Drug use does not look the same for everyone. Some people use one substance every day. Others lose control at weekends, combine several drugs or repeatedly return to something they genuinely intended to stop.
You may still be working, maintaining relationships and appearing outwardly successful while knowing that the pattern is becoming increasingly difficult to control. Alternatively, drug use may already be affecting your health, sleep, finances, work, confidence or relationships.
I provide hypnotherapy, NLP and practical behavioural support for adults who want to change patterns involving cannabis, cocaine, alcohol and some other substances. This work can help with habits, triggers, cravings, emotional regulation and relapse prevention. It is not a substitute for medical care, detoxification or specialist drug treatment where these are needed.
If you are unsure what level of support is appropriate, contact your GP or a local drug and alcohol service before stopping a substance suddenly.
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When Drug Use Becomes a Problem
Not everyone who uses a drug is dependent upon it. The important questions are how much control you have and what the pattern is costing you.
Possible warning signs include:
- Using more frequently or in larger amounts than intended
- Repeated unsuccessful attempts to reduce or stop
- Strong cravings or constant thoughts about the next opportunity to use
- Needing the substance to relax, sleep, socialise or feel normal
- Hiding or minimising how much you use
- Spending increasing amounts of money on drugs
- Taking risks you would normally avoid
- Continuing despite problems with health, work or relationships
- Combining drugs with alcohol
- Feeling anxious, irritable, low or unable to sleep when you stop
- Returning to use during stress, boredom, loneliness or emotional distress
A substance can begin as a way of having fun, fitting in, relaxing or escaping. Repetition then connects it with particular people, places, emotions and routines. Eventually, the trigger can activate the urge before you have consciously decided what to do.
Substances I May Help People With
Most of the drug-related work I undertake involves cannabis, cocaine or alcohol. I have also worked with people experiencing patterns involving crack cocaine and, more occasionally, ketamine, heroin and substances previously described as “legal highs.”
Every situation needs to be considered individually. Hypnotherapy alone is not the appropriate treatment for every person or substance.
Cannabis, Weed and Hash
Weed, marijuana and skunk normally refer to herbal forms of cannabis. Hash or hashish is cannabis resin. They are different preparations of the same broad drug rather than completely separate substances.
Regular cannabis use can become strongly connected to sleep, relaxation, appetite, social routines and avoiding difficult feelings.
My separate page about cannabis addiction and dependency explains how hypnotherapy and behavioural work may support someone who wants to reduce or stop.
Cocaine and Crack Cocaine
Cocaine and crack are both forms of cocaine, but the speed of effect can produce different patterns. Crack is generally smoked and produces a faster, shorter-lived effect that can create powerful cycles of repeated use.
Cocaine is often connected with alcohol, nightlife, confidence, work pressure or particular friendship groups. For some people, the problem is not daily use but repeatedly losing control once a session begins.
You can read more on the dedicated cocaine addiction page. The NHS also provides information about getting help for cocaine, crack and other stimulant use.
Alcohol and Multiple-Substance Use
Alcohol is legal, but that does not make dependence harmless. It is also frequently used alongside cocaine, cannabis, ketamine and other drugs.
Using more than one substance makes the effects and risks less predictable. Alcohol and cocaine together also produce cocaethylene in the body, increasing strain on the heart and other health risks.
If alcohol has become a significant part of the pattern, it should be addressed rather than treated as separate or irrelevant. More information is available on my alcohol addiction support page.
Ketamine
Recent government statistics show a considerable rise in people seeking help for ketamine problems, particularly among younger adults.
Repeated use can affect memory, mood and everyday functioning and may cause serious bladder or urinary-tract problems. Anyone experiencing pain, blood in their urine, difficulty urinating or other physical symptoms should seek medical advice.
I may help with the behavioural and psychological pattern surrounding ketamine use, but physical complications require appropriate medical assessment.
Heroin, Opioids and Other High-Risk Drugs
Heroin is an opioid and can create significant physical dependence. Treatment may involve specialist services, substitute medication and medically supported detoxification.
I have occasionally supported people whose difficulties involved heroin, but hypnotherapy must not replace specialist opioid treatment. The NHS explains the available options on its page about getting help for drug addiction.
The same caution applies to non-medical use of prescription opioids, benzodiazepines and other drugs where suddenly stopping can create serious withdrawal risks.
“Legal Highs” and New Psychoactive Substances
The phrase “legal highs” is misleading. Many are now illegal and their contents may be uncertain. They include synthetic cannabinoids such as Spice and other new psychoactive substances.
People may not know exactly what they have taken, how strong it is or what other substances have been added. FRANK’s drug information service provides current information about individual drugs, common names, effects and risks.
