More Peace and Calm After Alcohol Use Disorder Support

Client Profile

• Name: Lerato (pseudonym)
• Age: 36
• Location: Pretoria, Gauteng
• Occupation: HR Consultant
• Condition: Alcohol Use Disorder (mild–moderate)

Presenting Problem

Lerato reported:

• Drinking wine most evenings (4–5 nights/week)
• Using alcohol to decompress after work stress
• Feeling mentally overwhelmed and emotionally drained
• Difficulty switching off without alcohol
• Growing concern about dependency

Program Used

• 4-week structured hypnotherapy program (8 sessions)
• Built on: Awareness and interruption Craving reduction Emotional regulation Identity shift

Physical Dependence

• Mild withdrawal (restlessness, disrupted sleep)
• Nervous system calming

Psychological Dependence (Primary)

• Stress → alcohol association
• Evening routine trigger
• Emotional coping reliance

Week 1: Awareness & Interruption

• Recognised automatic pouring habit after work
• Introduced first pause before drinking
• Reduced to 3 drinking nights
• Increased awareness of triggers

Week 2: Craving Reduction

• Cravings present but less urgent
• Successfully skipped multiple drinking occasions
• Replaced evening drink with herbal tea routine
• Improved sleep onset

Week 3: Emotional Regulation

• Reduced reliance on alcohol for stress
• More emotionally stable
• Clearer thinking
• Less emotional reactivity

Week 4: Identity Shift & Integration

• Drinking reduced to 1–2 times socially only
• No longer part of daily routine
• Consistent calm evenings
• Increased confidence and self-control

Physical

• Better sleep quality
• Reduced fatigue
• Lower physical urge

Psychological

• Significant reduction in cravings
• Increased emotional resilience
• Reduced stress levels

Behavioral

• Broke automatic evening drinking habit
• Established new calming routines
• Greater control in social settings

WHY THIS CASE WORKED

• Targeted the evening trigger loop
• Replaced alcohol as a stress response
• Reduced internal desire—not just behavior
• Built new, calming habits

CLINICAL INSIGHT

This case highlights:

• Alcohol use tied to routine + stress responds well to hypnotherapy
• The shift from “coping with alcohol” → “coping without it” is critical
• Calm can be learned and internalised