Hypnotherapy

"Hypnosis and the associated techniques work because they allow you to open up your subconscious mind, remove old, unhealthy or unwanted patterns or behaviors, and replace them with new desirable ones. Once your conscious mind taps into the incredibly powerful and influential subconscious--the area where your beliefs are stored and your behaviors controlled--almost anything is possible."

Roberta Jewell
My Way Out

…The thing I was most cynical of when starting, was the hypno. As a jaded New Yorker, I thought it was going to be utter bull. Much to my suprise, I find that the hypno is what gets me right down to the root of my drinking problem. It can be hard to get into, I understand. But, please give it another try. I find that putting a warm compress over my eyes helps block out the world and allows me into my mind. I use it as total therapy for the reasons why I drink in the first place. It allows you to shed a lot of the negatives which permiate your being. It also allows you to believe in yourself and pump up the things that make you fabulous. Maybe you can use this to get your motivation back on track.
As for excersise, I think it is really important as well. However, it can be a thing that creates undue pressure, as in "I haven't done sit-ups today, or gone running". It doesn't need to be that way. Just walk faster when you are going somewhere and think about getting your heart beating faster.
You haven't lost your motivation. Your motivation is looking for you.

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Ready2BDone

I don't hear many people talk about the cd's which really suprises me. For me (and I'm past my 12th week now) they have been the biggest help. I think all aspects of the program are wonderful and work together very well as described in the book. But I definately feel that the hynotic cd's helped me so much. Worth every penny I spent!
Good luck.

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DMcDesigns

…I chanted "I don't drink and I don't smoke" over and over whilst in the stream,in the hammock and in the fluffy clouds . It seems to be working.

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Misha io

I have been listening to the CD's for over 4 months. I think they play a major role in staying sober. I didn't even think wanting to be a better mother was an insult. As a matter of fact, I was so glad to be sober I didn't care what was being said as long as it was working. I listen to one of them every day. I think it is time well spent. And think about the return on investment. The more I use them the less they cost me per use. (Boy I am cheap aren't I)

It is best to not turn the sleep learning CD up too loud. As far as being grumpy, I find that when I get grumpy a little exercise to some good music takes it out of me. You will get past this.

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MDBiker

Ive come to enjoy the quirky voice, but, must admit it took a few times.

Visualization: Not everyone is adept at this. I have a very hard time with it and use alternative techniques which do not effect the efficacy of the CDs. E.G., rather than stairs or escalators, etc I imagine a gentle falling feeling. Whatever works for you.

Relaxation: My only complaint is the relaxation technique. I use Progressive Muscle Relaxtion. You can get a CD from Richard Surwit, PhD, a Duke Medical School researcher at

www.richardsurwit.com/

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rigpaseeker

For me, the hypnotism is the key that brings it all together. I don't know if it's the same for everybody but it has really really helped me. It also gives you something to do if you've got a craving that gets hold of you... just put on your headphones and go deeper!
Plus, the vitamins are a trip in themselves. Feeling this good is as pleasurable as a glass of wine, and it sure does something to your state of mind when you realize you can really do it!
Anyway, good luck and keep at it.. promise that you'll see a big difference really quickly!

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USAnne

Hello Sonya. You sound like you are off to a good start. I tend to share your feelings about group support; it was not my cup of tea, either. However, it may behoove you to consider you physician's advice depending on how things go as you begin the program.

I did not share this earlier on the message board but will do so now because your question is one I struggled with myself.

I was surprised to find early in the process the hypnotherapy sessions (specifically the "Clearing" recording) brought up memories and issues from my childhood that I had not expected. It only took place twice but it resulted in a very positive outcome because I later learned that these events may have eventually contributed to my drinking. I decided to seek the advice of a counselor to further explore this and I must admit I do not believe this is something I would have done prior to beginning this program. I gained a great deal of clarity over it, but I believe we all gain a lot of clarity when we stop drowning our feelings, thoughts, emotions and pain in alcohol.

So for me, the hypnotherapy and subsequent one-on-one counseling sessions (I only had a few over the course of two months but they were very helpful) was pivotal in healing and in addressing the pain I had buried inside of me for many years. And by taking those issues to a professional who specialized in this area, I was better able to address it; to face it and to move forward. It was incredibly freeing and I am glad I made the decision to do so.

You must make the decision about what is right for you, but I thought perhaps it would be helpful to share my experience because for me I think this was as beneficial as all the other aspects of this wonderful program.

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tammy

I just wanted to share another story that happened yesterday. I know sometimes I come across as a cheerleader... never just plodding along, but always something happening (sorry, just my nature!) but I wanted to share this with you.

Yesterday my "drinking buddy" called me at work, asking me to drop by after work. This friend of mine has been almost a second mother to me since I moved to France, and has always been there for me. But she too is an alcoholic and has been steadily spiraling these last few months. I've talked to her about the MWO program and she seems interested, but I'm not sure if she could get it together to do it.

Anyway, at first I didn't call back. I have been avoiding going to see her because the only real time I've broken down in 6 weeks was with her. But I wanted to see her and also let her know that I hadn't forgotten her : she's divorced and lives alone.

So I decided, driving home from work, to drop by. When I got there, I told her I couldn't stay very long cause I wanted to get home to the dog (my boxer stayed in the house alone for the first time yesterday... I was terrified that my house would be wrecked, but it wasn't!) and also that I didn't want a drink. Before, she would pour one out immediately after I walked in the door. But instead she gave me a glass of orange juice and she had one too. I stayed for an hour and we talked about everything... just like old times, but without the booze.

This is a milestone for me. I had even been going through it in my hypnosis sessions : how I would react when I got to her house. It worked. And I'm thrilled.

I also "spilled the beans" to a young colleague/good friend at work yesterday. She was astounded when I told her I had a drinking problem (I felt like telling her because she has confided in me more than once and I believe I can trust her. Also because she sees me taking all these pills and was wondering what was going on). To make a long story short, she told me that her parents were also booze lovers and she was familiar with the problem, and that it didn't in any way diminish her opinion of me, in fact she admired me even more.

I was so touched and pleased at her reaction. Just goes to show that some people, even alot of doctors, are complete assholes when we come clean with our drinking problems. And others are just, well, wonderful. It made me want to reach out to all of you to say, you know, we're pretty cool people. And we are ESPECIALLY strong, because we've got a problem, and we're determined to beat it.

I think we should all be so proud of ourselves. Even if we slip up sometimes, we're DOING something about it. And that's the mark of real character, don't you think? I think we're all great! So there!

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USAnne

The programs works !! I have had nothing for 3 weeks, went out last night for my 20th anniversary dinner and had made a conscious decision that I would have a maximum of 2 drinks. Had two martinis which I made myself sip slowly, enjoying every cold flavour (one of my hypno suggestions as I usually guzzle the whole drink down before I realize what has happened). Then I had water . Didnt feel sorry for myself when the other people ordered special coffees.

That's the beauty of this plan. I can start today without saying "Oh I failed" because its not AA, a drink doesnt put you back to square one.

Not to say I am just sailing along. My hardest time is after work, or even during work, dealing with the stress and anger. Used to love that "reward" but am learning to live without it. Never thought this day would come

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USAnne