Can EMDR Therapy Help with Addiction?

• February 7, 2025
• Uncategorized
• Ava
• 0 Comments

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a relatively new therapy. The first published study for EMDR was in 1989 and analyzed its impact on survivors of trauma. Since that time, numerous other studies on EMDR have been published. Today, EMDR is recommended as an effective treatment for trauma victims by the American Psychiatric Association, Department of Defense, and the World Health Organization. It has been particularly effective with those experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a diagnosis it was originally designed to treat.

But can EMDR help with addiction? The answer is yes, and this blog post will explain how.

How Does EMDR Work?

EMDR is a psychotherapy, also known more casually as “talk therapy,” that helps participants process upsetting memories, thoughts, and feelings related to trauma. (This blog post will provide an oversimplified overview of EMDR therapy, but if you would like to learn more about each of the eight stages, you can find them under the “What to Expect in EMDR Therapy Sessions” section on our website.)

During the preparation stage of EMDR, participants work with a therapist to learn about trauma and coping skills that might help them when they are ready to process their trauma. This stage can take as little as one to two sessions or longer. 

Once a person is ready, they will move to the reprocessing or desensitization stage of EMDR. In this session, the participant will focus on their chosen traumatic memory while bilateral stimulation takes place. Bilateral stimulation could be “your provider’s moving finger, a flashing light, or a tone that beeps in one ear at a time until your distress goes down,” according to the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs website. Your provider will likely lead you through prompts to talk about the memory and will eventually help you move to the “installation” phase when you focus on a positive belief or thought. An example could be, “I’m safe now.”

EMDR therapy can be repeated, either for the same memory or for other memories.

How Can EMDR Therapy Help With Addiction?

Here are three specific ways that EMDR therapy can help with addiction.

1. Addresses underlying trauma. Addiction and trauma are often correlated. Multiple studies have confirmed this, often revealing that around 75% of people with substance use disorders have experienced trauma at some point in their lives. For many people, trauma can be a driver of substance use. EMDR therapy can be a very useful tool for processing one’s trauma and reducing the emotional weight of those memories.
2. Reduces triggers, cravings, and relapse rates. This study from Florida Atlantic University has shown that “perseverative thoughts,” described another way as “repetitive negative thinking,” have been a predictor of relapse. The study suggests that using addiction-focused EMDR therapy with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can reduce relapse rates and promote long-term recovery. EMDR therapy has also achieved positive results when combined with 12-step programs or medication assisted treatment (MAT).
3. Helps manage emotions. Through EMDR therapy, a person is likely to learn important grounding techniques to better manage their emotions. These could include mindfulness, deep breathing, and positive self-talk, all of which provide a space to process negative or traumatic emotions without the use of drugs or alcohol.

The ARTS IOP and EMDR Therapy

The benefits of EMDR therapy are clear. Participants experience reduced reactions (both physical and emotional) to triggers, and it promotes whole-person healing, which leads to a more positive self-perception. Finally, EMDR therapy has been connected to better quality of life scores.

Absolute Recovery Therapeutic Solutions (The ARTS) provides EMDR therapy and several other therapeutic modalities. If you or a loved one are looking for support with substance abuse or mental health, our compassionate, caring therapists are here to support you. We are here to help you through the hard work of recovery. Contact us today to start living the life you know you are capable of and deserve.