When I began working in the Hypnosis and Substance Use Disorder field, it was ruled by the beliefs of Alcoholics Anonyms, and Harm Reduction was treated like it was the enemy. Interestingly enough, Bill W., who started AA in the 30(s) came up with the phrase, once an alcoholic, always an Alcoholic, but then in the late 1950(s) Bill W. came out in the news papers and claimed that he had been cured of his alcoholism.
I was trained and certified as a Hypnotherapist back in the early 90(s), at that same time I was earning a degree in Social Work, where I received training as a Substance Use Disorder Professional, and during one of my first Substance Use Disorder jobs, (during the early 90s), , I was sitting in the lunch room with my new co-workers and we were talking about recovery techniques. I mentioned the term Harm Reduction, and the room grew silent, this was followed by huge explosive talk about how the only way to work with Addictions is treat the addiction as the Problem instead of a symptom of a larger problem..
Some of the biggest names in the field today, such as Gabor Matte, have promoted the idea that addictions are coping mechanisms that we use to deal with emotional issues and traumas.
Think about that, and ask yourself the question, what were the benefits of my addiction , when I first started using? For most addicts, the use of substances became an escape. No matter what the issue was, stress, anxiety, social anxiety, low self worth and / or esteem, once you began to feel the effects of the substance and you could release your self of those emotional traumas, you began using more and more.
Now one of the issues is that your body becomes physically addicted to the substance, and so in many cases you should consult with a Dr. or Substance Use Disorder Professional, when you first start going through addiction treatment. Make sure you seek the advice of professionals as you go through this process.
I have worked with daily users of Alcohol, Nicotine, and Methamphetamine, who had lost, or were facing the loss of their jobs, their relationships, and their homes. After just six sessions of Foundation Personal Energy Mastery, they were able to reduce and / or eliminate their substance usage completely, through techniques used in harm reduction treatment.
One of the first things I explain to my clients is that they deserve a big pat on the back for seeking out methods to make themselves feel better. The problem is that the client chose a coping mechanism that had many severe consequences that were attached. What they would be taught, and would now start using as healthy coping mechanisms, is that WE ARE NOT OUR THOUGHTS, WE ARE NOT OUR EMOTIONS. Through Hypnosis and Emotional Release Therapy they would learn how to break the link between their thoughts and their emotions. I never want the client to forget what the original thoughts or images are, I want them to be able to view those thoughts and not respond with the flight, fight, or freeze response.
The new responses come from changing our brain wave frequencies through Hypnosis, Mindfulness, Meditation, and Awareness.
We can not control the people or events around us, but we can control ourselves, and our responses. Using Techniques and tools taught by Foundations Hypnosis, you will learn powerful techniques that will allow you to become mindful, aware, and in control of the responses you put out.
I wonder what the scene in the lunch room, with my new co-workers, would have been like if I had mentioned the term Harm Reduction, today?
Are you facing the consequences of addiction, are you trying to deal with consequences of excessive substance use. CALL now, (206) 417-4900, Foundation Hypnosis and Life Coaching, get started on a life filled with Mindfulness, Awareness, and Peace and Joy.
Remeber (206) 417-4900, or e-mail me at dlscott2@comcast.net. You will be so GLAD that you did.