Have you ever wondered about innovative approaches to treating trauma and addiction? EMDR therapy may be the answer you’re seeking. This powerful, evidence-based treatment has gained recognition for its effectiveness in addressing a wide range of mental health issues. As you explore options for recovery, understanding EMDR’s role in comprehensive treatment programs can be crucial. From substance use disorders to PTSD, EMDR offers a path to healing that integrates seamlessly with various levels of care. In this article, we’ll delve into how EMDR therapy fits into the continuum of treatment, from medical detox to aftercare, and why it’s becoming an essential component of lasting recovery for many individuals, including veterans.
Together, let’s embrace the journey to recovery and the promise of a new beginning. Call us at (833) 949-1347 today or reach out online.
What is EMDR Therapy?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a form of psychotherapy that helps individuals heal from emotional distress related to disturbing life experiences. According to the EMDR Institute, it is an evidence-based practice highly effective in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.
How Does EMDR Work?
During EMDR sessions, the therapist guides the client through bilateral eye movements while recalling traumatic memories. This dual attention facilitates the brain’s ability to process distressing events in an adaptive way. Over time, EMDR therapy helps reduce the distress associated with traumatic memories and enables more constructive perspectives.
Integrating EMDR into Treatment
At Evoke Wellness, EMDR therapy is often integrated into comprehensive treatment programs such as:
EMDR can be a powerful complement to other evidence-based approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). This integrative model helps address underlying trauma while developing coping skills for lasting recovery.
How EMDR Therapy Works
Eye Movement Integration
EMDR therapy facilitates your brain’s natural healing process by having you recall distressing life experiences while the therapist guides you through specific eye movements. This helps your brain process the memories and allows disturbing feelings to be resolved.
- Memories are stored in the brain with related thoughts, emotions and sensations
- EMDR processing allows the brain to adaptively integrate these memory elements
Adaptive Information Processing
EMDR is based on the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model. AIP proposes that disturbing life experiences can get locked in the brain with the original thoughts, images, emotions and sensations.
- This stores the memories in an emotionally-charged, unprocessed form
- EMDR targets the physiological information storage system to adaptively process these experiences
Dual Focus and Bilateral Stimulation
During EMDR, you’ll focus on the disturbing memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral sensory input like side-to-side eye movements. This dual focus activates the information processing system.
- Allows the memory to be processed and integrated properly
- Reduces distress from the original disturbing experience
The bilateral stimulation and dual focus components activate both hemispheres of your brain to collaborate. This facilitates adaptive processing and integration of the distressing memories.
Benefits of EMDR Therapy
Rapid Recovery
Comprehensive Treatment
- EMDR uniquely combines aspects of psychotherapy approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy with bilateral brain stimulation to facilitate the mind’s natural healing process. This integrative treatment comprehensively addresses the cognitive, emotional, and somatic impacts of trauma or adverse experiences.
- It promotes psychological healing by helping the brain reprocess distressing memories and restore equilibrium. According to the EMDR Institute, over 30 positive controlled outcome studies have been done on EMDR therapy.
Long-Lasting Relief
- Unlike some conventional talk therapies, EMDR does not merely teach coping techniques – it targets the root cause and neurobiological underpinnings of the issue. This produces deep, lasting psychotherapeutic effects beyond temporary symptom relief.
- By directly processing the trapped memories fueling current distress, EMDR allows individuals to gain resolution and move forward in their lives. Studies show an 84-90% success rate in treating emotional and behavioral issues stemming from disturbing life experiences.
EMDR Therapy Effectiveness
Overview & Benefits
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has emerged as a promising approach for treating substance use disorders (SUDs). This evidence-based psychotherapy targets the traumatic memories and conditions like PTSD that often underlie addiction. By reprocessing these distressing experiences, EMDR can reduce substance cravings, improve psychological symptoms, and promote lasting recovery.
Trauma-Focused Integration
EMDR is particularly effective when integrated with other trauma-focused and addiction-focused interventions. One pilot study found that combining EMDR with standard treatment led to significant improvements in post-traumatic, dissociative, and overall psychiatric symptoms among SUD patients compared to standard care alone. The trauma-informed approach helps individuals develop healthier coping strategies beyond substance use.
Diverse Applications
While further research is still needed, existing studies indicate EMDR’s potential for treating various addictions, including alcohol, gambling, opioids, and tobacco. It may also benefit individuals in specific populations, such as military personnel and veterans who have experienced trauma contributing to substance misuse. By addressing the root causes, EMDR can enhance the effectiveness of comprehensive treatment programs and reduce the risk of relapse.
