Exploring EMDR Therapy for Trauma and Addiction

Addiction is a complex condition, often deeply rooted in past trauma. 

It’s not just about the addiction to substances; it also involves the emotional-psychological pieces that make people use. 

One of such factors is trauma. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy comes into play in treating this trauma.

Keep reading to learn more about EMDR therapy for trauma and how it can help clients overcome trauma and addiction.

What is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR was created as a psychotherapy technique for treating traumatic memories associated with emotional distress. 

The client’s eye movements are used to weaken already-charged memories of traumatic events experienced in the past.

The 8 Steps of EMDR Therapy

There are eight steps involved in EMDR therapy:

• Information gathering: A therapist can get details about a client’s personal history and any trauma they have encountered.
• Preparation: The counselor briefs the person on the process and helps them acquire skills in managing emotional pain.
• Assessing: Specific targets will be identified by the examining professional, including but not limited to triggering factors or traumatic flashbacks.
• Desensitization:  Using rapid eye movement, bilateral stimulation, or other techniques, therapists guide clients through re-experiencing their traumatic memories while concentrating on an external stimulus.
• Installation: The therapist supports clients in strengthening positive beliefs and emotions toward the targeted memory.
• Body scan: The therapist checks for any body tension left behind after treatment.
• Closure: By the time each session ends, the therapist ensures that the client is emotionally stabilized before ending the session.
• Reassessment: Progress made by the client can be re-evaluated as therapists determine other goals for the subsequent sessions.

EDMR Therapy for Trauma

Traumatic experiences leave permanent marks on life, hence leading one to anxiety, depression, and addiction problems. 

Through this therapy, people can deal with these traumatic situations, resulting in reduced psychological effects related to them.

This treatment allows healing emotional wounds by stimulating the brain’s natural adaptive information processing mechanism. 

The aim is not to forget the traumatic event but to remember it without being distressed.

EMDR Dual Diagnosis Therapy

Dual diagnosis refers to when a client experiences both a mental health condition and substance use disorder. EMDR therapy can be beneficial in such cases.

This goes beyond tackling addiction as well as the trauma or mental health problem that underlies it.

It helps people learn better ways of dealing with life situations, hence reducing the need for them to use drugs as a way of escaping or self-medicating.

Addiction Treatment with EMDR Therapy

Pain-numbing or self-soothing attempts often lead to addiction. Through this method, people with an addiction can face their feelings and understand their past.

Through EMDR therapy, people with a substance use disorder can break free from addiction cycles. 

They get insights into what led them into drug abuse and how they can cope with stress and pain in more meaningful ways compared to drug usage. 

This program can be transformative since, in most cases, it gives back authority over one’s destiny and also starts the recovery process.

Benefits of EMDR Therapy

The benefits of EMDR therapy for addiction treatment include:

• Lessened yearning
• Better self-worth
• Improved emotional control
• Greater ability to cope with stress
• Recover from unhealed trauma

The Healing Pines Recovery Approach

At Healing Pines Recovery, we know how closely linked addiction is with trauma. 

Within our men’s-only residential rehab facility, our comprehensive treatment plans include EMDR therapy based on an individualized approach for each client.

We also use other evidence-based, holistic treatment options like nature-based outdoor experiential treatment and physical fitness to address the whole person. 

All these programs collaborate to heal each individual both physically and emotionally.

Begin the Journey to Recovery Now with EMDR Therapy for Trauma at Healing Pines 

Anyone who is floundering with substance abuse or addiction due to trauma should know that help is available. 

EMDR therapy may be what you need to get out of your situation and start on the path to recovery.

Don’t allow past hurts to stand as a stumbling block to your future. Contact Healing Pines Recovery today for more information about our EMDR therapy for trauma and discover how it can help you overcome addiction and get back on track.