Rehab Centers That Offer Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy is an alternative therapy option that uses hypnosis to treat mental health conditions, including substance use disorders (SUDs).

In recent decades, there has been a rise in the popularity of alternative therapies like hypnosis due to emerging research and new techniques. Hypnotherapy offers unique benefits in comparison to traditional addiction treatment methods and can incorporate a holistic healing aspect into rehab.

Read on to learn more about hypnotherapy including its role in addiction recovery, how it can complement other treatment methods, cost and insurance considerations, and more.

Hypnosis as a practice dates back to about the 18th century and became more widespread by the 1880s. At this point, Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, became interested in the use of hypnosis as a therapeutic practice. By the late 20th century, the American Psychological Association (APA) established the Society of Psychological Hypnosis. With increasing research and case studies, the therapy has been increasing in popularity ever since.

Hypnotherapy is an evidence-based form of therapy that relies on guided hypnosis to create a state of relaxation and concentration. It is not psychotherapy but can be supplemented with psychotherapy. It can be used to treat a wide variety of mental health disorders including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder, SUDs, behavioral addictions, and even phobias.

Essentially, hypnotherapy is a psychological tool for deep relaxation and subconscious programming. It allows individuals to be more receptive to behavioral changes and reframe their thoughts in ways that will help them achieve their goals.

Hypnotherapy works by putting the individual in a trance-like state. In this relaxed state and heightened focus, people can discuss their challenges and potential solutions in a different manner. This is because hypnosis allows us to tap into our subconscious mind, which can make behavior patterns easier to change.

Hypnotherapy can play an immense role in addiction recovery, especially when implemented as part of a comprehensive treatment program.

By targeting the root causes of addictive behavior patterns, hypnotherapy can help break negative patterns and habits. Many people with SUDs reach for addictive substances to deal with certain thoughts, emotions, and events. Over time, they form behavioral patterns that can be hard to break.

Hypnotherapy can help address this by accessing the subconscious mind and suggesting healthier coping mechanisms. This also can help address cravings, compulsions, and triggers in addiction. By forming new behavioral patterns, people are less likely to give in to these obstacles via substance abuse.

Hypnotherapy can also enhance motivation and self-control when it comes to addiction. During hypnosis, your therapist can help increase your motivation to recover and build better self-control over destructive behaviors. This can be done by reframing negative thoughts and learning coping skills.

The benefits of hypnotherapy can be pivotal in the treatment of alcohol and drug addictions. Some benefits include reduced mental health disturbances and improved cognitive state.

In addition to treating addiction, hypnotherapy can also help address issues like anxiety, stress, and emotional trauma that often come along with SUDs. This is because hypnosis allows for deep relaxation, emotional release, and increased focus which can make it easier to work through these issues. In the trance-like state hypnotherapy fosters, some people find they can address trauma and difficult emotions without feeling as triggered.

On top of this, many people who receive hypnotherapy for addiction also see improvements in sleep quality and mental clarity. Because hypnotherapy can reduce overthinking and anxiety, it can also make it easier for people to sleep. Sleep in recovery is very important as it allows both the body and mind to heal.

Similarly, because these disturbances are reduced, many people are able to think more clearly, make better decisions, and experience improved overall emotional well-being. Without the distractions of anxiety, stress, and negative thought patterns, it can be easier to focus on recovery, making long-lasting sobriety a much more achievable goal.

There are several techniques commonly used in hypnotherapy to help treat substance abuse issues. These include guided relaxation and visualization, regression therapy, and suggestion therapy.

Guided relaxation and visualization focus on the individual imagining themselves in a relaxed and peaceful state. This is guided by the hypnotherapist and is encouraged even when addressing fears, trauma, or problematic behaviors.

Regression therapy is a technique that involves focusing on past events. The idea is to resolve past events or revisit past experiences to address how they affect you today. This can be particularly helpful for victims of trauma.

Suggestion therapy involves the use of individualized, carefully worded suggestions to promote behavioral change. During hypnosis, the hypnotherapist will offer these suggestions to the patient to encourage reframing their thoughts and changing negative patterns.

Hypnotherapy, while advantageous on its own, is most beneficial when used simultaneously with other treatment methods like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and holistic treatment services.

CBT, a type of behavioral therapy, is a treatment service that focuses on reframing negative thought patterns and teaching healthy coping skills to treat addiction. Hypnotherapy can be incredibly complementary to CBT as they can work together to help patients understand the impact of their thoughts and behaviors. Subconscious reprogramming from hypnotherapy in combination with conscious behavior modification from CBT is the perfect two-pronged approach to make significant changes in recovery.

MAT, on the other hand, is a treatment method that uses specific medications to treat addiction by reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings or reducing the effects of addictive substances. When used in combination with hypnotherapy, MAT can be even more effective. This is because hypnotherapy can support individuals through MAT by managing side effects, cravings, and emotional distress that occur throughout.

Lastly, as part of a holistic treatment program, hypnotherapy can play a supportive role in addressing addiction from all sides. Other treatment methods that may be advantageous in combination with hypnotherapy include yoga, group counseling, mindfulness, acupuncture, breathwork, and alternative therapies.

There are endless options when it comes to treatment facilities for substance abuse treatment. While choosing one that offers hypnotherapy narrows down your options, you may still be wondering how to choose the right recovery center for your needs.

