Healing and Hypnotherapy Volume - 3, Special Mega Annual Issue 15 June 2019 | Page 70

From Alcoholic to a New Life
Dan P. started to drink heavily more than 20 years ago when
professional, financial, marital and family aspects of life faced major
upheavals. Drinking became a temporary getaway to relieve the stress.
Later on things got better, but Dan continued to use drinking beers as a
way to reward himself for his achievement. He had been to Alcoholics
Anonymous (AA) meetings, joined Recovery 2.0 online community, read
extensively, and dedicated himself to practice yoga and meditation. He
still struggled with the craving and temptation to grab a beer.
During the consultation call we went over Dan’s history and goals, then
confirmed that he also needed better clarity to understand his bigger
purpose of life. He recalled the consultation as, “…good questions
asked to ascertain my goals and commitment, as well as some history
to better understand my situation.. It was very helpful to know
afterwards of the plan, path forward, and expectations. I feel well
supported and ready.”
Before the first meeting I send him a book “The Secret Language of
Feelings: A Rational Approach to Emotional Mastery” by Calvin
Banyan to prepare his journey to explore the underlying emotions of
drinking and how people use too-much behaviours to distract
unresolved feelings. Dan also signed up for self-hypnosis class at the
end of each session, which could he integrate easily with his morning
yoga and meditation routine.
At the first session after using the rapid induction and deepening
techniques, I employed the aversion technique of linking the craving
and temptation to an obnoxious smell he disliked, installed a "release"
button in his hand by squeezing the index finger and thumb together
(anchor collapse), and enhanced the brain pathway rewiring using the
control room technique. In the “control room” we practiced unplugging
the craving and temptation wire and reconnecting with the “release”
button, and then maximise the release volume by rubbing his index
finger and thumb in circular motions.
After session 1 Dan texted me the next day, "I had an amazing sleep.
Don't remember the details but I still have a strong image of the release