Healing addiction with EMDR therapy: A trauma-focused guide

ABSTRACT

Unhealed trauma causes distress in the body. When the nature of the distress overrides a person's existing system for coping, or the trauma is not processed, survivors may numb themselves or seek a more pleasurable experience to escape. Such behavior is a completely natural response to unprocessed trauma. This tendency we have as human beings to dissociate, or sever from the present moment when the moment becomes unpleasant or painful, is amplified for survivors when chemicals or other reinforcing behaviors are introduced. Such chemicals and behaviors can accelerate the potency of dissociation. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a complete system of psychotherapy that can facilitate this process. This innovative book offers an investigation into therapies which can assist therapists to assess trauma and how it impacts the mind-body. It provides a clear guide to therapists in changing the way healing addiction is imagined. The book continues to challenge the existing paradigms for treating addiction and related issues. Despite the longstanding existence of professional treatment in North America, recidivism is high. People are still dying at alarming rates, not just from the opioid crisis that dominates news headlines, but also from the impact of alcohol, cocaine, nicotine, and other maladaptive behaviors. Moreover, the social isolation and collective trauma caused by the COVID-19 pandemic added fuel to an already raging fire, revealing massive cracks in a system for care that is barely functional. In assessment, no single drug, substance, or behavior is the culprit the real issue is the untreated trauma that lurks underneath, causing people to seek out the relief of these substances in the first place. EMDR therapy is a complete psychotherapy that facilitates the shifts that are required in an individual to achieve meaningful lifestyle change. Recovery, healing, and wellness require lifestyle change. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)