Clinical Trial Compares Behavioral Intervention and Ericksonian Hypnotherapy for Alcohol Use Disorder

A recent clinical study published in Nature Health Sciences explored the effectiveness of structured psychological therapies for individuals dealing with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Researchers conducted a three-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial involving 90 adult participants who met the diagnostic criteria for AUD under DSM-5 guidelines. The trial compared Combined Behavioral Intervention (CBI) against Ericksonian Hypnotherapy (EH) and a psychoeducational control condition, with both active treatments administered individually across 12 weekly sessions.

The study measured primary outcomes using Timeline Follow-Back indices to track drinking days, heavy drinking days, and the average number of drinks consumed per drinking day over preceding 30-day periods. Secondary and exploratory outcomes encompassed psychological factors such as craving, symptoms of anxiety and depression, overall quality of life, and readiness for behavioral change. Authors noted that both active interventions led to significantly greater progress than the control group across all primary and exploratory domains, displaying moderate-to-large effect sizes.

While the trial demonstrated clear benefits of structured psychotherapy for AUD management, direct comparisons between CBI and EH yielded mixed results. Exploratory contrasts favored Ericksonian Hypnotherapy regarding anxiety severity, obsessive craving, and craving-related cognitions, though these comparisons were not statistically powered beforehand and remain preliminary. Furthermore, the absence of a statistically significant difference between the two active treatments on general alcohol consumption should not be construed as proof of equivalence. Readers should consult qualified medical professionals regarding personal health choices and treatment decisions.

• What to know: A 12-week trial involving 90 participants examined structured therapies for alcohol use disorder.
• Both Combined Behavioral Intervention and Ericksonian Hypnotherapy outperformed the control condition.
• Preliminary findings suggest hypnotherapy may help reduce craving and anxiety, though more research is required.