How EMDR Therapy Heals Trauma and Addiction

Life experiences, either negative or positive, have a significant impact on our thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors. Adverse life experiences such as abuse, neglect, violence, or emotional distress may have serious consequences later in life, such as mental illness or addiction. In treating individuals who suffer from addiction, it is important to address any co-occurring trauma, PTSD, or related symptoms within the setting of a drug and alcohol rehab facility because, in most instances, these traumatic events or experiences play a role in the person’s addictive behaviors. Therefore, the addiction cannot be fully overcome without addressing those issues. The Impact of Trauma Research shows that trauma plays an important role in how we live our lives. One such famous study is the CDC-Kaiser Permanente Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study, which is one of the largest investigations of child abuse, neglect, and well-being later in life.1 The original ACE study was conducted from 1995 to 1997 and found that traumatic experiences in childhood can increase a person’s risk for developing substance abuse (among many other unhealthy lifestyles and habits) later in life. The ACE study looked at the following factors: Abuse Emotional abuse Physical abuse Sexual abuse Household challenges Mother treated violently Household substance abuse Mental illness in household Parental separation or divorce Incarcerated household member Neglect Emotional neglect Physical neglect O...
Source: Psych Central - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Tags: Abuse Addictions PTSD Substance Abuse Trauma Treatment Addiction Recovery EMDR Eye Movement Desensitization And Reprocessing Source Type: news