I am in management and run a successful business but ( and it is a big old BUT) I am also holding a massive burden of a drug addiction.

We are talking 12 years of my life being a slave to those little brown grains, with both high's and low's that I keep inside my head. I have been in prison on the run, rehab, clean , running a successful business all in the last 20 years. But through all this I have not been able to live without heroin, until the past year or so with the help of NLP and hypnotherapy i am in more control then ever before.

The clip of John Grinder talking about working with alcoholics made me wish he was my therapist all those years ago. All that he said hit me bang in the middle of my chest it felt so right.

I am looking for more help along those lines if possible.

Thanks

G

What an honest open post, thank you.

Drug addiction is a big and scary subject, in my opinion. I’m no expert on addiction, but here’s my thoughts.

Chunking up, I would describe addiction as a compulsion or huge desire. In the case of a drug like heroin, the compulsion could be huge, and a bigger motivation than other things in your life such as eating, sleeping, relationships etc. Does that make sense for you?

The 2 ideas in NLP I know of, to help with compulsion generally are-

1) Identifying the positive things that you get out of the thing you want to do, and then find other ways of getting the same things.

2) Changing the positive feelings you have about the thing you are addicted to and turning them into something you don’t like. I’ve seen that used for chocolate (I know, not in the same league) where a person went from rating her desire for chocolate at 10, and ending up at -10.

From what you say, you probably know of these already. I’m not sure if the above techniques are more suitable to mild compulsions and desires though. Maybe one of the more experienced NLP people here can advise more.

Good luck

Steve

Hi Glenn,

captain wrote:

The clip of John Grinder talking about working with alcoholics made me wish he was my therapist all those years ago. All that he said hit me bang in the middle of my chest it felt so right.

I am looking for more help along those lines if possible.

What exactly do you need help with right now ?

Regards

MH

Thanks for the posts they all help me. Over the years of treatment I have had many different councillors, some good some bad, some easy to manipulate others not so. But the one thing I would always mention is my self defeating behaviour.

It was like a devil sat on my shoulders whispering in my ear to do something negative ( steal, shoplift, take drugs etc) whist on the other shoulder the good me would be saying no don't do it thats only going to end in tears. Even though I would tell my drug workers they didn't really offer any help in the right direction until recently that is.

He explained to me that this was a hierarchy of conflict, mainly with my unconscious mind, any direction would be great.

Many Thanks

G

Hi Glenn. Have you tried any of NLP's parts processes, like Reframing, Core Transformation? I strongly recommend Core Transformation. It will definitely help you in undertanding the intentions of the "devil" sitting on your shoulders. I think if this is done, effective change should begin. However, you would require the assistance of a CT expert to do this, since the issue is slightly complex.

Vivek.

Glen,

Have you thought about emailing John Grinder and asking him if he is willing and can help you?

Jason

captain wrote:

Thanks for the posts they all help me. Over the years of treatment I have had many different councillors, some good some bad, some easy to manipulate others not so. But the one thing I would always mention is my self defeating behaviour.

It was like a devil sat on my shoulders whispering in my ear to do something negative ( steal, shoplift, take drugs etc) whist on the other shoulder the good me would be saying no don't do it thats only going to end in tears. Even though I would tell my drug workers they didn't really offer any help in the right direction until recently that is.

He explained to me that this was a hierarchy of conflict, mainly with my unconscious mind, any direction would be great.

Many Thanks

G

Interesting, and which shoulder brought you here?

aikijason wrote:

Glen,

Have you thought about emailing John Grinder and asking him if he is willing and can help you?

Jason

Any reason you suggest John Grinder specifically?

briand wrote:

Any reason you suggest John Grinder specifically?

Yes see snip from original post below.....

captain wrote:

.......The clip of John Grinder talking about working with alcoholics made me wish he was my therapist all those years ago. All that he said hit me bang in the middle of my chest it felt so right.

I am looking for more help along those lines if possible.

Thanks

G

Good evening, thanks for the messages it feels nice to have people help instead of casting me aside. The good part (conscious ) made me seek for the deeper truth and look to what ever might help and NLP has helped me a lot or ready. The reason why I feel John Grinder is someone to help me is not just because of his standing within the NLP community but is based on a clip when he talks about treating alcoholics. It was the words he used reference asking the unconscious what it wants etc. I am 100% sure thats where I need to be looking.

I have been seeing a hypnotherapist over the past 3 months along with my drug councillor. I was not really letting my drug worker in when I mentioned to him that I had been reading NLP for dummies and NLP workbook by Joseph O'Connor and was finding it all interesting and extremely relevant to my situation. He then told me he practises a little NLP and tried some breaking anchor techniques but also thought hypnotherapy would help me. I have been to 4 sessions and explained the situation to the therapist who is also a NLP practitioner. Over the 4 sessions we worked on trance work but did not address any issues apart for relaxation techniques. I feel that they helped but I am only on the edge of discovering a tool to help me address my addiction. So if anyone could forward and good practitioners in the Birmingham area I would be grateful.

G

Hi Glenn

captain wrote:

I feel that they helped but I am only on the edge of discovering a tool to help me address my addiction. So if anyone could forward and good practitioners in the Birmingham area I would be grateful.

G

I strongly agree with you when you say you may be on the cusp of finding a new and helpful approach, but then I would as I worked with drug services and NLP for many years, (rehab and community).

Unfortunately I do not know anyone directly in the Birmingham area to recommend. Have you tried the search function here on NLPC ? Alternatively you might approach UKHRA for that kind of information. They might be able to point you in a useful direction. Here's the link,

UKHRA - The UK Harm Reduction Alliance

In a general sense, I think a lot of the language of drug treatment (and indeed drug use) is not readily NLP friendly, if "coming off" and "not using" are among your goals. Just formulating well formed outcomes can be elusive enough...and that's just for starters.

Which techniques are going to work best for you and at what time is impossible to say by web forum, I feel. However, it is not really about the individual applications, it is about the overall orientation and approach that I would encourage you to continue to develop as a head space.

I am more than happy however to suggest a few pointers if you wish, as in hopefully helpful suggestions if you are truly stuck. My advice would be however, as you suggest, to find a sound NLP Practitioner that you see face to face.

One final point for now....remember that many long term habitualised behaviours (addictions if you like) run their course and just finish, well sometimes at least.

In the meantime, stay well and good luck with what you are trying to do.

Regards

MH

MH
I think I understand but my aims to not use have formed part of me for the past 20 years with limited success. The NLP has helped me greatly in the business world and has opened many doors hence why I what to learn more. But I am convinced that my internal battle, the good and bad sat on my shoulders is conscious and unconscious trying to sort it out. This is were I need some pointers please.

Thanks
G

Hi Glenn,

captain wrote:

MH
I think I understand but my aims to not use have formed part of me for the past 20 years with limited success............ But I am convinced that my internal battle, the good and bad sat on my shoulders is conscious and unconscious trying to sort it out. This is were I need some pointers please.

Start with some well formed outcomes around what you want to achieve with respect to substance using behaviour.

Can I ask you,

• How much NLP you are familiar with ?
• What have you previously helped yourself gain greater control over the issues in hand ?
• Do you already keep a journal ? If not, would you ?
• What would be prepared to change to address this problem ?
• What would you not be prepared to change ?
• What do you make of the advice you have already had from other people ?

20 years is a long time to be internal conflict. If your conscious mind could work out the drives you have from the unconscious, would it not have done so by now ? Its time to do somethings differently perhaps.

Are you any closer to finding an NLP person in your area ?

Regards

MH