Research

Research on hypnosis for alcohol and substance use.

DISCLAIMER: These are clinical studies from various institutions to demonstrate how hypnosis can be applied to help people that are addicted, this is only a study and may not be the results you would experience.

The Irrationality of Alcoholics Anonymous By Gabrielle Glaser

Article from The Atlantic.  Its (AAs) faith-based 12-step program dominates treatment in the United States. But researchers have debunked central tenets of AA doctrine and found dozens of other treatments more effective.

Mindfulness decreases alcohol-related problems
Results indicate that after release from jail, participants in the mindfulness course, as compared with those in a treatment-as-usual control condition, showed significant reductions in alcohol, marijuana, and crack cocaine use. Mindfulness participants showed decreases in alcohol-related problems and psychiatric symptoms as well as increases in positive psychosocial outcomes.

Bowen, Sarah, et al. “Mindfulness meditation and substance use in an incarcerated population.” Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, Vol 20(3), Sep 2006, 343-347.

Self-Hypnosis Shows 77 Percent Success Rate for Drug Addiction
Treatment has been used with 18 clients over the last 7 years and has shown a 77 percent success rate for at least a 1-year follow-up. Fifteen were being seen for alcoholism or alcohol abuse, 2 clients were being seen for cocaine addiction, and 1 client had a marijuana addiction.

Potter, Greg. “Intensive Therapy: Utilizing Hypnosis in the Treatment of Substance Abuse Disorders.” American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, Jul 2004.

Hypnosis For Cocaine Addiction Documented Case Study
Hypnosis was successfully used to overcome a $500 (five grams) per day cocaine addiction. The subject was a female in her twenties. After approximately 8 months of addiction, she decided to use hypnosis in an attempt to overcome the addiction itself. Over the next 4 months, she used hypnosis three times a day and at the end of this period, her addiction was broken, and she has been drug free for the past 9 years. Hypnosis was the only intervention, and no support network of any kind was available.
“The use of hypnosis in cocaine addiction.” Page RA, Handley GW, Ohio State University, Lima, OH USA 45804. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 1993 Oct;36(2):120-3.

Raised Self-esteem & Serenity. Lowered Impulsivity and Anger
In a research study on self-hypnosis for relapse prevention training with chronic drug/alcohol users. Participants were 261 veterans admitted to Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs (SARRTPs). Individuals who used repeated self-hypnosis “at least 3 to 5 times a week,” at 7-week follow-up, reported the highest levels of self-esteem and serenity, and the least anger/impulsivity, in comparison to the minimal-practice and control groups.
American Journal of Clinical Hypnotherapy (a publication of the American Psychological Association)
2004 Apr;46(4):281-97)

Significantly More Methadone Addicts Quit with Hypnosis. 94% Remained Narcotic Free
Significant differences were found on all measures. The experimental group had significantly less discomfort and illicit drug use, and a significantly greater amount of cessation. At six month follow up, 94% of the subjects in the experimental group who had achieved cessation remained narcotic free.
“A comparative study of hypnotherapy and psychotherapy in the treatment of methadone addicts.” Manganiello AJ, American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 1984; 26(4): 273-9.