Trauma-Focused EMDR Therapy for Addiction Recovery

Trauma that has not been resolved, along with chronic emotional strain will often continue to influence a person’s thoughts, actions and how their nervous system reacts even years or decades after they initially experienced it. Many of these continued patterns are part of why people experience persistent struggles with their mental health, and also may contribute to substance use.

EMDR provides a systematic and evidenced-based approach to processing traumatic experiences while minimizing reliance on traditional talk therapy. At Forward Motion Health, EMDR is used as part of individualized treatment plans for our clients experiencing trauma and co-occurring substance use disorders.

 

What is EMDR Therapy?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychotherapy approach developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).[1] 

EMDR is delivered by clinicians specifically trained in its practice, including licensed therapists, psychologists, or social workers, and is primarily used in individual outpatient or residential treatment settings. The length of time required to complete a full course of EMDR can vary from a few sessions to several months, depending on the client’s trauma history and their goals. Although initially developed to treat PTSD, EMDR has been studied for treating substance use disorders, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and numerous other mental health conditions associated with prior trauma.[2]

At Forward Motion Health, EMDR is incorporated into clients’ individualized treatment plans for substance use and co-occurring disorders. Our EMDR-trained clinicians use the EMDR modality alongside other evidence-based therapies to target both addiction-based cravings and behaviors, along with the underlying trauma that may contribute to them. The goal isn’t just to manage symptoms. It’s to help patients process what’s been hurting them, sometimes for decades, so that recovery has a real foundation to stand on.

How (and Why) EMDR Therapy Works

The model on which EMDR operates is known as the Adaptive Information Processing model, developed by Shapiro.[3] 

Shapiro proposes that most experiences are processed by the brain and stored as ordinary memories. However, when an experience exceeds what someone can handle — like a traumatic experience involving violence, an accident, or disaster— the processing mechanism gets “stuck.” As a result, the memory remains frozen in the nervous system, causing continued emotional distress, intrusive thoughts, bodily responses, and behaviors such as substance use that can persist long after the event itself.

EMDR helps the brain process those stuck memories using bilateral stimulation  — typically eye movement, though alternating tapping or sounds may also be used — while holding a traumatic memory in mind. This dual attention appears to help the brain integrate the memory into long-term storage and reduce the emotional charge associated with it. After treatment, clients frequently report feeling as if the memory is “farther away” or “smaller,” although they can still remember what happened.

This is particularly significant for clients with substance use disorders, as research indicates that a substantial percentage of addiction cases can be attributed to unresolved trauma.[4] While traditional talk therapies can be somewhat limited in accessing and processing these traumatic memories, EMDR accesses these areas directly. Through processing trauma at its source, EMDR can reduce cravings, ease emotional triggers that lead to use, and facilitate space for new coping mechanisms to develop and function effectively.

Our EMDR services are offered by certified clinicians working in a structured environment designed to protect clients from retraumatization. Each session is conducted at a pace suited to each client’s comfort level and needs, and is coordinated with all other aspects of their treatment plan to support and enhance the effectiveness of the therapeutic process.

Who is EMDR Therapy Best For?

EMDR is appropriate for a wide range of clients, but could be particularly suited for you if: 

• You have a history of trauma — abuse, neglect, accident, loss — and do not feel as though those issues have been fully resolved.
• Specific memories or triggers lead to cravings or relapses.
• You suffer from PTSD, depression, anxiety, or substance use.
• You’ve tried traditional talk therapy but still feel as though there is something beneath the surface that needs to be addressed.
• You experience shame, intrusive thoughts, or emotional reactions which appear to be disproportionate to your life today.
• You are unable to discuss past painful experiences without being overwhelmed.

EMDR is not recommended for people in acute crisis, actively abusing drugs or alcohol, or who are otherwise too unstable to safely work through their trauma. The clinical team here will determine whether EMDR should be initiated immediately or whether other therapeutic modalities should come first, with EMDR incorporated into the treatment plan when it’s appropriate.

 

Efficacy of EMDR Therapy

There is an abundance of research demonstrating EMDR’s efficacy. 

• EMDR has been recognized as an effective treatment for PTSD by numerous organizations, including the World Health Organization, the American Psychiatric Association, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Defense.[5] 
• Multiple randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses support EMDR as an effective treatment for PTSD, with outcomes that are often comparable to trauma-focused CBT.[6]
• Research has explored the use of EMDR alongside addiction treatment for individuals with trauma-related substance use disorders, with some studies reporting improvements in trauma symptoms and emotional regulation.[7] 
• Some studies have explored EMDR as part of broader addiction treatment programs, with findings suggesting potential benefits for trauma symptoms and substance use outcomes.[8] 
• The same body of research has documented the effectiveness of EMDR for addressing co-occurring conditions associated with addiction — anxiety, depression, panic, and complex post-traumatic stress disorder — suggesting that EMDR can be a useful intervention in dual diagnosis treatment.[9]
• Research has found that many individuals with single-incident PTSD no longer met diagnostic criteria for PTSD after several EMDR sessions.[10]

What to Expect from EMDR Therapy

If this is the first you’re hearing about EMDR, it is natural to feel hesitant about trying this treatment for yourself. To help familiarize yourself with it, we’ll provide a brief overview of what you can expect.

EMDR is delivered in complete sequence and is divided into eight phases. Most individual EMDR sessions last 60 to 90 minutes, and the full process happens over the course of several sessions, with a typical course involving:

• History taking and treatment planning— During this initial phase, your clinician will gather information regarding your medical and psychological background and develop a comprehensive treatment plan based on your presenting problems and goals.
• Preparation — Your clinician will teach you strategies for managing the potential discomfort and distress that may arise during and after EMDR sessions.
• Assessment — Together with your clinician, you’ll determine which traumatic events you would like to address. Along with identifying the target memories, you and your clinician will also identify the negative beliefs, feelings, emotions, and physical sensations you associate with those memories.
• Desensitization — Using bilateral stimulation, most commonly eye movement, you will briefly hold the memory in mind while the brain begins processing it.
• Installation — Additional bilateral stimulation is applied until the desired positive belief replaces the original negative one.
• Body scan — You will review your body for remaining physical tension or distress associated with the traumatic memory.
• Closure — Each session concludes with grounding to ensure that you depart feeling emotionally regulated and stable.
• Reevaluation — At the beginning of each successive session, your clinician will evaluate your progress since the previous session and determine the next steps.

Many people report that working with EMDR feels less “talk” oriented compared to other forms of psychotherapy. You don’t have to provide detailed explanations of the trauma you experienced; your brain does much of the work.

 

EMDR Therapy at Forward Motion Health

At Forward Motion Health, we incorporate EMDR into many of our clients’ treatment plans along with multiple other evidence-based treatments. Our EMDR-trained clinicians work collaboratively with all members of the clinical team to integrate trauma-processing with the client’s addiction recovery, mental health treatment, and general wellness. 

We carefully pace this work and develop a strong relationship with the client before starting, and make sure the patient has the support he needs before, during, and after each session.