Medical Studies of Drug Addiction Hypnosis

Because hypnosis is so effective for a wide range of physical and psychological issues, numerous studies have been performed on its effectiveness for recovery from drug addictions.  As you will see from a sampling of the studies of drug addiction hypnosis below, its effectiveness has been validated:

Success Rate 77 % for Drug Addiction

In a measure of 18 clients (15 for alcoholism or alcohol abuse, 2 cocaine addiction, and 1 for marijuana addiction), hypnosis showed a 77 percent success rate for at least a 1-year follow-up. ( “Intensive Therapy: Utilizing Hypnosis in the Treatment of Substance Abuse Disorders,” Potter, Greg, American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, Jul 2004.)

Success Rate 60% – 70% for Drug Addiction

Without the use of a long-range program utilizing hypnosis, the rate of success is around 2% in drug addiction treatment. Success rates in programs employing hypnosis have consistently been between 60% and 70%. (“The Use of Hypnosis in the Treatment of Drug Addiction,” Hartman, B.J., Journal of the National Medical Association, Jan 1972)

Group Hypnosis 100% Effective for Most Difficult Drug Addiction Users

In a small study of the most difficult drug users who continued to use street drugs while on methadone treatment, 100% stopped all use of street drugs at the end of the 10 weekly group hypnosis sessions, and 78% remained clean of heroin use two years later. (“Group Hypnosis Treatment of Drug Addicts,” Kaminsky D, Rosca P, Budowski D, Korin Y, Yakhnich L., Harefuah. 2008 Aug-Sep;147(8-9):679-83, 751)

Hypnosis Broke Cocaine Addiction

Hypnosis was successfully used to overcome a $500 (five grams) per day cocaine addiction. The subject was a female in her twenties. After approximately 8 months of addiction, she decided to use hypnosis in an attempt to overcome the addiction itself. Over the next 4 months, she used hypnosis three times a day and at the end of this period, her addiction was broken, and she has been drug-free for the past 9 years. Hypnosis was the only intervention, and no support network of any kind was available. (“The Use of Hypnosis in Cocaine Addiction,” Page RA, Handley GW, Ohio State University, Lima 45804. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 1993 Oct;36(2):120-3).