Many people who seek treatment for substance use or mental health disorders are carrying unresolved trauma deep beneath the surface.

Traumatic experiences can have a lasting impact on the brain that changes how people think, feel, and respond to everyday situations. Substance use can become a way to cope with painful memories or overwhelming emotions, but others may struggle with anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, or relationship challenges. Trauma is often an underlying factor in both mental health and substance use disorders which makes addressing it an important part of the recovery process.

EMDR Therapy: An Evidence-Based Trauma Treatment

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, commonly known as EMDR, is a form of psychotherapy that helps people process distress from the past, present, or future. EMDR reduces the effects of traumatic memories that can affect daily life. During treatment, a trained therapist guides the person through a structured process that utilizes bilateral stimulation while they think of a distressing image or memory. This helps the brain reprocess stressful events without having to relive traumatic experiences.

EMDR was developed by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s and has since been extensively researched. It is recognized as an effective treatment for trauma and PTSD and is also used to help people experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, and other challenges connected to traumatic experiences.

What is Bilateral Stimulation?

Bilateral stimulation uses repetitive, rhythmic alternating sensory input from left to right to engage both hemispheres of the brain. When both sections of the brain are being stimulated while a person thinks of a stressful event, the brain interprets the event in a less emotional way which promotes healing. Bilateral stimulation could include:

• Side-to-side eye movements while following a moving light
• Alternating hand taps
• Handheld vibrating devices that gently pulse back and forth between hands
• Bilateral music or sounds played through headphones from left to right
• Butterfly taps performed by crossing the arms and tapping each shoulder in turn

Understanding the Link Between Trauma, Substance Use, and Mental Health

EMDR reduces the emotional distress associated with certain experiences and allows the person to think about them without feeling overwhelmed. After processing trauma in this way, many people experience improved emotional regulation and use healthier coping skills.

This work can be particularly meaningful for people in recovery. Research and clinical experience show a strong connection between trauma, mental health conditions, and substance use disorders. When trauma goes untreated, it can contribute to ongoing emotional pain and increase the risk of returning to use. When people address trauma directly, they can build a healthier life.

Find EMDR Therapy at Alpharus Health Bloomington

As part of our commitment to providing comprehensive behavioral healthcare, Alpharus Health is proud to offer EMDR therapy at our Bloomington location. We recognize that trauma, mental health, and substance use are often interconnected. That’s why effective treatment must address the whole person. EMDR gives our clinical team another evidence-based tool to help people process difficult experiences and move forward.

If trauma, anxiety, depression, PTSD, or substance use challenges are affecting your life, help is available. To learn more about EMDR therapy at our Bloomington location, call 877.505.HOPE (4673) or visit alpharushealth.org/contact-us/. We are here to help you build a healthier life.