EMDR therapy at Castle Craig
What is EMDR?
EMDR, which stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing, is a type of therapy which helps people to process difficult memories and beliefs. It is used to treat trauma and is based on the notion that during distressing life experiences, a person can be so overwhelmed by trauma that their brain is unable to process what is happening.
As a result, the traumatic memory becomes “stuck”, causing them to effectively keep re-experiencing the event – and all the associated unpleasant emotions and feelings – whenever they are reminded of it.
The aim of EMDR therapy is to help the patient reprocess the difficult memory so that thinking about it no longer evokes such an intense emotional reaction.
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Why is EMDR a Useful Treatment for Addiction?
We know that trauma very often lies at the root of addiction and that many people in treatment experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), such as flashbacks, extreme anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and nightmares.
These distressing symptoms are often the reason why people turn to substances and addictive behaviours in the first place, as a form of self-medication to numb their emotional pain.
EMDR has been approved as a treatment for PTSD by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, and is considered a highly useful therapy for many people seeking recovery from addiction.
How Does EMDR Work?
During EMDR treatment, a therapist uses bilateral stimulation to help a patient’s brain to process traumatic memories. While thinking about the upsetting event, the patient will be guided to do things which stimulate bilateral brain activity. This is usually moving the eyes from side to side, but it can also be listening to sounds or tapping.1
This bilateral stimulation enables the brain to start reprocessing the traumatic event and file it away as if it is an everyday memory, reducing its emotional intensity as a result. Processing difficult memories in this way helps patients to make sense of them while reducing their power to keep causing the person distress.
Human brains are usually able to process naturally the events that we experience, along with all the associated images, sounds, and feelings. EMDR effectively helps this happen for traumatic memories which have become stuck. It encourages a similar process to that which occurs automatically while we sleep.
What Happens During an EMDR Session?
You will meet with your EMDR therapist, and follow a structured treatment framework consisting of eight phases.2
At Castle Craig, our EMDR trauma therapists are appropriately trained through EMDR Europe.
We work to process traumatic past events, any current situations that cause distress, and potential future scenarios that could induce a traumatic response.
After EMDR processing, our patients generally report that the emotional distress related to the memory has been significantly reduced, or even eliminated and that they have gained insight into their mental processes and behaviour. This often leads to changes in thoughts and behaviour.
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EMDR Facts
EMDR was developed by a psychologist called Francine Shapiro in the 1980s. Since then, EMDR has been the subject of extensive research and has been recognised internationally as an effective treatment for trauma. 3
Some studies have looked specifically at the therapeutic benefits of EMDR for people affected by addiction, with researchers finding that standard EMDR treatment can successfully treat PTSD symptoms in people with substance use disorders.4
EMDR has also been found to reduce cravings, fear, and depression among people with addiction, while at the same time improving emotional regulation and self-esteem.5
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References
- American Psychological Association. What is EMDR therapy and why is it used to treat PTSD?. Available here. [Accessed 10 July 2024].
- EMDR International Association. The Eight Phases of EMDR Therapy. Available here. [Accessed 10 July 2024].
- EMDR Institute. Is EMDR therapy an efficacious treatment for PTSD? Available here. [Accessed 10 July 2024].
- Perez-Dandieu B, & Tapia, G. Treating Trauma in Addiction with EMDR: A Pilot Study. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. 2014; 46(4), 303–309. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2014.921744
- Pilz R, Hartleb, R, Konrad, G, Reininghaus, E, & Unterrainer, H. F. The role of eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) in substance use disorders: A systematic review. Fortschritte der Neurologie-Psychiatrie. 2017; 85(10), 584–591. Read abstract here or full paper in German https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0043-118338
How Can Castle Craig Help?
Who will I speak to when I call Castle Craig?
When you call you will reach our Help Centre team who will give you all the information you need to help you decide whether to choose treatment at Castle Craig. If you decide that you would like to have a free screening assessment you will be asked a series of questions to build up a picture of your medical and drug use history as well as any mental health issues you are facing. If you decide you want to proceed with treatment you will be put in touch with our admissions case managers who will guide you through the admissions process.
How long is the rehab programme?
Residential rehab treatment starts at 4 weeks and can go up to 12+ weeks. Research shows us that the longer you stay in rehab and are part of the residential therapy programme, the longer the likelihood of continued abstinence and stable recovery.
How do I pay for rehab?
One concern we sometimes hear from people is how they will fund their rehab treatment. You can pay for treatment at Castle Craig privately, or through medical insurance, and some people receive funding through the NHS. The cost of rehab varies depending on what kind of accommodation you choose.
What happens at the end of my treatment?
Castle Craig thoroughly prepares patients before departure by creating a personalised continuing care plan which is formulated following discussions with the medical and therapeutic team. We offer an online aftercare programme which runs for 24 weeks after leaving treatment, in order to ensure a smooth transition back into your everyday life. Patients leaving treatment automatically join our Recovery Club where they can stay connected via our annual reunion, events, online workshops and recovery newsletters.