Once you’ve ensured that a treatment center offers hypnotherapy, you’ll want to make sure that it is accredited and qualified to do so. Alcohol and drug rehab facilities offering hypnotherapy must have licensed hypnotherapists providing the treatment. This allows for safe and effective treatment.

Likewise, you’ll want to find a center that integrates hypnotherapy into comprehensive treatment plans. In other words, programs that use hypnotherapy alongside other treatment services to enhance its efficacy and treatment outcomes.

Another important consideration when choosing a care facility is the type of program you’re looking for. There are two main modalities of addiction rehab: inpatient and outpatient.

Inpatient treatment requires participants to live in a care facility for the length of the treatment. This allows for 24/7 care and supervision, making it the highest level of care in addiction treatment. Inpatient programs stick to a strict schedule and can range in duration.

Outpatient treatment, on the other hand, requires participants to travel to treatment on specific days of the week. Outpatient programs can be suitable as the first step of treatment for some with less severe addictions but are often used as a step-down treatment option following inpatient rehab.

Some people are not able to attend inpatient treatment for one reason or another, which is why they may choose outpatient rehab instead.

While there is substantial evidence to support the effectiveness of hypnotherapy in addiction treatment, it does not come without its challenges and misconceptions.

There are plenty of common misconceptions and myths about hypnotherapy. One of the most common misconceptions is that during hypnotherapy, people lose control or are manipulated by their hypnotherapist. This is not the case. While hypnotherapy puts you in a hypnotic state, you are still conscious and in control for the duration of your session.

Other misconceptions include that hypnotherapy causes you to lose memory or that being capable of being hypnotized makes you weak or unintelligent. These are also both false assumptions. Some of these misconceptions are due to the ways hypnosis is portrayed in media. In movies and television, we often see hypnosis as a dramatic act or show, but in hypnotherapy, it is simply a technique to access the subconscious.

Another challenge with hypnotherapy is the stigma that surrounds it. Because it is considered an alternative therapy, people discount the efficacy of hypnotherapy or assume it doesn’t work. However, with increasing amounts of evidence-based research being published, perceptions about hypnotherapy are changing for the better.

It’s also important to note that hypnotherapy is not without its limitations. Hypnotherapy does not work for everyone and it’s essential to understand that it is most effective when combined with other treatment services. That being said, it is an integral part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

The cost of hypnotherapy in addiction treatment can vary quite a bit based on several factors. However, you may have to pay a fee per session or pay for your treatment program outright, depending on the facility you choose.

Cost can vary based on the location of the treatment center, availability of space, duration of treatment, and type of treatment program.

For those who have health insurance, it is likely you can get at least part of the cost of your treatment covered by your provider. This is because the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires all marketplace plans to offer coverage to some extent for substance abuse treatment.

To find out if you qualify for coverage, you’ll want to look for treatment centers that are within your provider’s network. From there, we suggest calling your insurance company to review your healthcare plan and determine what coverage you are eligible for.

Some insurance providers require that you meet your deductible, receive an official diagnosis, seek out a particular treatment modality, or get prior authorization before covering your treatment.

While still emerging as a core treatment in addiction recovery, hypnotherapy continues to gain ground.

For example, many new developments in hypnotherapy may help expand its reach. These include the integration of digital hypnosis platforms and online therapy options. Developments such as these can make hypnotherapy much more accessible to a wide range of patients.

Another exciting development is the use of virtual reality (VR) in hypnotherapy. This implementation can greatly enhance the therapeutic experience of hypnotherapy sessions, leading to deeper breakthroughs and better treatment outcomes.

The increasing amount of research supporting hypnotherapy’s effectiveness in addiction treatment also hints at a bright future for the treatment. One recent study published in Frontier, found CBT and hypnotherapy to lead to similar abstinence rates in smokers.

Because hypnotherapy can be highly personalized to the individual and continues to show promise, it’s clear the role of this treatment is evolving to meet the demands of modern addiction treatment. Additionally, it can be added to a comprehensive treatment program with ease.

Finding a rehab center that offers hypnotherapy can be daunting at first, but with the right tips and techniques, it doesn’t have to be.

One of the easiest ways to find an addiction treatment center that offers hypnotherapy is to use online directories to narrow your search. The NIH National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) search engine, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) treatment locator, and our lists of top rehab centers in each state are great places to start.

If you’re still feeling overwhelmed by the number of options, you may also consider asking your doctor for referrals. They’ll be able to find treatment centers in your network that offer hypnotherapy specifically.

Take advantage of reviews and testimonials from clients as well. They may provide more information about the actual experience and the services offered.

We also encourage you to ask questions such as the following when touring rehab facilities:

• Do you offer hypnotherapy?
• How is hypnotherapy implemented into treatment programs?
• What are your visitor restrictions?
• Do you offer any amenities?
• What do your housing arrangements look like? Will I be sharing a room?
• Do you have a board-certified hypnotherapist?
• Do you offer dual diagnosis treatment?
• Is your program inpatient or outpatient?
• Do you offer personalized treatment plans?
• How will my treatment plan be developed?
• What are your payment options?
• What aftercare support do you offer?
• How long is your treatment program?

In the context of addiction treatment, hypnotherapy offers a unique set of benefits that can greatly improve treatment outcomes. It can be used in combination with other treatment methods and can treat addiction as well as other mental health conditions.

Considering hypnotherapy for yourself or a loved one? Give our helpline a call today for more information on hypnotherapy in substance abuse treatment.