noun  self–med·i·ca·tion \-ˌmed-ə-ˈkā-shən\

“Medication of oneself especially without the advice of a physician”

In stressful occasions do you turn to alcohol or drugs? “Drowning in your troubles” by turning to a case of beer or bottle of wine on a rare occasion may be innocent. When it becomes a habit is when it’s turned into self-medicating. When an individual realizes that these substances create even a modicum of relief, they turn to them more and more and become dependent. The self-medicating theory claims that the person becomes drawn to drugs and or alcohol depending on the symptoms. For example, an individual experiencing anxiety is much more attracted to sedative type of drug. Or a stimulant can be much more attractive to those suffering from depression.

Risks associated with self-medicating include

• Inaccurate diagnosis
• Using inappropriate medications causing dangerous side effects
• Masking the symptoms of a mental illness and/or serious medical condition
• Delaying medical advice
• Inaccurate dosage that leads to accidental overdose
• Substance abuse can lead to suicide
• Addiction

The endless cycle of self-medicating to alleviate emotional pain like depression and/or anxiety with drugs & alcohol can gain traction and snowball through generations. But no one knows exactly what is happening or why it is happening. Dependency means that the mind relies on the effects of the drug and when a person stops the use, it  will create cravings that can become intense.

What to do if you or someone you know is self-medicating and or struggling from addiction?

 
Hypnotherapy can train a person to access their thoughts and target those which foster the need for substances. This change can make all the difference as hypnosis is an exercise bringing about deep relaxation and an altered state of consciousness. The University of Maryland explains that contrary to popular belief, hypnosis does not allow the hypnotist to control a person’s mind. Instead, the hypnotized individual may learn to control their own state of being through conditioned efforts led by the hypnotherapist. Hypnotherapy can be an effective source of treatment. It can be used to reinforce or create positive habits and thoughts to break the addiction. Dr Biodun Ogunyemi states that the unconscious mind controls not just our habits but also holds all the information that makes us behave the way we do, think the way we think, and feel the way we feel. The most difficult part in the recovery process is refraining from and or not relapsing. Hypnotherapy is useful in numerous ways, such as aiding in withdrawal symptoms or creating visual images of oneself. Results can be very positive; however, these characteristics must be present for the best outcome:

• Addict must be motivated to change
• Drugs and or alcohol must be completely removed
• Extensive hypnotherapy must be done
• Addict must be seen regularly

If you are ready to explore hypnotherapy, and see how it can change your life too! Check out our programs and book a free consultation session today.