Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) for Substance Abuse Recovery

What Is EMDR Therapy?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an effective psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from trauma (or traumatic experiences) and other distressing life experiences. These include:

EMDR therapy is a non-invasive trauma treatment that doesn’t require continually retraumatizing to achieve results. EMDR therapy could be a game-changer if a person is struggling with trauma symptoms and hasn’t found relief from traditional approaches to trauma resolution.

Addiction Treatment Girl

How Does EMDR Therapy Work?

EMDR works on past trauma by focusing on the neural networks in the brain behind a traumatic memory. EMDR therapy draws on the brain’s natural ability to heal from difficult experiences. It doesn’t eliminate the traumatic memory, but it can ease the distress and arousal that accompanies the traumatic memory. This works through rhythmic eye movements and bilateral stimulation of the eyes. When rapid eye movements are engaged, they keep a person more grounded in the present. In this state of mind, a person is able to reprocess the trauma from a point of emotional safety. The mind, and subsequently the body, realizes it is not in the past re-experiencing the event, giving the space to attach more realistic, empowering, and positive beliefs to the trauma. 

Contact Ethan Crossing For Addiction Treatment Services

Who Can Benefit From EMDR Therapy?

EMDR is a relatively new therapy and research is still in its infancy, but the limited number of studies so far show promising indicators for treatment in the following:

  • Substance abuse
  • Eating disorders
  • Sex addiction
  • Acute mental illness
  • Chronic pain
  • Anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias
  • Chronic Illness and medical issues
  • Depression and bipolar disorders
  • Dissociative disorders
  • Eating disorders
  • Grief and loss
  • Pain
  • Performance anxiety
  • Personality disorders
  • PTSD and other trauma and stress-related issues
  • Sexual assault
  • Sleep disturbance
  • Substance abuse and addiction
  • Violence and abuse

For most of these conditions, the benefit lies in the relief EMDR can provide for underlying issues of trauma that can fuel compulsive and unhealthy coping behaviors.

Get Help Today

Reaching Out For Help Is The First Step To Recovery

Is EMDR Useful In Addiction Treatment?

The use of EMDR in addiction treatment results in the fact that a lot of addiction is tied to a past trauma. The belief is by treating this trauma, the person suffering from addiction will have less of a compulsion towards substances

There are 8 phases of treatment. 

  • Phase 1 includes identifying emotional distress; 
  • phase 2 consists of imagery and more stress-reduction techniques; 
  • phases 3 through 6 have the patient identify negative self-beliefs, describe vivid visuals and related emotions to the trauma; 
  • phases 7 and 8, the patient seeks self-calming techniques and the therapist examines the patient’s progress.

Therapists using EMDR therapy approach a patient’s addiction from a trauma-informed perspective. This allows them to examine each case as an individual and look at the root cause and contributing factors to each person’s addiction. Because of this, EMDR is able to play a central role in addiction treatment. Many people who suffer from substance use disorders have diagnosable PTSD. This makes EMDR as a front-line therapy a logical choice that can greatly help a patient and reduce their risk of relapse.

 

Find Treatment Near You

Multiple Locations to Get Started in Recovery

Get Help Today

More and more, people aren’t becoming exposed to addictive substances as a result of deliberately seeking them due to some kind of traumatic experience, rather than becoming addicted due to a physical injury that requires them to take opioid medication. While EMDR may not be helpful in treating them in this case, they can still benefit from it if they are dealing with something called an addiction memory.

Our Continuum Of Care

First Step
Individual Assessment
It is helpful to know when you or a loved one should seek treatment for addiction at an addiction treatment center. Of course, you cannot know when it’s time to seek treatment unless you know what signs to look for.
First Step
The Road To Recovery
Medical Detox
Medical detox is a supervised detoxification program. A medical team is present 24/7 to help someone manage their withdrawal symptoms and monitor their physical and emotional health. Many substances lead to a dangerous detox so our medical teams are prepared to handle emergencies. Medications are administered to alleviate symptoms and keep someone from having an emergency.
The Road To Recovery
Continue Recovery
Residential
Upon successful completion of detox, many people move into residential care. This is when people use therapies to get to the root of their problem and help them heal. This includes private psychotherapy and group therapy. We teach them new coping skills and essentially prepare them for life outside of a rehab setting.
Continue Recovery
Flexible Options
Partial Hospitalization (PHP)
For some people, the next step is partial hospitalization. This is where they spend the day at our facility and partake in our therapies and groups. We continue helping them with coping skills and healing from past issues. We also work on aftercare planning for when they no longer need to be in a facility. Each night, the person goes home and each morning they are submitted to a substance screening.
Flexible Options
Personalized Support
Intensive Outpatient (IOP)
Intensive outpatient is for those who have left partial hospitalization and need a strong outpatient program. They come several times a week for group therapies, personal psychotherapy, and other support groups as needed. We also check in with them on how their new life is going and help them overcome issues that sometimes arise.
Personalized Support
Conveniently located
Outpatient
As a participant in our outpatient program at Ethan Crossing Recovery, you will receive care while still living at home. You will be able to meet your daily responsibilities while you are receiving treatment. Ideally, you will report each day for an individual therapy program, counseling, and support. In the evening, you will return home. This helps our patients maintain a good balance of therapy and their own personal lives. It also helps them to incorporate what they are learning in therapy in the real-life situations that they face every day.
Conveniently located
Post Recovery
Alumni
Once people have completed our programs, we have alumni care. Support groups continue to ensure that each person has a supportive network in their lives. This may be special events or a 12-step group.
Post Recovery
Contact Ethan Crossing For Addiction Treatment Services

Find a Drug or Alcohol Treatment Center

Finding a substance use treatment center is a bit tricky when you don’t know where to start. Contact us and we can walk you through our services and processes.