What makes a day interesting: When I received a subdued call, with frantic undertones, from a gentleman 20 miles away. He was experiencing withdrawal symptoms from a drug, medication that was an addictive painkiller.

Extremely uncomfortable, he had abstained for 56 straight hours, but now he needed help. 

Years ago in a prior relationship, his partner had hypnotized him for fun and found he was a good candidate for hypnotic induction. Remembering this, he looked up hypnotherapy and found me.

How quickly could I get there? he asked.

I arrived to find his home under going major renovations, and builders were all over the place.  Speaking in a whispered tone, he did not want anyone to know the problem.

After assuring him that the rules of patient confidentiality applied to me just as for everyone else in the medical profession, I listened, over the construction clatter, to the tale of how he became addicted.

He showed me scars from his surgeries, and said he needed help with his withdrawal symptoms, hypersensitivity, sweats, insomnia, rapid heartbeat, accelerated  breathing, dizziness and tingling.  No surprises among them.

His symptoms were similar to a panic attack.

As he continually stressed, he was constantly spiking his sugar levels. He needed foods that would stabilize his blood sugar levels. Once he has done this for 72 hours, he would feel less emotional and hyper-vigilant, his nervousness would ease, and the remaining panic signals would recede and disappear, leaving him more relaxed.

Just Perfect

My client was close to being the deep-level hypnotic candidate known as a somnambulist, one who hypnotizes swiftly, the kind often used as entertainment bait at a stage show. In fact, one person in five is a somnambulist. It is critical for the hypnotist to know the suggestibility of a client so he may a offer the most effective suggestions to to gain the desired changes.

It is not a good idea to hypnotize one where he normally sleeps. When you sleep, you sleep. You are not hypnotized. Under hypnosis, you are not asleep. A huge difference. In this setting, though, I had no choice. We set him up to sit comfortably on his bed, not, however, in a way that would allow him to sleep.

We all have our sleep routines. To introduce hypnosis in a sleeping location runs the risk of the client slipping from hypnosis to sleep.

Thankfully, the positioning worked. Once the hypnosis was complete, he felt more relaxed, less tense.

This Is Not a Cruise

He does have a difficult time ahead of him, though.  There is going to be a constant pull from his old behaviors to draw him back to his addiction. He will have to work at just saying no.

With each day, his resistance will strengthen. The urge to use diminishes over time.

It was clear he was determined to best his addiction. This session was a first step.

When an alcoholic or an addict reaches their bottom, that is when their attitude changes and recovery starts.

My client has other issues but for a day, he wanted to feel better.

He reaffirmed that he understood what was needed. 

He was actively involved in cleansing himself.

Whenever he needs me to help him to relax and feel better through hypnosis, I will be there to help.

Do not hesitate to contact me by telephone, 310.204.3321, or by email at nickpollak@hypnotherapy4you.net. See my website at www.hypnotherapy4you.net