What is an addiction?
An addiction is when you are unable to control your need or urge to do something.
Addictions are often associated with nicotine, gambling, drugs and alcohol. Yet, they also extend to excessive food consumption, compulsive shopping, risky sex and dependencies on pornography, the internet and mobile devices.
People of all ages and backgrounds can develop an addiction for various reasons, but some people are more likely to than others. Genetics, as well as environmental, social and personal factors, can all influence the likelihood of becoming addicted to something.
Stress, negative emotions, poor mental health and isolation significantly contribute towards someone becoming vulnerable to addiction. Struggling to deal with negative emotions, like sadness or guilt, may lead to substance abuse. Work stress and strained relationships or breakups can heighten the risk.
Underlying mental health issues such as depression and anxiety amplify triggers for addiction, while physical illnesses and chronic pain further increase the risk of relapses. Isolation and growing loneliness can make it easier to rationalise drug or alcohol use. Boredom poses a subtle threat as idle moments can lead to harmful scenarios for gamblers and if you have an eating disorder, you may turn to food.
Treatment offers a chance to lead a more fulfilling life. Getting help from professionals and hypnotherapy for addictions is often a crucial step for successful recovery.
What causes addictions?
There is no single cause for an addiction, and they can develop for a combination of reasons.
Root causes for addictions can include trauma, mental health struggles and genetics. Debates suggest that 40% to 60% of a predisposition towards addiction is genetic. Children of those with addictions have a 25% higher risk, and men generally have higher addiction rates than women.
What does an addiction look like?
Understanding addiction is a bit like figuring out a challenging puzzle that affects both your mind and body.
People who struggle with addiction often try to hide their habits. They may lie to others or isolate themselves to keep their habits going. Addiction changes how the brain works, making it tough to stop even if you really want to. Seeing addiction as a challenge for the brain helps us understand it better.
You may experience mood swings and a shorter temper. If you have other mental health issues, these could become worse as you experience a drop in self-esteem. You could find it difficult to concentrate as you spend a lot of time thinking about maintaining your habits.
There is often a social stigma attached to addictions, so it might feel difficult to talk about your addiction, even with the people you are closest to. This can make it harder to get the support you need, even when you have decided that you truly want to quit.
Dealing with both the substance use and the habits is necessary to understand and address the problem fully.
How can it be overcome?
Overcoming addiction and securing a successful recovery is a distinctive journey with no one-size-fits-all approach. Attempting to face addiction alone often leads to limited success. Getting help for addiction can include talking to a doctor or therapist, detoxing and finding new coping strategies.
Friends and family support
The support of your loved ones can play a huge part in your recovery journey. You need to be open with them about your challenges and allow them to share their own concerns about your addictions. Whether over a regular family meal or coffee meet-up with friends, the support of those closest to you can help spur you on. Make sure they know how much you appreciate their encouragement.
Peer support
You might find it easier to speak to people who truly understand your experience.
Connecting with people who have been through the same challenges as you can be hugely supportive. Sharing your thoughts and fears with peers can help you overcome the shame and isolation that addictions sometimes brings. It also offers you the opportunity to see life beyond addiction and understand what life on the other side looks like. You could choose to quit smoking or vaping with a group of friends, or seek more organised groups like Gamble Aware and Alcoholics Anonymous.
Rehab programmes
Formal rehab programmes offer structured, comprehensive and personalised care. They provide both medical treatment and therapy. They enable you to detox in a safe, controlled environment, with your withdrawal symptoms properly managed. Rehab programmes will equip you with strategies to avoid relapse, helping you to achieve lasting recovery.
There are both inpatient and outpatient programmes available. You should research different facilities to find one that best meets your needs. You can also consult with healthcare professionals, like your GP, for recommendations.
Professional support
Seeking help from medical professionals can give you crucial access to expertise, medical support, therapy and other essential elements for successfully overcoming an addiction.
Getting advice from an addiction specialist is highly recommended. Professionals can help you understand your condition, guide you through various treatments and direct you to suitable options and facilities. They can also assist you in preparation for treatment and help to manage your expectations during the recovery process.
How can hypnotherapy for addictions help?
Hypnotherapy is a crucial tool in addressing addiction. It helps to target unhealthy habits and uses suggestion techniques to eliminate cravings. This approach is especially effective alongside other treatments, significantly contributing to the recovery process.
Hypnotherapy for addictions targets the subconscious to address the emotions and thought patterns linked to your addiction. It involves a hypnotherapist inducing deep relaxation to access the open subconscious mind. This area is responsible for a substantial portion of behaviours – approximately 90% of our functioning.
While consulting a doctor is often the initial step for overcoming addictions, hypnotherapy is a complementary method and is key for promoting positive changes throughout your recovery journey.
Hypnotherapy for addictions equips you with a holistic strategy for conquering your addictions. Your hypnotherapist will give you the tools and mental techniques to help you manage your recovery effectively. This will enable you to lead a healthier and happier life. free from addiction.
Our Addictions Specialists
Benn Baker-Pollard
Sittingbourne
Carmen Harrington
Market Harborough
Caroline Prout
Thrapston
Chris Johannes
Spalding
Claire Noyelle
Maidstone East
Dawn Ibbetson
Chelmsford
Gary Johannes
Peterborough
Jill Whitehouse
Newcastle upon Tyne
Keeley Smith
Southend-on-Sea
Kerry Seymour
Weston-super-Mare
Peter Ely
Islington
Victoria Anderson
Sunderland
Why Choose Inspired To Change
Our solution focused hypnotherapists empower you to better understand your brain, helping to guide you towards solutions and achieve the outcomes you want. We have a team of fully trained hypnotherapists, giving you the choice of who to work with and how you want to work with them. Solution focused hypnotherapy is just as effective in-person or online in the comfort of your own home, so you can find the ideal therapist to help you reach your goals.
Every one of our hypnotherapists is recognised by governing bodies like the National Council for Hypnotherapy, the UK’s leading not-for-profit hypnotherapy professional association. They have all trained with Clifton Practice Hypnotherapy Training, one of the leading hypnotherapy schools in the UK.
