Comparing Combined Behavioral Intervention and Ericksonian Hypnotherapy for Alcohol Addiction

Summary

This clinical study is being conducted to compare the effectiveness of two psychological treatments for alcohol addiction: Combined Behavioral Intervention (CBI) and Ericksonian Hypnotherapy (EH). The purpose of the study is to determine whether Ericksonian Hypnotherapy, a more personalized and indirect therapeutic method, is equal to or more effective than the gold-standard approach, Combined Behavioral Intervention, in helping individuals reduce their alcohol consumption and improve psychological well-being.

Alcohol addiction is a serious condition that affects mental, emotional, and physical health. Many treatment options exist, but not all individuals respond in the same way. This study aims to evaluate two different types of therapy in a structured way, to better understand which works best, for whom, and under what circumstances.

The study will include 90 adult participants diagnosed with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) a group receiving weekly sessions of Combined Behavioral Intervention, (2) a group receiving weekly sessions of Ericksonian Hypnotherapy, or (3) a control group receiving general educational materials about alcohol addiction. Treatment will last for 12 weeks, and all participants will be followed up three months after the last session to assess long-term effects.

Throughout the study, researchers will measure changes in alcohol consumption, alcohol craving, mental health symptoms (such as depression and anxiety), quality of life, and motivation to change. The findings of this study may help improve the way alcohol addiction is treated by offering evidence on alternative approaches such as hypnotherapy.

Conditions

• Alcohol-Related Disorders
• Alcoholism
• Substance-related Disorders

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Combined Behavioral Intervention

The intervention includes 12 weekly sessions integrating Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and relapse prevention strategies. Techniques include enhancing motivation to change, identifying cognitive distortions, managing high-risk situations, and developing alternative coping strategies.

BEHAVIORAL

Ericksonian Hypnotherapy

This therapy includes 12 weekly sessions involving individualized trance induction, indirect suggestion, therapeutic metaphor, and ego-strengthening techniques. The sessions follow Ericksonian principles and are delivered by certified hypnotherapists.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istanbul Nisantasi University

  collaborator OTHER

• Uskudar University

  collaborator OTHER

• Beykoz University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Gökben Hızlı Sayar, Prof · Üsküdar University

• Selami Varol Ülker, Phd · Üsküdar University

• Metin Çınaroğlu, Phd · Istanbul Nisantasi University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-03-01

Primary Completion

2025-11-15

Completion

2026-02-01

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations