EMDR therapy and addiction treatment
EMDR therapy is a well-known form of trauma therapy or PTSD treatment, but the use of this model does not end there. We previously discussed several other areas of mental health concern that EMDR therapy is an effective treatment for (click here to read that post), and today we are going to take a deeper dive into EMDR therapy as a form of addiction counseling or intervention for substance use disorders.
Background. So let’s start with a bit of background information on EMDR therapy. EMDR therapy works with the manner in which the brain processes and experiences events, stores memories, and utilizes those experiences to respond to present-day circumstances.
In traditional EMDR therapy, focused on traumatic responses, the goal of EMDR therapy is to reduce the level of distress associated with an experience, which in turn helps to resolve and reduce many of the trauma related symptoms.
So how can EMDR therapy be applied in addiction counseling or treatment of substance use disorders? When using EMDR therapy in addiction counseling or in the treatment of substance use disorders, there is actually a two-part process that takes place.
The first part involves reducing the urges associated with addictive behavior or substance use. The second part involves addressing any underlying trauma, negative experience, or emotional distress that may be contributing to the continuation of the addictive behavior. So let’s explore both of these components of EMDR therapy with addiction and substance use disorders a bit further.
Part one: reducing the associated urge. In every addiction, there is some positive element, sensation, feeling, etc. that is associated with the behavior. This is the basis for addiction. They are functional in someway. When addressing EMDR therapy and addiction counseling, EMDR therapist work with clients to identify what positive elements are associated with the addictive behavior, and work to decrease the level of positivity, or a “positive feeling state“ associated with the addictive behavior.
In summary, where trauma processing works to decrease the distressing feelings associated with a memory or action, urge reduction works to decrease the positive feeling state associated with the action or behavior. Once clients are able to disconnect this positive feeling state from the addictive behavior, very commonly urges will start to reduce.
Part two: processing and resolving underlying trauma, emotional distress, or negative life experiences. This is where EMDR therapy related to addiction counseling and substance use disorder treatment looks very similar to more traditional trauma therapy or PTSD treatment. Once the positive component of the addictive behavior is reduced or resolved, we are able to address the underlying negative, distressing, or potentially traumatic contact. These are the things individuals are often trying to escape or avoid by using the addiction as a way out of this distress.
Part two of EMDR therapy with addiction involves reducing the distress that the individual is experiencing, so that these negative experiences, distressing emotions, and trauma exposures are no longer causing significant distress that the individual needs to escape from.
If you are struggling with addiction or substance use disorders, and are curious if EMDR therapy may be the right fit for you, we encourage you to reach out to an EMDR therapist in your area to discuss how this intervention may be able to assist you in your addiction recovery journey. Click here to find an EMDR therapist in your area.
Are you located in the DFW area, near Arlington, Mansfield, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, or Dallas and looking for local counseling group to connect with? Or are you a Texas resident that is interested in utilizing online therapy services as a part of your addiction therapy journey? Click here to meet our team members, learn more about the counseling services offered, and take the next step to book an appointment. We would be honored to partner with you on your addiction recovery journey or any other mental health related concerns that you may have.
