Father of two who was a ‘functional alcoholic’ reveals how hypnosis helped him overcome his addiction

A high-flying father of two who was an avowed “functional alcoholic” recounted how hypnosis helped him overcome his addiction and saved his life – and his marriage.

Hiring manager Gautam Raval, 42, of London, is reportedly returning 12 miniature bottles of Smirnoff vodka to spend his working day at the height of his battle with alcohol.

After a decade of heavy drinking, alcohol began to damage his internal organs, and Gautam was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis and had to visit the hospital frequently.

Doctors sternly warned him that if he did not seek help to help him quit smoking, he would die.

Hiring manager Gautam Raval, 42, of London, reportedly spills 12 miniature bottles of Smirnoff vodka to get through his workday at the height of his battle with alcohol (pictured left then and now)

Gautam, pictured with his wife Sheetal and two daughters, said the hypnotherapy sessions ultimately saved his life and his marriage.

It was the revival he needed and saw him seek help from Alcoholics Anonymous and prescribed medication. But when it became clear that the two were not suitable ways to help Gautam, his wife Sheetal, who suggested hypnotherapy.

Gautam booked a session with Aaron Surtees of City Hypnosis, who has treated an array of stars including Ant McPartlin, Montana Brown and Charlie Brooker, and credits the decision to saving his life.

Now sober for eight years, Gautam explains why Aaron’s method and treatment plan helped him overcome his addiction and ban alcohol from his life.

He told FEMAIL: “I had always enjoyed a drink and it was part of my routine for relaxing after work or socializing from 2000, when I moved to the United States for work.

“However, when I came back in 2005 and found myself with a recruiting job, that’s when the alcohol use escalated. Vodka has become my weapon of choice.

After a decade of heavy drinking, alcohol began to damage his internal organs and Gautam was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis and required frequent trips to the hospital (pictured before)

“The rewards for achieving the goals are huge in recruiting and on payday we would have gone out all expenses paid to fancy restaurants and bars where we celebrated.

“That’s when the alcohol use started and eventually turned into alcohol consumption at lunchtime every day of the work week.

“I have found that drinking helps eliminate everything that bothered me. Eventually it became normal for me to start drinking in the morning.

Gautam said he used to start his day with up to three miniature bottles of vodka before entering the office, then pouring two more at lunchtime.

He followed that up with two or three extra bottles after work and between two and four bottles when he got home.

Gautam said he used to start his day with up to three miniature bottles of vodka before entering the office, then sank two more at lunchtime (pictured left during his addiction and currently sober)

“I ate all day and consumed this amount of alcohol,” he recalls. “During all this time, I continued to work and I was successful in my job.

“I was never violent or aggressive because of my alcohol consumption, but I knew that I was not a good husband for my wife, whom I married in 2010.

“Over the years, I found myself increasingly angry and frustrated with myself as I hid the extent of my drinking from those close to me. I locked myself away from my family and my wife on weekends.

Gautam said he felt trapped “like a hamster in a cage spinning around on a wheel,” caught in a vicious cycle.

Gautam, pictured with Peter Andre while drinking, said he felt trapped “like a hamster in a cage spinning around on a wheel,” caught in a vicious cycle

This continued for years until it all came to a head in 2013. He said, “At this point the pure vodka was starting to cause severe damage to my internal organs and I was diagnosed with pancreatitis. acute and I have been hospitalized several times.

“I knew I needed help and remember breaking down in tears at work, admitting I had a problem. That was the turning point and when I got home I told my wife the truth about my drinking and took the first big step in admitting that I needed help.

Gautam said he was “at the bottom of the chasm” when he visited Aaron’s cabinet, but was put at ease by Aaron’s “sweet and gentle tone”.

“The session continued in this way, Aaron just talking to me, relaxing my mind and body and asking me to take a trip through my mind,” he explained.

“I now know that is when Aaron plants positive messages in the subconscious.

Gautam said he was “at the bottom of the chasm” when he visited Aaron’s cabinet, but was put at ease by Aaron’s “sweet and gentle tone”. He has now taken up cycling

“At the end of the session, I remember feeling tired and fell asleep in the car – my wife was driving – on the way home. I remember not having felt like drinking for the first time in years after that first session and didn’t want to taste alcohol in my mouth.

Gautam had about six to seven sessions with Aaron and during the trance state he was put into, Aaron told him that he didn’t like the smell or taste of alcohol.

“I know it worked because after one particular session I found myself in the metro sitting next to someone who had been drinking and had to move out,” he recalls.

“Aaron was also helping me improve my well-being and my mental health, as I always felt optimistic after my sessions with him.

“After the sessions were over, I had children and bought a house. Eight years of sobriety have passed and I have never been so happy or satisfied.

“Aaron’s method was a gradual process rather than a quick fix and took a commitment and a desire to be successful, but I can honestly say it worked 100% for me.”

For more information on Aaron’s work, visit cityhypnosis.com