A brand-new research study exposes that Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), typically utilized for dealing with PTSD and other psychological health conditions, reveals pledge in dealing with dependency yearnings. The research study concentrated on utilizing Addiction- focused EMDR, alone or with cognitive behavior modification, to change inefficient memories connected with dependency. Results suggest a considerable decrease in yearnings and unreasonable ideas, recommending EMDR as an important addition to existing dependency treatment approaches.
Researchers take a look at the effectiveness of “Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing” (EMDR) treatment in dealing with grownups with compound usage condition.
In 2021, 61.2 million Americans aged 12 and older utilized illegal drugs, and over 106,000 passed away from drug-related overdoses. Florida, ranking 2nd just to California, reported 5,300 yearly overdose deaths, surpassing the nationwide average by about 23%. Additionally, extreme alcohol usage, a leading reason for avoidable death in the U.S., is connected with various health concerns, consisting of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and bad psychological health.
Although people with compound usage condition usage outpatient sober assistance services and resources, regression rates are still as high as 70 percent, showing a requirement for more treatment techniques.
Innovative Treatment Approach
A brand-new Florida Atlantic University pilot research study is revealing pledge in dealing with dependency yearnings by integrating eye motions and assisted directions to process memories. The evidence-based treatment– Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)– has actually shown to be reliable in dealing with < period class ="glossaryLink" aria-describedby ="tt" data-cmtooltip ="<div class=glossaryItemTitle>PTSD</div><div class=glossaryItemBody>Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that develops in some people who have experienced or witnessed a shocking, scary, or dangerous event.</div>" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex ="0" function ="link" > PTSD, anxiety, stress and anxiety, and other psychological health conditions.However, research study exploring this technique for compound usage condition is sporadic.
Since yearnings are preserved and increased by sensory images kept in memories, with more brilliant images forecasting greater yearning strength, among the objectives of the FAU research study was to change inefficient memories kept in the brain through processing and combination.(***************************************************************************************************************************************************** )memory, presumed to be episodic, looks like the maladaptive terrible memory development typically seen in trauma.
“Because Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing has been shown to reduce the vividness of negative memories associated with trauma, we anticipated that this therapy would also reduce the vivid imagery that fuels addiction cravings,” stated Elizabeth Woodruff, very first author, a graduate of the Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work within FAU’s College of Social Work and Criminal Justice, and a practicing scientific therapist in West PalmBeach “This method accesses trauma events in very specific ways to reprocess what the individual remembers from the negative event to ‘repair’ the mental injury from that memory.”
FAU’s “Addiction-focused Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing” research study concentrated on yearnings, perseverative ideas (recurring negative attitude), and unreasonable cognitions about the compound of option. For the research study, scientists checked Addiction- focused EMDR with and without cognitive behavior modification, a psycho-social intervention intended to decrease signs of different psychological health conditions consisting of anxiety and stress and anxiety conditions.
Results of the research study, released in the Journal of Evidence- based Social Work, revealed a substantially high individual retention rate (almost 100 percent). Addiction- focused EMDR was as reliable as cognitive behavior modification for yearnings with the mix of both leading to more decrease in yearning than cognitive behavior modification alone. Both groups (speculative group and control group utilizing just cognitive behavior modification) had medically considerable decreases in yearnings, perseverative ideas, and unreasonable cognitions, with the speculative group revealing higher declines in general.
Broader Implications and Future Research
“While the purpose of our pilot study was to test Addiction-focused Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing on chemical addiction cravings, our findings indicate that it also can be highly effective with issues that are not chemical but rather compulsory in nature, such as Internet addiction and gambling. However, more randomized control trials are necessary to confirm our findings and develop a transparent understanding of the number of sessions needed to cultivate statically significant outcomes that are replicable for future studies,” stated JuYoung Park,Ph D., 2nd author and a teacher in FAU’s Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work.
“Importantly, this therapy is a valuable add-on to current addiction treatment to address memories that drive addiction cravings, which also impacts maladaptive thought patterns associated with relapse.”
EMDR Methodology and Participant Experience
EMDR is an eight-phase intervention: extensive customer history, preparation, evaluation, desensitization, installation, body scan, closure, and reevaluation.
Participants in the speculative group got 60 minutes of specific cognitive behavior modification once a week, followed by Addiction- focused EMDR. Researchers checked out previous memories of regression (initially, worst, latest), yearnings (initially, worst, latest), and present triggers. They recognized future worries, which were desensitized with Addiction- focused EMDR.
Nearly 57 percent of the research study individuals reported alcohol as their main compound reliance and 20 percent reported heroin or other opiates, consisting of morphine, as their main compound reliance.
Currently, people with compound usage condition are motivated to go to inpatient treatment that utilizes group treatment to inform clients on dependency, coping abilities, and thought-stopping strategies, and cognitive behavior modification, together with medicinal alternatives such as anti-craving drugs.
As perseverative ideas were discovered to be an essential predictor of regression, the scientists state findings from their research study reveal that pairing Addiction- focused EMDR with cognitive behavior modification, might reduce regression rates and assist individuals with compound usage condition to keep long-lasting healing in inpatient or perhaps outpatient treatment centers.
Reference: “Feasibility and Efficacy of Addiction-Focused Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing in Adults with Substance Use Disorder” by Elizabeth Woodruff, Juyoung Park, Heather Howard, Manny Gonzalez and Talib Jaber, 23 October 2023, Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work
DOI: 10.1080/2640806620232271927
Study co-authors are Heather Howard,Ph D., associate teacher; Manny Gonzalez,Ph D., associate teacher; both in FAU’s Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work; and Talib Jaber, RPh, vice president of consumer success,Sunwave
