IN ADDITION to the frankly nervous conditions which have been described in the previous chapter, there are numerous bad habits such as Alcoholism, Excessive Smoking, Sexual Perversions and Bed-wetting, which have a big nervous element. All these, together with complaints such as Stammering, Blushing, Stage Fright and Insomnia, respond very well to hypnotism; whereas orthodox psychiatry is seldom, if ever, able to affect a cure.

This case clearly illustrates its value in alcoholism. This patient had been in the habit of taking excessive alcohol over a period of twenty years; on occasions he would even drink methylated spirits. All sorts of treatment had been tried without success, and his wife was in despair. The patient was a charming man and very sincere in his desire to overcome his habit, which was ruining his life. Being intelligent and co-operative, he was easily hypnotized at the first attempt. Five half-hourly sessions of hypnosis at weekly intervals were sufficient to remove the craving completely; in fact, the patient did not touch alcohol after the first treatment. Only a light stage of hypnosis was induced, thus illustrating once more that a deep state of trance is not necessary for medical purposes. 
There has been no relapse in spite of severely trying conditions over a considerable period of time, and his wife reports that he is a better man, mentally, morally and physically. Alcoholics usually make good subjects when they are sincere in their desire to give it up. Those who are dragged along by their wife or relatives and who secretly have no desire to be cured make difficult subjects. Often they say they will co-operate, but do everything possible to resist. 

The only reason for such a person consenting to hypnosis at all is that he can get sympathy from those around him, and say, ‘Well, I’ve tried every possible way to get cured - I’ve even tried hypnosis!’
However, if the patient is sincere, hypnosis is remarkably successful. Most alcoholics secretly hope that they will be able to drink sociably like other people. It should be explained that this is impossible for them, and that they have become sensitive or allergic to alcohol in the way in which some people are allergic to various articles of food. Therefore the only thing to do is to give it up completely.

Another case illustrates the extreme effectiveness of this method. One patient was brought along by his doctor, who incidentally had had treatment himself. The patient was a man of very good position and happily married. His wife wrote a long letter to say how he was going downhill owing to drink and was in danger of losing his position. The patient was hypnotized three times and, writing to report himself cured, stated that he had not touched drink after the first session, and had taken a proper breakfast for the first time in ten years. Some time later he wrote to say how happy he was now that he was free from the drink habit.

These cases were stopped by hypnosis while actually drinking. 
The doctor carried on his practice and the business man was able to mix with business associates who were drinking heavily.
Another case was that of a very pleasant woman who had taken to drinking to excess over a considerable period of time. She had started taking alcohol to give herself a ‘lift’ at the end of the day when she felt the strain of running a home with several children. This gradually increased until she was incapable of leaving it off. She was unable to indulge in any form of social life until she had taken large quantities of alcohol to ‘steady her nerves’.

Hypnosis was induced four times with complete success, and she wrote to say that she had not touched alcohol, even when taking a prominent part in a large social function. In curing alcoholism by hypnosis, it is not sufficient to produce a condition where the patient cannot drink. Many amateur and stage hypnotists set up a conditioned reflex, saying, ‘If you drink alcohol, you will be sick and vomit it up,’ or else, ‘If you try to lift up a glass of alcohol, your hand will be paralysed,’ or some such command. If the patient has been hypnotized deeply, then such a suggestion is very likely to be carried out.

Should there be amnesia, as is very likely after a deep trance, the patient will be exceedingly worried as to why his hand becomes paralysed, and may even develop a neurosis concerning this. In any case, his curiosity is aroused to see if he will be sick. Even if the suggestion is carried out, he is tempted to try it again and again, hoping to wear down the suggestion - which, in time, he may do, although probably at the expense of his health.

For medical purposes it is not necessary to induce a deep trance, and suggestions are given which remove the desire for drink. Since there is no amnesia, the patient knows why he will not drink and is able to feel that he is co-operating in his own cure. Patients like to think that their will-power is increased, and in this way they regain their self-respect.

Very occasionally one meets a foolish type of patient who insists on being shown by some practical test how ‘powerful’ hypnotism really is.
Such a patient was a lady who had becn in a home specially devoted to the cure of alcoholics. Unfortunately, she had always relapsed after previous treatments, and the doctor advised her to have hypnotic treatment to prevent relapse. After the first session, at which only a light hypnosis was induced, she had no desire for drink. However, having seen an exhibition of stage hypnosis during which one subject apparenfly had to throw away his cigarette, she demanded that she should be given proof of the power of hypnotism. The fact that she had no desire for drink did not seem to impress her. On her last visit, therefore, certain sugges-tions were made; and that these convinced her is apparent from the letter which her doctor sent:

‘I know you will be amused to hear what happened to Mrs..... Being headstrong and not very intelligent, she went to the bar at the station on her way back from her last visit to you and ordered a Guinness not, she says, because she wanted it, but to see whether she could drink it. It tasted so horrible that she did not finish it, and now says that she knows she is cured and is quite happy about it.’

