Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based trauma therapy designed to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse.
It was developed in 1987 by American psychologist Francine Shapiro, who noticed that side-to-side eye movements helped her clients process disturbing and intrusive thoughts, and then began researching this phenomenon. By the early 1990s, EMDR was recognized by several major health organizations, including the Department of Veterans Affairs, as an evidence-based treatment for PTSD [1].
Beyond trauma, EMDR has proven effective in supporting addiction recovery. Many substance use patterns are rooted in unprocessed traumatic memories, emotional pain, or intense stress responses. By helping the brain reprocess these experiences, EMDR reduces the emotional charge of triggers that often lead to cravings or relapse.
How Does EMDR Work?
EMDR works by changing how the brain stores and processes traumatic memories. It does this with a structured, 8-phase approach. The brain normally organizes experiences so that they can be learned from, integrated, and eventually put in the past. Trauma interferes with this process, so memories or experiences of trauma can get “stuck” with the feelings, physical sensations, and beliefs that came with them [2].
This is why a memory from years ago can still feel real and cause the same fear, shame, or panic as if it were happening right now. EMDR works on memories that aren’t connected, helping integrate them into the larger memory network and store them in a way that is less stressful and more useful.
During EMDR, bilateral stimulation via guided eye movements is used while remembering certain parts of a memory. Studies show that this procedure activates working memory and reduces the vividness and emotional intensity of the experience, facilitating the brain’s reconsolidation of the memory in a less reactive state [3].
Over time, the emotional charge associated with the memory lowers, negative beliefs weaken, and healthier perspectives emerge without the need for intense verbal processing.
How Trauma and Substance Use Are Connected
When someone goes through trauma, whether it’s a one-time event (e.g., a school shooting or a natural disaster) or chronic stress over time (e.g., abuse or neglect), their nervous system can stay on high alert long after the event is over.
Many individuals with unresolved trauma struggle with symptoms of anxiety, depression, irritability, or always feeling “uneasy” (tense shoulders, nausea, etc), and turn to drugs and alcohol to cope with this discomfort.
Trauma influences the brain’s regulation of stress and emotion. The amygdala becomes more reactive, the prefrontal cortex has a harder time controlling responses, and the body may stay in a state of fight, flight, or freeze.
Drugs such as alcohol, opioids, or stimulants can change these states for a short time, either by numbing distressing feelings or giving individuals a sense of control and energy. Over time, the brain starts to link substance use with relief.
Nearly 75% of people seeking treatment for substance use disorders report a history of trauma, and individuals with unresolved trauma are two to four times more likely to develop a substance use disorder compared with those without trauma exposure [4].
How EMDR Helps Reduce Cravings and Triggers
EMDR works for addiction because it focuses on the reasons behind substance use instead of just the behavior itself. Cravings are often not random; they are linked to particular memories, emotional states, or internal stimuli that the brain has learned to connect with relief.
When a traumatic memory or upsetting event isn’t addressed, it can keep the nervous system active, causing pain that the person then tries to control by using drugs. EMDR works by focusing on the root experiences and reducing their emotional intensity and the likelihood of self-medication.
EMDR helps break the link between triggers and the automatic urge to use. The brain starts to make new connections by reprocessing the memories and beliefs associated with those triggers. These changes improve prefrontal cortex function, helping control impulses and make decisions in situations that might otherwise lead to relapse [5].
It also helps change the underlying beliefs that often keep people addicted, such as “I can’t handle it,” “I’m not safe,” or “I’m not enough.” These beliefs can cause both emotional pain and the need to escape through substance use.
What to Expect During EMDR Therapy for Addiction Recovery
The therapist starts each session with an initial assessment, looking for specific memories, experiences, or situations that are connected to trauma and cravings. During this phase, the therapist talks with the client about current problems, emotional responses, and patterns of substance use.
The therapy moves on to the processing phase once the memories that need to be worked on have been found. In this part, memory recall is performed simultaneously with bilateral stimulation, which is usually done by moving the eyes, tapping, or hearing sounds. The goal is not to go over the trauma in full detail, but to briefly go over it so the brain can store it safely.
There is also a focus on grounding and stabilization during sessions. Trauma and addiction can make the nervous system more sensitive, so therapists help clients find ways to manage stress during and between sessions.
The recovery process through EMDR takes time. Some memories may take a few sessions to fully process, while others may change quickly. People often notice that triggers don’t cause the same automatic reactions over time, that their emotions aren’t as strong, and that it’s easier to deal with cravings.
Trauma-Informed Addiction Treatment and EMDR Therapy in Massachusetts
Our trauma-informed care approach at Trinity Wellness Group is grounded in principles such as safety, trust, and collaboration, ensuring that every client is treated with compassion, dignity, and respect, and acknowledging the unique experiences that shaped their lives.
Our licensed and certified EMDR therapists work with clients to relieve the weight of trauma and support their long-term recovery from substance use.
We believe in integrity and authenticity, providing you with clinically excellent care and the power of lived experience. Contact us today to find support and begin treatment.
Sources
[1] APA. 2025. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy.
[2] Redding, H. et al. (2020). A FLASH OF HOPE: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy. Innovations in clinical neuroscience, 17(7-9), 12–20.
[3] Amann, L. et al. (2018). How Does Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy Work? A Systematic Review on Suggested Mechanisms of Action. Frontiers in psychology, 9, 1395.
[4] Partnership to End Addiction. Trauma and Addiction. 2024.
[5] Kovacs, J. (2020). The MET(T)A Protocol: Mindfulness and EMDR Treatment Template for Agencies. Substance abuse: research and treatment, 14, 1178221820977483.