EMDR therapy and the treatment of substance abuse and addiction

This chapter proposes that integrating treatments for co-occurring trauma and addiction with EMDR therapy can help.

Chapter Abstract

“Addiction is not a failure of will or of strength of character. Addiction is a disorder of the brain that given the right set of circumstances could affect anyone. The authors of this chapter, and the majority of experts agree, that addictions arise from uniquely individual and complex interactions between biology, the environment, and experience that lead to the compulsive misuse of alcohol and other substances. Once established, these patterns have traditionally proven difficult to alter. Substance abuse is frequently found co-occurring with untreated trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental disorders and physical conditions. EMDR therapy is a comprehensive, A-rated, empirically validated psychotherapy for the treatment of PTSD and other trauma related symptoms. This chapter proposes that integrating treatments for co-occurring trauma and addiction with EMDR therapy will help resolve the traumatic experiences that contribute to addiction and restore people to the promise of a sober and healthy life.”

—Description from publisher

Chapter Access

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Brown, S., Stowasser, J., & Shapiro, F. (2016). EMDR therapy and the treatment of substance abuse and addiction. In A. Andrade & D. De Micheli (Eds.), Innovations in the treatment of substance addiction (pp. 69-100). Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-43172-7_5