Such a way of using post-hypnotic suggestions is not advised. Few patients are as foolish as this; and most are perfectly satisfied if the craving for drink is removed.

Another habit which often causes patients to seek hypnotic treatment is that of excessive smoking. A typical case was referred by her doctor as her nerves were in a very bad state owing to her habit. At the first session she proved to be a very poor hypnotic subject: partly owing to her nervousness, and partly due to her almost pathetic anxiety to succeed.
The well-meaning but unfortunate suggestion of her doctor did not improve matters. Advising her to try hypnosis, he rather spoilt things by adding, ‘Mind you, I don’t suppose he will be able to hypnotize you - you’re not the type!’ However, at the second session the patient was able to go into a light trance and suggestions were made to cure the smoking habit. Three weeks later she wrote, ‘Well, after thirty years’ absorption I am very glad to be able to tell you that I appear to be completely cured.’

How is it that hypnotism can break a habit such as this? Most people state that they smoke because it ‘soothes their nerves’. Actually, nicotine is a nerve irritant. It has a temporary deadening effect on the nerves in much the same way as a dentist can deaden the nerves with an injection. Just as increased pain and soreness is felt when the injection wears off, so, as the deadening effect of the nicotine wears off, the nerves feel more irritable than ever.
Thus the patient gets into the habit of smoking more and more, and may develop into a chain smoker. What happens when they try to give up the habit by exerting their ‘will-power’? Exposed to Irritation of their tortured nerves which they do not know how to control, they are forced to give in and start their habit all over again.
As we have seen before, imagination is stronger than will-power and, as they think they are unable to resist, all efforts to struggle against it are of no avail. Hypnotism can calm the nerves and teach the patient to control them. As a result of the nerves feeling calm and peaceful, the patient is easily able to resist, as there is no real desire or craving for cigarettes.
Another case was that of a young man who was rapidly becom-ing a ‘bundle of nerves’ owing to excessive smoking. He was easily hypnotized, and after a few sessions was able to relax easily and remain calm and peaceful in the face of trying circumstances. As a result he felt no need of cigarettes and was easily able to give them up with no hardship whatsoever.

This method is far better than that usually adopted by amateur hypnotists and stage professionals. Relying on deep hypnosis and the post-hypnotic suggestion these people usually suggest that ‘cigarettes will taste like burnt rubber’ or something equally unpleasant.
As with alcoholism, the patient’s curiosity is aroused and he will keep trying to see if every cigarette will taste unpleasant. At each attempt a small amount of nicotine is absorbed and so irritates the nerves. Further, by persistent effort it will be possible in time to overcome a post-hypnotic suggestion of this nature.

Such a method does not remove the craving for cigarettes - it merely prevents the patient enjoying them - hoping that the un-pleasant taste will set up a continued reflex and so stop him smoking. Such ‘cures’ can come about only when the post-hypnotic influence is exceedingly strong, and will prove successful in only a small proportion of cases. Even when successful, relapse is very likely, as the patient has no means of calming his nerves.

Sometimes, as with alcoholism, one meets a foolish patient who wants to be convinced of the ‘power’ of hypnotism. Such a patient was an elderly business man who found his memory becoming impaired by excessive smoking. He was quite a good hypnotic subject and quickly lost all desire for cigarettes. Nevertheless, he was not satisfied with this but stated that, although he did not feel any need for cigarettes, he felt sure he could smoke if he wanted to do so.
It was pointed out that he ought to be satisfied as he had lost the craving, and that it would be foolish deliberately to try smoking. However, he felt that he must have proof of the ‘power’ of hypnotism. After several sessions, the post-hypnotic suggestion was given that cigarettes would taste exceedingly foul and that the unpleasant taste would get worse and worse with every puff he took.

At the conclusion of the session the patient lit a cigarette, but quickly threw it away after a couple of puffs with an expression of disgust. He then expressed himself perfectly satisfied and promised not to experiment further!
Fortunately, most patients are more intelligent than this, and are perfectly satisfied if the craving is removed.