What You Need to Know: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy as a Path to Recovery for Patients With...

Studies show a direct correlation between traumatic experiences and the development of substance abuse disorders (SUD). Some estimating 67-92% of the patients with a SUD reported having experienced at least one traumatic event (according to the DSMIV PTSD criterion A) in their lifetime (Carletto et al., 2018). Trauma is a contributing factor inhibiting the lifelong process of recovery and its long-term goal of abstinence. Without a focus on interventions that address both the SUD and underlying trauma, health care providers may not be providing the best possible evidence-based care and limiting the chance of recovery for patients (DiPirro, 2017). EMDR is a level A trauma treatment endorsed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) as an evidence-based approach in treating those who suffer from trauma and its related symptoms. Adding EMDR methodology to treatment as usual approach {TAU) can allow for adaptive information processing to take place while reprocessing traumatic memories that may trigger maladaptive coping strategies such as overuse, and misuse of substances.