Peniston Protocol Technique

Positive mental stimulation has helped treatment efforts for alcohol addictions.

The Peniston Protocol technique involves the use of neurofeedback in teaching an alcoholic to no longer drink. Developed by Eugene Peniston and collaborator Paul Kulkosky in early 1990s, this therapeutic protocol uses desensitization, guided imagery and rhythmic breathing to stimulate certain brainwaves to cause the same relaxed state of mind as how alcohol stimulates the brain. Many practitioners have used this technique to prevent alcoholic relapse and to treat other psychoactive substance disorders.

Instructions

1. Provide neurofeedback by teaching the client to increase the amount of alpha and theta brainwaves. Have the client relax into a reclining chair. Offer the client a blanket to give a peaceful and secure environment.

2. Dim the lighting in the room or give the client a light-preventing mask. Place headphones on the client. Ask the client to close his eyes.

3. Play relaxing sounds through the headphones. The client will progress from a relaxed state into a dreamy and hypnogogic state (drowsiness before sleep when imagery appears). Ask the client to visualize pictures where the person refuses to have a drink or abstains from consuming alcohol. By stimulating alpha-theta brainwaves with mental and physical relaxation, the feelings of tension and anxiety that caused the client to abuse alcohol will decrease as will the temptation to drink.

References

• The American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress: The Peniston-Kulkosky Brainwave Neurofeedback Therapeutic Protocol;The Future Psychotherapy for Alcoholism/PTSD/Behavioral Medicine
• International Society for Neurofeedback and Research: Neurofeedback for Addictions:The State of the Science