Drug Addictions and Hypnotherapy

The following article is from the October newsletter, and is written by guest writer, Petra Hoffmann. Petra does hypnotherapy to compliment her mental health counseling work, her writing and her speaking. You can find her book on the trials of drugs and addiction at Friesen Press. Petra works in the Vancouver and Surrey area of British Columbia.

First, I would like to extend a warm Hello to all my new colleagues. I recently completed my Clinical Hypnotherapy course with the best school in the world, Coastal Academy. It is the most intense course I have ever taken part in, and I have come out of it a much better, and much more spiritually advanced person.

It was through out the program that it became clear to me that I ought to specialize in addictions. There are not many hypnotherapists in our region taking on this huge task. Since there is not much I do not know- personally- about drugs and withdrawal symptoms, it was my thought that it would be selfish to not help others like me.

I was so grateful to have signed up with the International Medical and Dental Hypnotherapist Association- especially when I first discovered all of the wonderful scripts they have on file in their library, including many for alcoholism and addictions. I had initially thought that I would have to start from scratch, writing my own scripts. I was also pleasantly surprised to discover that there are only a few changes required to make them ready for use. I encourage everyone to take advantage of the library at the IMDHA.

I would like to take this opportunity, since I have your ear, to caution counselors and hypnotherapists who have not had experience with pharmaceutical and street drugs. When dealing with opiates and most pharmaceutical addictions, you may want to send your clients to a rehabilitation facility prior to treating them or in conjunctions with your treatment. Without careful medical supervision, and allowing the client to be slowing weaned off most opiates and some pharmaceuticals, there could be severe adverse consequences. Drug withdrawals are not something to be taken lightly , as they can cause both physical and psychological conflict- and can even lead to death.

I look forward to working in this industry, and I sincerely invite you to contact me should you have any questions.

Petra Hoffmann, www.Petrabilities.com