What Is EMDR Therapy and How Does It Help With Addiction Recovery?

EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, is a structured psychotherapy that helps people process and reduce the emotional intensity of traumatic memories that drive addictive behavior. At Hollywood Hills Recovery, EMDR is used alongside CBT and DBT as part of a comprehensive residential treatment plan.

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What Is EMDR Therapy and How Was It Developed?

EMDR was developed by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro in 1987 and was originally used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder. It has since been recognized by the American Psychiatric Association and the World Health Organization as an evidence-based treatment for trauma and related conditions.

• EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
• Developed in 1987 by Dr. Francine Shapiro at the Mental Research Institute in Palo Alto, California
• Approved as an evidence-based treatment for PTSD by the American Psychiatric Association, the WHO, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
• Now widely used in addiction treatment to address trauma that underlies substance use
• Research shows EMDR reduces trauma symptoms in fewer sessions than traditional talk therapy in many cases

How Does EMDR Work During a Session?

During an EMDR session, a therapist guides the client to briefly focus on a distressing memory while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation, typically through guided eye movements. This process helps the brain reprocess the memory so it loses its emotional charge and no longer drives compulsive behavior.

• The therapist and client identify a specific traumatic or distressing memory to target in the session
• The client holds the memory in mind while the therapist uses bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, tapping, or audio tones
• The brain's working memory is taxed by the dual-task, which helps reduce the vividness and distress of the memory
• The therapist and client pause between sets of bilateral stimulation to assess what the client noticed
• The session continues until the memory's emotional charge is significantly reduced and a more adaptive belief replaces the negative one

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Why Is EMDR Used in Addiction Treatment?

Many people with substance use disorders have unresolved trauma that directly fuels their addictive behavior. EMDR addresses these underlying traumatic memories rather than only treating the surface-level symptoms of addiction, which leads to more durable recovery outcomes.

• Trauma is a major driver of addiction: research indicates that 75 percent of people entering addiction treatment report histories of trauma
• EMDR targets the emotional pain that a person has been medicating with alcohol or drugs
• Clients who complete EMDR alongside addiction treatment report fewer trauma-related triggers and lower relapse rates
• EMDR is particularly effective for clients with co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorder

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What Conditions Does EMDR Treat Alongside Addiction?

EMDR is effective for a range of co-occurring conditions that frequently appear alongside addiction. Hollywood Hills Recovery uses EMDR as part of its dual diagnosis program to treat the whole person, not just the substance use.

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex trauma
• Major depressive disorder and persistent depressive disorder
• Generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder
• Phobias, performance anxiety, and social anxiety disorder

How Many EMDR Sessions Are Needed During Residential Addiction Treatment?

The number of EMDR sessions needed varies by individual, with some clients experiencing significant relief in 6 to 12 sessions and others requiring more extended treatment for complex or developmental trauma. In a residential setting, EMDR is typically delivered 2 to 3 times per week alongside individual and group therapy.

• Simple single-incident trauma: often resolves in 3 to 6 EMDR sessions
• Complex or developmental trauma: may require 12 or more sessions across a 30 to 60-day residential stay
• EMDR is delivered at Hollywood Hills Recovery as part of an individualized treatment plan, not a one-size-fits-all protocol

Learn more about how trauma and addiction are treated together through the dual diagnosis and co-occurring disorder program at Hollywood Hills Recovery. EMDR is integrated into the residential inpatient treatment program, and additional educational resources are available through our addiction guidance blog.

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