Problem: Excessive Drinking.
Age: 40
Sex: Male
Race: White
Marital Status: Married
Children: Two Boys (8 & 5)
Description of Problem
By all accounts I was in the transition between the Basic and the Chronic stages of Alcoholism. I've been drinking for over twenty years and was a binge drinker from the very start. In other words, whenever I would start, I couldn't stop. Moderation was completely out of the question. This is probably the only constant in the whole affair. I would ALWAYS drink to the point of not being able to fully remember the drinking session. In many cases I would just completely pass out.
During my twenties I would typically drink on the weekends and holidays. Amazingly I really didn't have a problem not drinking. I only had a problem once I started. I actually enjoyed it. In my case booze would free that insecure and shy young man who I so hated. After a few beers I could talk to the ladies. I could speak frankly with people who would otherwise intimidate me.
After my marriage at the age of 29 my drinking actually receded for a time. I would still drink (binging of course), but not as frequently. But, my success was short lived. The frequency in time began to increase. Up to the age of 35 the binge would only last one session or day. In my late 30s these binges started lasting for two or more days. A typical example was getting drunk on Friday night, waking up on Saturday morning to crack open a beer and start all over again. Usually the same thing would happen on Sunday. I've often missed work on Monday because I was still drunk or hung-over from Sunday night. At this point most of my drinking was done alone.
Attempts to Stop
I've often joked that I've Quit drinking a thousand times. That joke is pathetic and quite sad. I would sometimes promise my wife that I would quit. I would manage to stop for a week or two, but something would give me an excuse to start again. It would usually be Stress on the Job, a Professional outing or a family get together. In any case the cycle would start all over again. In time I stopped promising my wife that I would ever quit.
Self-Admission
Deep down I knew this was a problem, but somehow I didn't think I was at the point of drastic action. I really didn't want to talk to anyone about it.
Introduction to Hypnosis
About 10 years ago my brother visited a Hypnotherapist to quit smoking. He had smoked for eight years and had a 2 pack a day habit. He had great success. He never touched a cigarette after his first and only session.
Why Hypnosis Now?
My wife saw Leslie's add in the local paper. She showed me the article and asked if I wanted to go to Leslie to stop drinking. She wanted to give this to me for a Father's Day gift. I agreed without thinking about it too closely. I simply thought, what the heck?
The Hypnosis Session
I went to Leslie on a Tuesday afternoon honestly wanting it to work. I knew it could work. I wanted it to work for me too. She put me at ease, explained the procedure and gave me a few tests to size me up so to speak. I went into a room, got relaxed and had the session. It was quite enjoyable actually.
The Aftermath
I felt good about the session, but I really didn't feel any different. As I was driving home passing all the convenience stores where I've bought untold volumes of beer I kept thinking to myself, I hope this works. I thought that over and over again for the rest of the evening almost to the point of worry. I was actually frightened that the Hypnosis might not work.
When I woke up the next morning (from one of the best night's sleep I've had in awhile) I started chuckling to myself. I thought: That worry is an indicator of it actually working.
It's been five weeks since my Hypnosis and I haven't had a drink since. This may not seem like much of an accomplishment to some, but this is the longest
I've been without being drunk in over twenty years. This is quite an accomplishment for me.
The Amazing part about Hypnosis treatment is that I don't want to drink. I'm not fighting any kind of urge. I don't feel like I'm recovering from anything. I'm cured.
