Hypnotherapy (also referred to as Guided Imagery or Creative Visualization) provides the patient with tools for reducing stress, developing and practicing problem-solving skills, and altering negative and destructive beliefs. The difficulty of treating addictions and the frustratingly high relapse rates are well-known and well-documented. Many practitioners are incorporating a variety of interventions into their treatment programs. Over the past few years, the use of hypnotherapy has become increasingly popular with substance abuse and addiction programs, as an adjunct to chemical and behavioral therapy. Hypnotherapy can be used successfully with a wide range of patients, as it is non-invasive, requires no equipment, and basic skills can be easily taught to practitioners and patients. This paper presents a review from medical literature of hypnotherapy in substance abuse and smoking cessation programs, basic definitions (what hypnotherapy is and is not, i.e. the difference between hypnotherapy and stage hypnosis), uses of hypnotherapy, and offers a model protocol for using hypnotherapy in conjunction with behavior modification for smoking cessation.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to: 1. Define hypnotherapy and its primary uses in health care. 2. Discuss integration of hypnotherapy techniques into a substance abuse treatment plan. 3. Cite 3 studies describing use of hypnotherapy in substance abuse treatment
Keywords: Substance Abuse Treatment, Alternative Medicine/Therapies
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.