Many studies have highlighted the link between trauma and substance dependency.
For those that have suffered traumatic experiences, it is not uncommon for symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to emerge.
Symptoms can include:
As a result, many people turn to substances as coping mechanisms and addiction can quickly emerge.
Clinicians have noted that many people that suffer from PTSD and addiction find it hard to overcome substance dependency without PTSD interventions.
Not addressing trauma reduces the likelihood of a successful recovery.
Therefore, it has become imperative that rehab centrss implement trauma recovery to help overcome substance dependency. (1)
One such therapy that aims to do this is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
This article will discuss EMDR, explain what it is, how it works, and what its benefits are.
EMDR seeks to address the trauma that is embedded in the brain and that has not yet been fully processed by the individual.
Underpinning EMDR’s theoretical approach is the concept that, to engage with the world, people integrate present information with existing memory networks.
As research on PTSD has shown, unprocessed experiences often lead to cognitive, emotional, and behavioural abnormalities.
When that person experiences stress, for example, their ability to process information in a positive manner is prevented because of traumatic experiences that are left unaddressed within memory networks.
Because of this, emotions, thoughts, and even sensory experiences connected to traumatic events remain unchanged.
These traumatic events can be triggered in the present and can negatively influence healthy coping mechanisms – in other words, the past becomes the present.
EMDR addresses these underlying memory networks by using bilateral and/or focused stimulation.
What this means, is that patients will undergo a series of visual or audio stimulations whilst recalling traumatic experiences.
The underlying mechanism of how this works is still not fully understood.
However, it has been theorised that it produces the same restorative processing as Rapid Eye Movement (REM) whilst sleeping. (2)
There are eight specific phases to EMDR treatment. These are:
During the first phase, patients will discuss with their therapist their reasons for undergoing EMDR and the patient’s history.
This will include talking about EMDR generally and how it might be optimised for the patient.
This will then lead to a treatment plan being developed. This will centre on the specific traumatic experiences that will be addressed during the treatment.
The second phase seeks to best prepare the patient for EMDR therapy.
During this phase, the therapist will go into detail about what EMDR will involve and what the patient should expect from it.
This phase also allows the therapist to prepare an EMDR treatment that best suits the patient’s needs.
Phase 3 focuses on assessment. Here, the patient and therapist will identify the events that need to be reprocessed.
It will assess emotions, sensations, and beliefs surrounding the traumatic experience.
The therapist will also take baseline measures using, for example, the Validity of Cognition (VOC) and Units of Disturbance (UOD) scales.
Phase 4 is the desensitisation phase. This is when the patient will begin the stimulation treatment.
Patients will experience certain stimulations, such as taps, sounds, or side-to-side eye movements, whilst recalling the traumatic event.
Phase 5 focuses on installation. The idea behind this phase is to encourage the patient to begin to associate positive beliefs with the traumatic event.
During phase 6, the patient will think about both the traumatic event and your newly formed positive beliefs.
Whilst doing this, they will determine if there are any further bodily triggers.
The seventh phase is the closure phase. During this phase, the patient is made to return to the present moment.
The patient is assisted in relieving stress associated with the reprocessing experience and when achieved, the EMDR session is complete.
Finally, phase 8 focuses on re-evaluation.
The patient and the therapist will discuss the reprocessing experience and then decide upon future treatments and methods. (3)
To learn more about the specific process of EMDR therapy, give our team a call for free on 0800 140 4690
Overcoming and recovering from substance dependency requires individuals to accomplish several tasks: become motivated, achieve abstinence, prevent relapse and maintain sobriety, and in this case address past trauma.
EMDR has proven successful in helping with each of these difficult tasks.
As discussed, EMDR is a reprocessing therapy that aims to tackle past experiences that lead to dysfunctional emotions, thoughts, and behaviours – this includes substance dependency.
EMDR helps those with substance dependency positively reframe these negative dysfunctions, which helps to address and minimise potential triggers.
An example of this is the Safe Place exercise commonly used during the preparation phase.
During the exercise, the therapist will help the patient to use positive imagery to engender positive emotions.
Positive emotions have been found to have a direct correlation with stability and recovery success, and can lead to increased stabilisation.
EMDR has also helped those suffering from substance dependency to develop healthy coping mechanisms, such as reappraisal, emotional management, trigger recognition, and controlling substance desires.
The most common use of EMDR therapy for addressing substance dependency, however, is that it helps to overcome past traumatic events.
EMDR focuses on addressing and reprocessing events that might lead to or trigger the use of substances.
Triggers might include people, places, experiences or behaviours – EMDR seeks to process these triggers and develop in the patient positive skills and behaviours.
Studies have found that EMDR can effectively counter the use of substances as a coping mechanism for PTSD. (4)
There are currently no known negative side effects of EMDR.
EMDR is, however, an emotionally difficult experience and experts recommend that most patients are in a relatively stable condition before starting treatment.
Therefore, it might not be a suitable treatment for those suffering from substance dependency.
Medical professionals will offer an assessment and decide if it is the right option.
However, certain aspects of EMDR might be implemented without intense traumatic experience reprocessing.
Further to this, it is still a relatively new therapy treatment and there is some debate amongst medical professionals regarding its efficacy.
Experts are not 100% certain why and how EMDR works.
Therefore, its usefulness for treating addiction is still under empirical investigation. (5)
Other treatments, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or psychotherapy, are better established and might be more suitable for those with a substance dependency.
For more information about different therapies for substance dependency, talk to our team of experts on 0800 140 4690
EMDR is available via both private rehabilitation facilities and through the NHS.
For the former, it is recommended that individuals search for a nearby facility and contact them for an assessment.
Private facilities, however, can be expensive – ranging from several hundred to several thousand pounds.
Many NHS therapists offer EMDR. To access EMDR through the NHS, individuals are advised to first speak with their General Practitioner.
The GP will be able to assess needs and, if EMDR seems like the best option, will make a referral.
More information about NHS therapy options can be found here.
The GP might also be able to make a referral to a local therapist.
Finally, if an individual has experienced a traumatic event, such as a terrorist attack or a natural disaster, EMDR is free through several specialised individuals or organizations.
If you are suffering from addiction related to trauma and believe that you need the help of a drug and alcohol rehab, call us today on 0800 140 4690
(1) Volpicelli, Joseph, Geetha Balaraman, Julie Hahn, Heather Wallace, and Donald Bux. “The role of uncontrollable trauma in the development of PTSD and alcohol addiction.” Alcohol Research & Health 23, no. 4 (1999): 256.
(2) Ursano, Robert J., Carl Bell, Spencer Eth, Matthew Friedman, Ann Norwood, Betty Pfefferbaum, J. D. Pynoos et al. “Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with acute stress disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder.” Am J Psychiatry 161, no. 11 Suppl (2004): 3-31.
(3) Shapiro, Francine. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy: Basic principles, protocols, and procedures. Guilford Publications, 2017.
(4) Markus, Wiebren, and Hellen K. Hornsveld. “EMDR interventions in addiction.” Journal of EMDR Practice and Research (2017).
(5) DeBell, Camille, and R. Deniece Jones. “As good as it seems? A review of EMDR experimental research.” Professional Psychology: Research and Practice 28, no. 2 (1997): 153.
Boris is our editor-in-chief at Rehab 4 Addiction. Boris is an addiction expert with more than 20 years in the field. His expertise covers a broad of topics relating to addiction, rehab and recovery. Boris is an addiction therapist and assists in the alcohol detox and rehab process. Boris has been featured on a variety of websites, including the BBC, Verywell Mind and Healthline. You can connect with Boris online at LinkedIn or X.com.
