EMDR for Addiction Recovery
Break free from addiction by healing the underlying trauma and painful experiences that fuel addictive behaviors. Build lasting recovery through trauma-informed care.
Begin Your Recovery Journeyof people with addiction have experienced significant trauma*
The Trauma-Addiction Connection
Addiction often develops as a way to cope with unresolved trauma, emotional pain, or overwhelming life experiences. EMDR addresses these root causes for more effective, lasting recovery.
How Trauma Leads to Addiction
- Self-medication for emotional pain
- Escape from traumatic memories
- Numbing overwhelming feelings
- Coping with negative self-beliefs
- Managing hypervigilance and anxiety
Common Trauma Sources
- Childhood abuse or neglect
- Domestic violence
- Combat or military trauma
- Medical trauma or chronic illness
- Loss and grief experiences
Addiction Types We Address
Substance Use Disorders
- Alcohol dependency
- Prescription drug misuse
- Illegal drug addiction
- Polysubstance use
Behavioral Addictions
- Gambling addiction
- Shopping compulsions
- Food and eating disorders
- Technology/internet addiction
How EMDR Supports Addiction Recovery
- Work addiction
- Exercise compulsion
- Relationship/love addiction
- Sexual addiction
Important Note
EMDR for addiction works best as part of comprehensive treatment. We recommend coordination with addiction specialists, medical providers, and support groups for optimal recovery outcomes.
Process Addictions
EMDR doesn't just address addiction symptoms - it heals the underlying wounds that make substances or behaviors feel necessary for survival.
Stabilization & Safety
Ensure you're stable in recovery before processing trauma. Build healthy coping skills and relapse prevention strategies.
Trauma Processing
Process the traumatic experiences and painful memories that contribute to addictive patterns and negative self-beliefs.
Trigger Reprocessing
Address specific situations, emotions, or memories that typically trigger cravings or addictive behaviors.
Future Preparation
Build confidence in your ability to handle challenges without substances or addictive behaviors.
Your Path to Lasting Recovery
As trauma heals and healthy coping skills develop, many clients experience significant improvements in their recovery journey and overall well-being.
Emotional Regulation
Develop healthier ways to process and cope with difficult emotions
Reduced Triggers
Decrease the intensity and frequency of addiction triggers and cravings
Increased Self-Worth
Transform shame and self-criticism into self-compassion and confidence
Sustainable Recovery
Build a foundation for long-term recovery based on healing, not just willpower
Sherly's Trauma-Informed Addiction Approach
Sherly understands that addiction is often a symptom of deeper wounds. Her compassionate, non-judgmental approach focuses on healing rather than shame:
The Research: Why EMDR Works for Addiction
EMDR isn't generic therapy retrofitted for addiction — researchers have developed substance-and-behavior-specific protocols over more than fifteen years. The most relevant findings:
CravEx Protocol (Hase et al., 2008)
The first randomized controlled trial of EMDR for substance addiction showed significant reductions in craving intensity and use frequency among alcohol-dependent patients. The CravEx (Craving Extinguished) protocol treats the craving itself as a target memory to reprocess — not just the underlying traumatic event.
DeTUR Model (Popky, 2005)
The Desensitization of Triggers and Urge Reprocessing model identifies specific triggers (places, people, emotional states) and processes each until the brain stops auto-coding the urge. Useful for both substances and behaviors — gambling, food, compulsive sexual behavior.
Trauma as Driver (Marich, 2009 / 2010)
Marich's research with clients in early recovery found that treating underlying trauma with EMDR reduced relapse rates more effectively than cognitive-behavioral therapy alone. The premise: addiction is often a solution for trauma pain, not the primary condition.
PTSD-Addiction Comorbidity
Population studies (Mills et al., 2006; Pietrzak et al., 2011) show 30–50% of people with substance use disorder also meet criteria for PTSD. Treating one without the other produces fragile results. EMDR addresses both systems within the same therapeutic frame.
How Recovery Is Structured with EMDR
- Phase 1 — Stabilization (sessions 1–3)
We build internal resources (safe place, support figures) and real-time craving management tools before touching traumatic memories. Active sobriety or reduced use is a prerequisite at this stage. - Phase 2 — Trigger Map (sessions 3–5)
We identify specific triggers — a smell, a place, an emotion — and link them to original memories the brain flagged as dangerous. Each trigger becomes a target memory. - Phase 3 — Trauma Reprocessing (sessions 6–14)
Guided bilateral reprocessing of the underlying memories. Most clients notice a drop in craving intensity and a shift in how they perceive the substance or behavior — it stops feeling like a solution. - Phase 4 — Future Template (sessions 14+)
We mentally rehearse high-risk situations (a funeral, a wedding, the anniversary of a loss) using bilateral stimulation to reinforce healthy responses. This phase is what sets EMDR apart from straight relapse-prevention therapy.
Note: EMDR for addiction works best as a complement to — not a substitute for — medical withdrawal support, peer-based recovery programs (AA, NA, SMART Recovery), and psychiatric care when indicated. The free initial consultation is the place to talk through how EMDR fits the rest of your plan.
Insurance Coverage for EMDR Therapy in Massachusetts
EMDR therapy is billed as standard outpatient psychotherapy — if your plan covers mental health sessions, it covers EMDR. EMDR Unlocked is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Aetna, Cigna / Evernorth — and MassHealth (Medicaid). We are actively credentialing with Tufts Health Plan, Harvard Pilgrim, and Optum/UnitedHealthcare.
Not yet in-network? We provide a superbill for out-of-network reimbursement — many clients recover 50–80% of session costs through their out-of-network benefit.
Sherly will verify your specific benefits before your first session during your free 15-minute consultation. No surprises.
View Insurance & Coverage DetailsReady to Heal the Roots of Addiction?
Recovery is possible when you address both the addiction and the underlying trauma that feeds it. Take the next step toward lasting healing.
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