EMDR Therapy for Trauma and Addiction
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has become a powerful approach for treating both trauma and addiction. Instead of only focusing on addictive behaviour, EMDR helps people process unresolved trauma that may be driving them in the first place. It is also used extensively in addiction relapse prevention to lower the urge of cravings and help clients have more clarity about substance abuse.
Since trauma and addiction are often deeply connected, treating both together can play an important role in long term recovery and healing.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR is an evidence based psychotherapy that helps people heal from trauma and distressing life experiences. It’s recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a leading treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and is widely used around the world for trauma recovery.
Developed in the 1980s by psychologist Francine Shapiro, EMDR was originally designed to treat trauma and PTSD. Since then, growing research has also shown its benefits in helping people with substance use disorders and addiction related behaviours. This is especially important because trauma and addiction often exist together.
EMDR works through bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements, tapping, or sound cues, to help the brain safely process traumatic memories. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR does not require people to repeatedly describe painful experiences in detail. This can make the process feel less overwhelming while still supporting deep emotional healing.
The Link Between Trauma and Addiction
People who experience trauma are at a higher risk of developing substance use disorders. This is why treating addiction without addressing trauma often leaves the root cause unresolved with a higher chance of relapse.
Studies show that 25% to 76% of teen substance use disorders develop after a traumatic event. PTSD can also make recovery more difficult. Around 25% of women and 10% of men with alcohol dependence meet the criteria for lifetime PTSD.
For many people, addiction begins as a way to cope with emotional pain and trauma symptoms rather than a lack of willpower. Trauma can affect emotional regulation, stress response, and behaviour, increasing the risk of substance use and addiction.
Common patterns seen in trauma related addiction:
Self-Medication
People with PTSD or unresolved trauma may use alcohol, drugs, or addictive behaviours to manage anxiety, intrusive memories, emotional numbness, or hypervigilance. While substances may create temporary relief, they often worsen mental health over time.
Changes in Brain Function
Trauma can affect the brain’s stress response and emotional regulation systems. Alcohol and drugs may temporarily create feelings of relief, calmness, or pleasure, making them more appealing to someone living in ongoing emotional distress.
A Repeating Cycle
The relationship between trauma and addiction works both ways. Trauma can increase the risk of substance abuse, while substance abuse can increase exposure to unsafe situations, risky behaviour, and further trauma. Without proper treatment, this cycle can be difficult to break.
How Does EMDR Work?
EMDR therapy is based on the idea that traumatic memories can become “stuck” in the brain and nervous system. When this happens, memories may continue triggering emotional distress, anxiety, fear, cravings, or physical reactions long after the event has passed.
EMDR uses the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, which suggests the brain naturally has the ability to process and recover from difficult experiences. Trauma can disrupt this process, causing memories to remain stored in a distressing and unresolved way.
During an EMDR session, a therapist guides the person to focus on a traumatic memory while using bilateral stimulation, such as side to side eye movements, tapping, or audio cues. The eye movements are believed to work similarly to Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, the stage of sleep involved in processing and storing memories.
Over time, the brain begins to reprocess the memory differently, reducing its emotional intensity and psychological impact. The person may still remember the event, but it no longer triggers the same level of distress.
In addiction treatment, EMDR may also target memories linked to substance use, cravings, withdrawal, or relapse triggers. The goal can include reducing cravings, desensitising emotional triggers, strengthening motivation for recovery, and helping people manage fears around relapse or quitting substances.
The 8 Phases of EMDR Treatment
EMDR therapy follows a structured eight-phase approach designed to help people safely process trauma, addiction related memories, and emotional distress.
Each phase has a specific purpose, helping therapists make personalised treatment:
Phase 1: History Taking & Treatment Planning
The therapist begins by understanding the client’s history, symptoms, and treatment goals. In trauma-focused EMDR, this may include discussing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), PTSD symptoms, or past traumatic events. In addiction focused EMDR, therapists may also explore memories linked to substance use, cravings, withdrawal, or relapse triggers.
Using this information, the therapist creates a treatment plan designed to support safe and effective processing.
Phase 2: Preparation & Education
Before trauma processing begins, the therapist explains how EMDR works and what to expect during sessions. Clients are also taught coping strategies such as grounding techniques, breathing exercises, or visualisation to help manage difficult emotions during treatment.