Structured Approach
The EMDR process typically involves 8 phases, including history-taking, preparation, assessment, desensitization through bilateral stimulation (e.g., eye movements), installation of positive cognitions, body scanning, closure, and reevaluation. While generally safe, some reported side effects include vivid dreams, re-emergence of distressing memories, and emotional fluctuations, which are often temporary and part of the therapeutic process.
Who Should Get EMDR Therapy?
Trauma Survivors
- EMDR therapy is highly recommended for individuals who have experienced trauma, such as survivors of abuse, violence, accidents, or natural disasters.
- It effectively treats post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related issues by processing and resolving disturbing memories.
Mental Health Conditions
- EMDR therapy can benefit those struggling with anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and other mental health challenges rooted in past distressing events.
- It helps reprocess negative thought patterns and beliefs stemming from traumatic experiences.
Substance Use Disorders
- For those in recovery from substance use disorders, EMDR therapy addresses underlying trauma and emotional issues that may contribute to addictive behaviors.
- It supports healing by targeting the root causes of substance abuse and co-occurring mental health conditions.
Life Transitions and Stressors
- EMDR therapy can help individuals cope with significant life changes, losses, or stressful situations that trigger distressing thoughts and emotions.
- It facilitates the processing of difficult memories and experiences, promoting resilience and personal growth.
While EMDR therapy is widely recognized for treating trauma and PTSD, its applications extend to various mental health conditions and life challenges. By targeting the root causes of distress, it offers a powerful path to healing and recovery for those seeking lasting change.
Experiencing an EMDR Therapy Session
The Session Begins
As your EMDR therapy session commences, you find yourself in a calm, comfortable environment conducive to the treatment process. Your therapist guides you through various techniques to achieve the desired state of focused attention.
Revisiting the Trauma
Once relaxed, you’ll be asked to vividly recall a traumatic memory or distressing experience while simultaneously focusing on bilateral sensory input. This could involve tracking the therapist’s hand movements, listening to tones alternating between ears, or feeling tappers that vibrate in a rhythmic left-right pattern.
Processing the Memory
The back-and-forth eye movements or other bilateral stimulation help your brain to process the traumatic memory in a different way. Vivid images, thoughts, and associated emotions may emerge during this phase as your mind works to integrate and resolve the distressing experience.
Gaining New Perspectives
Throughout the session, your therapist will help guide your focus, allowing new insights and positive cognitions to surface naturally. The aim is to replace negative beliefs stemming from the trauma with more adaptive perspectives that foster resilience and post-traumatic growth.
The experience can be intense yet ultimately healing, helping individuals overcome the lingering effects of psychological trauma through the reprocessing of memories into a more resolved state. With repeated sessions, EMDR therapy empowers lasting recovery.
EMDR Therapy FAQs
What is EMDR Therapy?
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based psychotherapy approach used to treat trauma, PTSD, and other mental health issues. It involves a patient briefly focusing on traumatic memories while receiving bilateral sensory input, like side-to-side eye movements from the therapist.
How Does EMDR Work?
- The theory behind EMDR postulates that traumatic memories can get “stuck” in the brain, causing ongoing distress. EMDR helps process these memories adaptively, reducing their lingering impact.
Who Can Benefit From EMDR?
- EMDR is particularly effective for treating PTSD stemming from experiences like combat, sexual assault, childhood abuse, natural disasters, and more. However, it can also help with other conditions linked to disturbing life experiences, such as:
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
- Substance use disorders
- Eating disorders
How Long Does EMDR Take?
- The length of EMDR treatment depends on the individual’s history and issues being addressed. Some single-trauma cases may resolve in just a few sessions, while those with multiple or repeated traumas may require a longer course of therapy. Most patients experience significant relief within 6-12 sessions.
Is EMDR Safe?
- Yes, EMDR is considered a safe, effective trauma treatment when administered by a qualified, trained provider. Some temporary increased distress during sessions is normal as disturbing memories are processed. But the approach ultimately aims to desensitize and adaptively resolve traumatic experiences.
Conclusion
In conclusion, EMDR therapy offers a powerful, evidence-based approach for addressing trauma and substance use disorders. By integrating EMDR into comprehensive treatment programs, including medical detox, residential care, intensive inpatient treatment, and aftercare services, individuals can achieve lasting recovery. This innovative therapy has shown particular promise for veterans struggling with PTSD and addiction. As research continues to demonstrate EMDR’s effectiveness, more treatment centers are adopting this integrative method. Whether you’re seeking help for substance use, mental health concerns, or co-occurring disorders, consider exploring EMDR as part of your personalized treatment plan. With the right support and therapeutic approaches, you can overcome trauma, break free from addiction, and reclaim your life.
