EMDR for Addiction

Trauma can often lead to maladaptive coping mechanisms, such as addiction, as individuals may turn to substances to cope with painful memories or emotions. EMDR therapy helps by identifying and targeting these traumatic experiences, reprocessing them through a different lens, and helping the patient gain a better understanding of the root causes of their addiction and begin to develop healthier coping strategies.

Research has shown that EMDR can be an effective treatment for addiction, particularly when used in combination with other therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical  behavioral therapy (DBT), medication-assisted therapy (MAT), and holistic therapies.

EMDR can help individuals reduce cravings, address underlying history of trauma, and develop more effective coping strategies to prevent relapse.

EMDR sessions are not an in-and-out process where the patient immediately jumps into treatment. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing can be intense and requires the participant to be mentally and emotionally prepared.

If your substance abuse treatment plan includes EMDR, this is what you can expect:

Assessment
First, the therapist will complete a comprehensive assessment of the patient’s history and symptoms to determine if the use of EMDR is appropriate. The clinician will also explain the process of EMDR and answer any questions.

Skills Development
Before starting EMDR, the therapist guides the patient in developing coping skills and relaxation techniques to use during the session. These techniques can include deep breathing, mindfulness, and progressive muscle relaxation.

Target Identification
The therapist and client work together to identify a specific traumatic event or experience that the client wants to target during the EMDR session. This can include past experiences that may be contributing to current symptoms or current events that cause emotional distress and tempt relapse.

Following detox, EMDR may be used in several levels of care, including during partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, outpatient, and dual diagnosis programs.

The EMDR Process: (Desensitization & Reprocessing Phases)
During the desensitization phase, the client is asked to focus on the traumatic memory while also engaging in bilateral stimulation. This can involve following the therapist’s hand movements or the therapist playing different tones that alternate between the client’s left and right ears.

The reprocessing phase involves replacing negative beliefs and feelings associated with the traumatic memory with more positive, adaptive ones. The EMDR therapist may ask the client to imagine a more optimal resolution or use affirmations to reinforce positive beliefs.

Closure
When the desensitization and reprocessing phases are complete, the therapist guides the client back to a state of relaxation and provides them with additional coping skills and resources to use post-treatment.

Processing past trauma can be a lot of emotional work, but the goal is to help the client process and overcome traumatic experiences in a safe and supportive environment. It is important that after an EMDR session, the patient has somewhere comfortable, safe,  and quiet to go as part of aftercare.