If you are struggling with a habit that you need to quit, Alchemical Hypnotherapy can provide you with an amazingly effective process to assist you in permanently freeing you from your addictive patterns.

We know that many addictive patterns have a physiological element, which is best addressed by medical procedures, sound nutrition, and the support of a 12-step program. But psychological research has also indicated that much unhealthy, addictive behavior originates as a compensation for blockage in the meeting of normal healthy needs for love, approval, creative expression, etc. Addictive Personality Technique (APT) provides an excellent adjunct for the treatment of almost any habitual behavior, by addressing the core unmet needs which exist behind any addiction, and meeting those needs through direct action or guided fantasy. By automatically experiencing the deep pleasure of this alternative fantasy every time the addict craves their addictive behavior, s/he can easily let go of the addictive behavior and the lesser pleasure that it provides.

Usually a hypnotic trance is necessary in order to do APT, because the client's inner defenses generally preclude any conscious awareness of these unmet needs and their associated pain. Therefore a brief trance induction (5-10 minutes) is a requisite first step.
We instruct the client during the journey down into trance that "we are going to meet the  "smoker/overeater/gambler, etc. within you." The hypnotist must be careful once we have met this apparently unsavory figure to pace (establish rapport with) this character very carefully. Any sign of judgment or criticism from the therapist will close down the addictive personality and end the process. After rapport is firmly established, we ask the addictive personality (AP) to enjoy in fantasy it's desired behavior, experiencing and describing all of the sensual and emotional gratification it receives. Then the AP is asked to come up with any alternative behavior at all which might feel at least as good as the addictive behavior, which might create the same or comparable feelings in the body. Answers will vary but may include fantasies of emotional or sexual fulfillment, expressing anger or other emotions, being approved or honored, exercise, rest, etc...
 
The remaining steps in the process involve linking these new behaviors or fantasized behaviors to the desire for the addictive behavior.

Repetition of the process and the ample use of direct hypnotic suggestion and emotional clearing strategies greatly assist the integration of this process into the clients' daily life. I often prefer to prepare a custom-made hypnotic tape for my clients which can anchor these alternative fantasies or behaviors more easily and effortlessly into the client's daily life.

I personally recommend that Addictive Personality Technique be experienced in conjunction with other forms of direct suggestion and interactive process from a trained Hypnotherapist. I also encourage those whose addiction has a strong physical/emotional component (alcohol, narcotics, etc.) to use this process only as a follow up to appropriate medical treatment, counseling, an applicable detoxification program, and a twelve-step support group. Addressing your basic needs for love, nurturing, etc. can only be successful if we are not at the same time wrestling with the overwhelming physical "need" for a substance that is created by long-term abuse.

By David Quigley