Call 07807 540142 or Email today and working in-person and online
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What Current UK Patterns Show
Cannabis remains the most commonly used illicit drug in England and Wales. Powder cocaine is also widely used, while crack and opioids account for a substantial proportion of specialist treatment. Recent figures also show increasing treatment demand involving cannabis, powder cocaine and ketamine. Alcohol frequently appears either alone or alongside other drugs. The full figures are available in the UK government substance-misuse treatment report.
Some patterns involve severe physical dependency. Others involve a socially accepted weekend routine that is gradually becoming less voluntary. Both deserve to be taken seriously, although they may require different forms of help.
How Hypnotherapy, NLP and Coaching May Help
Hypnotherapy does not detoxify the body, prescribe medication or remove the medical risks associated with drug use. Its role is to support the psychological and behavioural part of change.
Depending on your circumstances, sessions may help you:
- Identify the situations and emotions that trigger use
- Interrupt automatic routines and associations
- Prepare for cravings without immediately acting upon them
- Develop alternative ways of coping with pressure or difficult emotions
- Reduce overthinking and impulsive decision-making
- Improve confidence around refusing drugs in social situations
- Create healthier habits and routines
- Strengthen motivation and commitment to change
- Plan for high-risk situations
- Respond constructively to a lapse rather than turning it into a complete return to use
Drug use can also become connected to anxiety, depression or insomnia. These related difficulties may need addressing rather than expecting willpower alone to solve everything.
A Practical and Individual Approach
I do not assume that every addiction has one hidden root cause. A person’s drug use may involve several overlapping factors:
- Learned habits and routines
- Social environment
- Stress or burnout
- Boredom or loneliness
- Trauma or difficult memories
- Anxiety or low mood
- Confidence and social pressure
- Sleep difficulties
- Pleasure-seeking and impulsivity
- Physical dependence
We begin by looking honestly at what you use, how often you use it, what it does for you and what happens before and after. We can then decide whether complementary support is appropriate on its own or should work alongside your GP, a counsellor, recovery programme or specialist service.
There is no shame in needing more than one form of help. Combined support is often the responsible approach.
Medical and Service Boundaries
The Excel Practice does not provide:
- Medical diagnosis
- Drug testing
- Prescribing or substitute medication
- Supervised detoxification
- Emergency or crisis care
- Treatment for severe withdrawal
Do not suddenly stop alcohol, benzodiazepines, heroin, prescription opioids or another substance that may have created physical dependence without obtaining appropriate medical advice.
Call 999 if someone is unconscious, having a seizure, experiencing severe breathing difficulties, chest pain, extreme confusion, acute psychosis or another medical emergency. If there is an immediate risk of suicide or serious harm, use emergency or crisis services rather than waiting for a hypnotherapy appointment.
Sessions in Reading, Didcot and Online
Sessions are available in Reading, Didcot and through online hypnotherapy.
When contacting me, it is helpful to say which substance or substances are involved, how frequently you use them and whether you are already receiving medical or specialist support. Information is treated respectfully and without judgement.
MAIL@THEEXCELPRACTICE.COM OR CALL 07807 540142
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You can also explore the broader information about addictions and habitual behaviour or read the frequently asked questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can hypnotherapy cure drug addiction?
No responsible practitioner can guarantee a cure. Hypnotherapy may support changes in triggers, cravings, habits, emotional responses and decision-making, but some people also need medical care or specialist addiction treatment.
Can you help with cannabis use?
Yes, I regularly work with people who want to reduce or stop cannabis. We look at what maintains the pattern, including sleep, stress, boredom, social routines and emotional reliance.
Can you help with cocaine or crack cocaine?
I may support the psychological and behavioural part of stopping cocaine or crack. The appropriate level of support depends upon frequency, health risks, other substances and the effect the drug is having on your life.
What if I use alcohol as well as drugs?
Tell me about the complete pattern. Alcohol often lowers inhibition and triggers drug use, so ignoring it can make relapse more likely. Physical dependence on alcohol requires medical advice.
Do you provide heroin detoxification?
No. Heroin and opioid detoxification should be managed through appropriate medical and specialist services. Hypnotherapy may sometimes provide complementary support alongside that treatment.
What if I am not physically dependent but keep returning to the drug?
That is a common reason people seek help. Work can focus on triggers, automatic decisions, social situations, cravings and building alternative responses.
Can sessions take place online?
Yes, when online work is appropriate and you are sober, safe and able to participate fully in the session.
Call 07807 540142 or Email today and working in-person and online
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For a list of addictions – Addictions list, Top 10 addictions list and Telegraph.co.uk list
Reason Why drunk people take risks – Dr Mercola