Substance abuse is often a result of attempting to cope with complex emotions. Our brain is wired in a way that its reward system gets triggered by drug use. When one consumes any type of drug, and their brain responds by releasing dopamine – the feel-good hormone – it can make people quickly addicted. Here’s how addiction works.  

Drug Addiction: How Does It Work?

When dopamine is released by our brains every time drugs are used, it gets control of the body’s ability to feel pleasure. Each time that it feels the trigger, it encourages the drug addict to get triggered again in an attempt to ‘feel good.’ The same reward system gets overstimulated when drugs are consumed, which then leads to a ‘high’ that makes the addict want to keep using the drug frequently.

An addict’s brain basically readjusts its ability to produce less dopamine or impacts the cells in the reward system to make them less responsive. Over time, the addict’s body builds tolerance, leading to them requiring more and more of the drug in order to feel the usual ‘high.’

The lack of dopamine and other chemical changes in the body due to drug abuse primarily affects a person’s ability to make decisions, learn new things, and has a negative impact on stress tolerance levels and memory. Some drug addicts have also reported mental health issues along with physical illnesses that have led to symptoms such as hallucinations, paranoia, anxiety, aggressive behavior, lack of energy or interest in meeting friends or family, not wanting to indulge in hobbies they once enjoyed, and more.

On the other hand, addiction also makes the addict feel like they are trapped in a helpless cycle of abuse where they might try hard to quit but end up relapsing. Let’s explore how hypnotherapy may help recover or counter some set of obstacles brought upon addicts by drug abuse.

Fun Fact: Did you know that our unconscious mind is responsible for over 85% of our habits, behaviors, and other functions? Fascinating!

The Relationship Between Hypnosis And Drug Addiction

Hypnosis essentially helps people develop life-altering strategies and skills needed to maintain a healthy lifestyle while achieving sobriety. When combined with other treatment forms, hypnosis can be incredibly beneficial for those in recovery. Here’s how the process works.

A preferably certified hypnotist will help you relax so that you can settle into a state of trance-like peace. It is believed that this state is where our unconscious mind becomes more open to suggestions.

The hypnotist will then use simple life-altering suggestion techniques to boost positivity while enhancing the way you perceive certain things. For example, for drug addicts, the goal of the suggestions will be to help them not crave drugs anymore by associating them with something the addict deems unpleasant.

Hypnosis is not a magical one-stop solution, but it has shown astounding results in boosting emotional health and encouraging patients to stay in the treatment program. Research shows that it has irrevocably helped lessen intense withdrawal symptoms, motivated addicts to attend meetings with sponsors, helped alleviate pain, and enabled them to be more amenable and willing to alter dangerously addictive behavior.

Whether you’re an addict looking to lead a healthier life or know someone else who might be, a licensed hypnotist at Cognitive Healing can provide you the proper care with a comfortable and safe environment.

If you’re ready to feel your best self, book a free consultation session with Rekha Shrivastava, who offers exceptional Blossom Hypnosis at Cognitive Healing, and has an extensive experience of over two decades of tapping into the power of the unconscious mind.

She uses hypnosis to help patients overcome a wide array of illnesses by treating anxiety, teaching them how to express emotions, weight loss, recovery codependency, ADHD hypnosis, and subconscious mind healing techniques, among other comprehensive services in Rochester and Pittsford, NY.