Paper Title
Effectiveness of Hypnotherapy in Treating Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and Controlling Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms (OWS): A Clinical Case Study

Abstract
Addiction to substances, especially opioid use disorder (OUD), is a problematic pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment. Discontinuation and abstinence from opioids are the leading causes of opioid withdrawal symptoms (OWS), associated with physiological and psychological signs and symptoms. Particularly, intrusive thoughts and the urge to consume can encourage clients to relapse in the early days after opioid abstinence. Thus, effective treatment of OWS is a crucial first step on the pathway to successful OUD treatment. To prevent relapse, medications to treat opioid use disorder are employed, including Methadone, Buprenorphine, and Naltrexone therapy. In some cases, for individuals who cannot be treated with medicine due to medical conditions, hypnotherapy can be used as an alternative approach to pharmacological treatment. In this case report, due to liver disease, hypnotherapy was delivered during continuous meetings. Through progressive muscular relaxation, standard deepening techniques, and post-hypnotic suggestions, cravings for consumption and intrusive thoughts decreased. For therapeutic assessments, the client was asked to rate how effective hypnotherapy was in reducing repetitive thoughts and the desire to consume opioids on a scale of 1–100. The therapeutic gains were maintained at six-month follow-ups. The magnitude of effectiveness was comparable to other pharmacological treatments and gave us hope that hypnotherapy can be considered an alternative method to approach OUD and OWS. Keywords - Addiction, Hypnosis, Opioid Use Disorder, Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms, Relaxation