Starting the treatment always requires admitting to the problem and motivation to change the situation. When treating addictions with EMDR method, the life crisis that may have led to the addiction will be taken into account. The memories and mental images representing them, bodily reactions and emotions will be processed as neutral utilising EMDR’s standard protocol. This in itself often helps the person to feel the addiction as strongly as before entering into the treatment.
EMDR treatment of addictions utilises DeTUR or CravEx protocol which help desensitise or numb the triggers that maintain addictions and the related behaviour, such as emotions and thoughts and the related bodily sensations. For example, the emotional components of a fantasy or a memory of a real victory and the related positive feelings and sensations that maintain gaming addiction will be desensitised and made neutral. Furthermore, negative memories and thoughts of failure related to caving in to addiction can be desensitised with the help of these methods. Another important part of the treatment is instilling the person’s resources and activating their strengths and objectives. For EMDR treatment, it is important that the person does not use any intoxicants during the treatment. With the regard of effectiveness of treatment, the studies indicate that results are positive.* This is probably due to the fact that the treatment is directly targeted at the psychological processes maintaining the addiction.
Hoidon vaikuttamisen osalta tutkimukset viittaavat siihen, että tulokset ovat myönteisiä.* Tämä johtuu todennäköisesti siitä, että hoito kohdistuu suoraan riippuvuutta ylläpitäviin psyykkisiin prosesseihin.
* Carletto S, Oliva F, Barnato (2018).