Since 2005, I have been helping women with my hypnotherapy techniques to drink less alcohol. When I started my career in hypnotherapy, I didn't expect to be working with alcohol reduction. But, early on I realised that women were drinking more alcohol than they wanted. And so began my journey to help women by incorporating hypnosis alcohol reduction as part of their therapy session. Gradually word got around that I had the solution to help women reduce their drinking. Streams of women began flooding through my hypnotherapy clinic doors.
Dealing with the issues of why women drink
The hypnotherapy alcohol sessions, offered women a dedicated and safe-space to discuss their challenges and talk about their alcohol drinking. By tailoring each hypnotherapy appointment; to break the drinking habit and by dealing with the issues behind the drinking; women were being set free. My work changed the subconscious beliefs in the deep part of their minds. My job was becoming ever more rewarding as I saw endless women take back control of their relationship with alcohol. Over and over I discovered that the stresses in women's lives were causing them to drink.
More women asking for help with alcohol hypnosis
It was clear at this stage which path my career was going down. Day in day out I was helping more women to change their alcohol intake. By now I was becoming known as the hypnotherapy alcohol reduction therapist. In the early days, my clinic was a small room in my house. But as time went on I rented a room in a clinic and began to offer phone appointments. My clients were now finding my services from all over the Uk and from other countries around the world.
Approximately 70% of clients are women aged thirty and upwards, but the vast majority are in their forties and fifties. I think more women are drinking than before, but I don't think women drink more than men. It is more likely
Why do women drink a glass of wine as a reward
In my experience, I find there are quite a few reasons why women drink. For working women with relatively young or teenage children usually, they drink due to the pressure of juggling everything. Women regularly have difficulty with at least one family member, problems in their marriage or issues with a personal partner. It is common for mothers to find parenting a considerable strain. Relationship issues added to work demands and financial worries can create unbearable stress.
Women's lives are taking their toll
Reaching for a large glass of wine can seem like a good option. Wine becomes an alternative to sorting out the problems in your life. Ignoring the household friction or your feelings and needs takes a toll. Gradually one glass becomes two. Then two glasses become a whole bottle. Alcohol becomes a comfort like a reliable friend. Before you know it you have begun to lose yourself. As women naturally are nurturers they have no boundaries of knowing when to stop giving. Family, house chores and work take over. By now you are in so deep you don't even know how to run your life. Alcohol has become a quick way to switch off - my time - my escape - my reward. And an alcoholic drink helps women to sleep even though they are already exhausted.
Stay at home mum stress
For some women, the strain of parenting is because they are staying at home. For now, they have put their career on hold. They worked so hard to get a job which it turns out doesn't fit their family needs. Guilt feelings set in. Should you be working? Is it right you are a stay at home mum? What message does this give your children? Would being a working mum inspire your daughters? Will your son think women should stay at home? What do your friends think of you? Does your mother-in-law judge you for not contributing? The repetitive thoughts in your head dissolve with a glass of wine. So it's good to drink. Right? Everyone else drinks. It is normal or least it seems this way.
Drinking alcohol makes women feel worse
Slowly you feel worse when you drink. You may be affected by a hangover in the morning. In the beginning, you may have used alcohol to help you to get you to sleep, but now the effects of drinking break your sleep. But you can't break free from the cycle of alcohol drinking. You feel trapped. Drinkers also worry about their health and the effects their drinking is having on their already volatile relationships.
It is easy to have a drink
Then there is drinking more alcohol because you are bored or lonely. The kids are in bed. Perhaps you are single, or your partner is busy, and you feel alone and may as well be single. Then there are the women who don't have children, so they give their all to work. Drinking is part of their work culture. Alcohol is part of the job. And drinking is fun.
The kids have grown up and flown the nest which has left you with an emptiness in their life. There is a void that needs filling. What will you do to fill your time or to make something of yourself and career? The workplace has moved on in the last ten to twenty years. You can no longer hide behind the achievements of your children as the spotlight is now on you. What are you are doing? You might enjoy your freedom since your family have moved on or you may be retired meaning you can have a drink now as you don't need to get up early tomorrow. A drink fills the gap of whatever is going on.
Drinking has crept up over time
For some women, drinking has just crept up over time, and it has become a habit. You have always had wine or gin to celebrate or commiserate. The drink is a way of life. Life would be boring without alcohol. Everyone drinks. Your life revolves around drinking. You don't remember a time when alcohol wasn't part of your life. But alcohol is addictive, so there is that element too. When you do try to slow down, reduce or stop drinking you find it is not easy.
How can women break the cycle of drinking
Women's lives are constantly changing, and every woman is different. What is needed is to manage problems as they arise whatever your circumstances. Hypnotherapy offers support to help transform your mindset to steer your life in the best direction for you. One-to-one sessions or hypnosis downloads help to overcome challenges and break the habit of drinking too much. Hypnotherapy works by releasing cravings and adjusting your relationship with alcohol on a subconscious level so that alcohol becomes less attractive. By improving confidence, relationships, finances and career, you can create a brighter future while being in control of your drinking. Anything is possible with the right mindset. Letting go of alcohol is
You can find out more about one-to-one alcohol hypnotherapy phone appointments with Ailsa Frank or the hypnosis download Stop binge drinking for women Read the addictions chapter of my book Cut the Crap and Feel Amazing published by Hay House
