Hypnosis was once a viable treatment approach for addictions. Then, due to hypnosis being used for entertainment purposes many professionals lost confidence in it. However, it has now started to make a comeback in the treatment of substance abuse. The approach described here, using hypnosis for treatment, is borrowed from studies effectively treating alcoholism by using intensive daily sessions. Combining the more intense treatment of 20 daily sessions with hypnosis is a successful method to treat addictions. The 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.

Recently, the use of hypnosis in the treatment of addictions has been primarily limited to cigarette smoking (Ahijevych & Yerardi, 2000; Apostolides & Yunker, 1996; Barber, 2001 ; Capafons & Amiga 1995; Green & Lynn, 2000; Spiegel, Frischholz, Fleiss, & Spiegel, 1993).

According to Martensen (1997), in the nineteenth century hypnosis and alcoholism medically converged and the results were very good. There were as high as 80% success rates with samples of up to 700 patients reported. By 1910, because of its growing prevalence as entertainment, ethical professionals were using hypnosis less for treatment of any medical or psychological disorder. By 1920, hypnosis was rarely used in the treatment of alcoholism.

However, hypnosis has begun making a comeback as a viable treatment for alcoholism and other addictions. Wolberg (1948) treated alcoholism by using hypnosis to enhance dream imagery. Lemere (1959), using a conditioned reflex treatment, reported a 57% success rate on a one-year follow up. Success was based on abstinence from alcohol. Feamster and Brown (1963) successfully used an aversive treatment through hypnosis to control excessive drinking.

Orman ( 1991 ) reported a single case study of the treatment of alcoholism using 17 sessions. Orman combined hypnosis with psychotherapy, and the patient increased Alcoholics Anonymous meetings from three times per week to six or seven times per week. The patient reported continued abstinence at six-month and one-year followups. Allan (1995) found hypnosis helpful because of its efficacy in reducing tension. Avantis and Margolin (1995) used hypnosis to enhance imagery techniques in the treatment of addictions.

Tiffany and Conklin (2000) discussed the possibility of a reward center deep within the brain. They reported emotion-laden memories of past positive drinking experiences become associated with cues. Exposure to these cues can activate the reward center, potentially leading to craving during abstinence. They can change these experiences to experiences that promote abstinence and reduce craving by using suggestion, reframes, metaphors, and positive imaging in hypnosis.

Walsh (2003) presented three case studies using a brief one-session approach called "The Utilization Sobriety Model." This model uses an ideomotor finger signal to identify the absolute best high from using the drug of choice. After the client identified the high, the therapist suggested that the patient touch two fingers together and anchored a posthypnotic suggestion to the best high. The patient was then instructed to use the two fingers together to recall the high when urges for the drug came up. Walsh reported successful abstinence in client number one and two in one year followups. Client number three had a cocaine addiction and struggled with relapses, but stayed clean for the year and a half prior to the writing of the manuscript. Page and Handley (1993) also wrote about the use of hypnosis to treat a cocaine addiction.

Addiction contains spiritual, mental, social, and biological components. Hypnosis is a treatment modality that can address all of these issues.

Gorski and Miller (1986) name six symptoms of Post Acute Withdrawal (PAW) that can occur following acute withdrawal from an addictive drug. These symptoms can recur for years after a person has successfully withdrawn from a chemical dependency. The six symptoms are: (1) inability to think clearly; (2) memory problems; (3) emotional overreactions or numbness; (4) sleep disturbances; (5) physical coordination problems; and (6) stress sensitivity. There have been numerous reports of using hypnosis to treat each of these PAW symptoms including Whitehouse et al. (1996), a 19-week study that showed hypnosis produced lower stress levels. Yet the use of hypnosis with chemical dependency continues to be thought of as an alternative therapy when it is, possibly, one of the better choices available.

Hypnosis has traditionally been looked at as a quick fix and if it does not work quickly, confidence in it is lost. Hypnosis sometimes produces very rapid changes. However, when used over a longer period of time in a systematic process the results are much longer lasting.

Traditionally, treatment methods for addictions include intense daily sessions. Combining the intensive treatment of daily sessions with hypnosis appears to strengthen treatment for many people who are suffering from addictions. Among the advantages of using hypnosis is that it allows the client to better imprint, modulate, and integrate new patterns of behavior. Also, the deep relaxation naturally addresses the recovering person's need to manage stress and handle cravings.

The following describes a 20-session intensive treatment program. Over the last seven years 18 clients have started treatment using the full 20-session approach outlined below.

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