependency, and how it might be triggered is essential. Are there any obvious signs or subconscious triggers that lead to alcohol cravings? In the UK, where we have a strong drinking culture, the signs of craving alcohol can go unnoticed. A few drinks on a Sunday afternoon whilst watching the football may seem harmless, but for some, it may signal a deeper issue.

How hypnotherapy can help with alcohol dependency

With hypnosis, we can do a lot to help our clients. Starting from reprogramming the associations with alcohol through healthier alternatives. We can start by relaxation and confidence building, ego strengthening to also strengthen willpower. We can, similar to smoking cessation, reduce cravings to suggest to the subconscious mind that alcohol is unappealing, reducing the desire to drink.

However, it is important to understand the underlying triggers and understand where they are coming from. Is it a lack of self-worth or self-esteem? Is alcohol the emotional crutch or is it due to underlying trauma? To do this, hypnosis really comes to its own by utilising other psycho-therapeutic modalities.

Integrating hypnotherapy with CBT

As a therapist trained in hypnotherapy and psychotherapy, I integrate cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) into treatment. CBT helps to identify and change negative thought patterns that fuel drinking behaviours. The process involves:

• Identifying underlying triggers - This could be trauma going all the way back to childhood.
• Psychoeducation - To teach clients about how alcohol affects the brain, behaviour and emotions.
• Tracking drinking patterns - Keeping a diary to identify when, where and why drinking occurs and to identify the emotional, social, and environmental triggers for alcohol use.
• Reshaping thought processes - Asking the right questions to reframe thoughts and responses related to drinking.

Once these patterns are identified, hypnosis becomes even more effective, as we are more certain of what we are dealing with. We can use hypnosis alongside CBT in order to challenge and reframe negative thoughts and change the client's belief system, replacing unhelpful thoughts with evidence-based thinking. 

Craving management and relapse prevention

Alongside these two methodologies, mindfulness can be incorporated to provide stress management techniques, and help the client to cope with situations where they are exposed to alcohol but might normally struggle to say 'no'.

To conclude any treatment, which could take quite some time (we are talking months and months), we would start looking at craving management and relapse prevention planning. We would start by using distraction techniques to carry out alternative activities in order to not drink at an event for instance.

Luckily, and whilst not suitable for everyone, there is a wide range of alcohol-free drinks now available that make it socially more acceptable to 'drink' without actually consuming alcohol, whether that's alcohol-free beer or other alcohol-free drinks that can be substituted for common alcoholic drinks. In line with the above, we look at early warning signs of relapse and plan for how to handle situations that might occur, preparing the client for the eventuality.

The focus must be on a long-term lifestyle change, creating new habits and reinforcing self-efficacy.

In summary, if you are alcohol dependent or have problems with alcohol, do not despair. Utilising hypnotherapy with other modalities, in particular CBT, will help you to reprogram your behaviour. Over time, you can regain control and create the life you truly want to live.