This phase helps build emotional stability and a sense of safety before deeper processing begins.
Phase 3: Assessment
The therapist helps identify the specific memory being targeted, along with the thoughts, emotions, body sensations, or beliefs connected to it. These reactions become the focus of the EMDR reprocessing phase.
For people in addiction recovery, this may also include identifying emotional triggers or memories associated with substance use.
Phase 4: Desensitisation
During this phase, the client focuses on the traumatic memory or addiction related memory while following bilateral stimulation, such as side to side eye movements, tapping, or sound cues.
As processing continues, the emotional intensity connected to the memory often begins to decrease. In addiction focused EMDR, therapists may also help clients connect these memories with motivations for recovery and sobriety.
Phase 5: Installation
Once distress levels reduce, the therapist helps strengthen a healthier and more adaptive belief. For example, beliefs such as “I am powerless” may shift into “I am safe now” or “I have control over my choices.”
In addiction treatment, this phase may also reinforce motivation to remain abstinent and maintain recovery goals.
Phase 6: Body Scan
Trauma is often stored physically as well as emotionally. During the body scan, clients notice any remaining tension, discomfort, or physical reactions connected to the memory.
For addiction focused EMDR, therapists may also assess whether cravings or urges are still present.
Phase 7: Closure & Stabilisation
Each session ends with grounding and calming techniques to help clients return to a stable emotional state. The goal is to ensure the person leaves the session feeling safe, regulated, and connected to the present moment.
Phase 8: Reevaluation & Continuing Care
At the beginning of the next session, the therapist reviews progress and checks whether emotional distress, physical reactions, or cravings have changed since the previous session.
Depending on the response, the therapist may continue processing the same memory, address new triggers, or adjust the treatment plan.
Is EMDR Safe & Effective?
Research shows that EMDR is a safe and effective treatment for trauma, PTSD, and addiction related issues when conducted by a trained therapist.
Many people worry that processing trauma during recovery could increase the risk of relapse. However, studies show that once the patient is in a stable condition (i.e. 3 weeks off of the drugs and/or alcohol) trauma focused therapies such as EMDR can still be effective when delivered in a safe and supportive treatment setting.
EMDR sessions usually last between 60 to 90 minutes and may take place once or twice per week. The length of treatment depends on your history, symptoms, and recovery goals.
EMDR can also be presented in an intensive format of 10 sessions per week in blocks of 150 to 250 minutes at a time, with organic breaks. This intensive programme has been proven highly effective in patients who are stable and ready for deep trauma work.
Although EMDR is considered safe, some people may experience temporary side effects after sessions as the brain continues processing difficult memories. These can include:
- vivid dreams or nightmares
- emotional sensitivity or mood changes
- distressing memories resurfacing
- headaches
- nausea or lightheadedness
These reactions are usually temporary and can often be managed with grounding techniques and coping strategies taught during treatment.
If you have concerns about side effects or emotional reactions, it’s important to discuss them with your therapist during the preparation phase so the treatment can be adjusted to your needs.
What Does The Lighthouse Bali Offer for EMDR Therapy?
At the Lighthouse Bali, EMDR therapy is part of our personalised treatment program for trauma, PTSD, addiction, and mental health conditions.
Treatment focuses on identifying and processing the root cause of experiences connected to substance use, emotional distress, cravings, and relapse triggers.
The program includes:
- Personalised trauma and addiction assessments
- One on one EMDR therapy sessions
- Evidence based therapies such as CBT, DBT, and trauma focused counseling
- Nervous system regulation and mindfulness practices
- Relapse prevention and trigger management support
- Nutritional support and physical wellness guidance
- Private villa accommodation in Sanur
- 24/7 clinical support
- Aftercare planning and continued therapy support
Treatment is fully individualised to each person’s trauma history, symptoms, substance use patterns, and recovery goals.
Getting The Support You Need
Trauma and addiction can affect the way you respond to stress, relationships, emotions, and daily life. Recovery often involves learning how to manage those experiences without relying on substances to cope.
With professional support, it becomes possible to process unresolved trauma, reduce emotional triggers, and develop healthier coping strategies that support long term recovery.
If you or someone you love is struggling with trauma, PTSD, addiction, or relapse, professional support can help you better understand the right treatment approach for your recovery needs.
Contact our team to learn more about our programs and personalised treatment options by clicking here.