EMDR Therapy for Addiction & Trauma in Orange County
For many adults struggling with addiction, the hardest part isn’t willpower – it’s the other issues happening under the surface. Unresolved trauma can silently shape emotional reactions and cravings. And with nearly half of people with PTSD also living with a substance use disorder (SUD), treating both conditions is vital for a lasting recovery.1,2
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) helps the brain safely process trauma that may drive addictive behaviors. By addressing trauma and addiction together, EMDR therapy can help ease cravings, reduce emotional triggers, and support long-term healing.
If you’re interested in EMDR therapy, the team at A Better Life Recovery can help you decide whether it’s the right fit for your needs. This page can also help you better understand EMDR for addiction and trauma by exploring:
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- The link between trauma and addiction
- What EMDR is
- The eight phases of EMDR treatment
- How EMDR for addiction treatment works
- Conditions treated with EMDR
- Our EMDR program in Orange County
- Answers to frequently asked questions about EMDR for trauma and addiction
The Link Between Trauma and Addiction
Addiction and trauma are closely connected, although many people don’t realize it. Understanding what lies beneath an addiction can help make sense of why cycles of dependence continue. With this in mind, let’s take a closer look at the trauma-addiction link in the following sections.
What Is Trauma?
Trauma is an understandable emotional response to distressing events such as accidents, violence, or natural disasters. Trauma can result from a single incident (such as a car crash) or repeated experiences, for instance, abuse.
These experiences can leave a person feeling intensely scared, helpless, sad, or angry long after the event itself.3 It can have lasting effects on a person’s emotions, behavior, and how they live their life. When symptoms persist and interfere with daily life, a person may be living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).4
It’s clear that trauma can leave its mark on a person, but this isn’t only through memory. It can also change how the brain and body respond to the world around them. For instance, the brain may go into overdrive, constantly scanning for danger. This can leave a person feeling on edge, unable to relax, or stuck in fight-or-flight mode; always ready to run away from danger or to fight it off.5
Being stuck in this protective mode might show up as a racing heart, freezing under stress, or ongoing tension, pain, or fatigue. Over time, it may feel as though each day is a battle.
But what does this have to do with addiction?
The Trauma-Addiction Link
Research shows that around three out of four people with SUD have experienced trauma, making trauma a significant risk factor for developing addiction.1,2 So, what causes this link between trauma and addiction?
People may use substances for many reasons, often to feel better or escape emotional pain.6 Alcohol or drugs may seem to offer a temporary relief from trauma-related distress, helping someone to feel calmer, more carefree, or to forget about what has happened.
Over time, however, the body and brain adapt, requiring more frequent or higher use just to feel “normal.” This pattern can gradually turn into substance misuse.
While many effective treatment approaches exist for trauma and substance abuse, talk therapy alone doesn’t always address trauma stored in the nervous system. This is when approaches like EMDR often enter the conversation.
What Is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR therapy – short for eye movement desensitization reprocessing – is a form of psychotherapy designed to help people heal from trauma. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR doesn’t require reliving painful experiences in detail. Instead, EMDR for trauma often involves guided eye movements while processing traumatic memories, helping the brain to store those memories in a less distressing way.7
When someone experiences trauma, their brain may struggle to fully process what has happened. This can result in certain memories becoming “stuck,” triggering intense reactions. EMDR helps the brain revisit these memories safely so they can be reprocessed and cause less emotional intensity.
EMDR for PTSD is an evidence-based treatment, with multiple studies showing its effectiveness at symptom improvement in relatively short timeframes.8,9 It is also recognized as an effective treatment by organizations including the American Psychological Association (APA), the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and the World Health Organization (WHO).10
Now that EMDR has been introduced, you may be wondering what sessions are like or how the therapy is structured. We explore this in more detail next.
The Eight Phases of EMDR Treatment
EMDR therapy is a very structured approach, designed to support healing while prioritizing safety and emotional stability. EMDR consists of eight phases, which are broken down below.11
The EMDR 8 Phases
Phase 1: History-Taking and Treatment Planning
A full history is taken, and an assessment is carried out by your therapist or healthcare provider so that they can determine whether EMDR is likely to help you. This phase also involves working with your therapist to identify past memories, current triggers, or future goals for therapy to focus on.
Phase 2: Preparation and Establishing Safety
In this phase, your therapist will explain how EMDR works and what to expect during sessions. They will also help you develop healthier coping strategies to deal with stress and trauma, such as breathing techniques. This allows you to feel as safe, stable, and supported as possible during sessions.
Phase 3: Assessment and Identifying Target Memories
The assessment phase is where you identify specific memories or themes for processing. Your therapist can help you clarify negative beliefs that stem from the trauma, as well as positive beliefs you would like to develop in the future. This phase is designed to activate the traumatic memory and bring it into awareness.
Phase 4: Desensitization With Bilateral Stimulation
Throughout this phase, traumatic memories are processed using bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements.
Phase 5: Installation of Positive Beliefs
The fifth phase encourages you to focus on the preferred or ‘healthier’ belief you want to strengthen while reprocessing memories. This occurs while bilateral stimulation is being carried out.
Phase 6: Body Scan for Residual Tension
This phase aims to help identify and release any remaining physical tension linked to the traumatic memory. Your therapist will ask you to focus on how you feel in your body, scanning from head to toe. If any negative sensations are present, bilateral stimulation may continue until these sensations fade.
Phase 7: Closure and Stabilization
This phase ensures that sessions are brought to a safe close. You learn how to ground and stabilize yourself, especially between sessions, and can leave your session feeling calmer and safe.
Phase 8: Re-Evaluation In Subsequent Sessions
The final phase of EMDR therapy evaluates progress, often at the start of subsequent sessions. An evaluation helps your therapist to determine the pace of the sessions, whether additional sessions may be needed, or how to adjust goals or expectations you may have. They can also help you put a plan in place for the future so that you know how to handle things if times get tough.
As you may realize, these phases typically unfold over multiple sessions. For instance, phases one and two usually happen only in the earlier sessions, while phases three to eight form the majority of later sessions.
If this sounds overwhelming, please don’t worry: EMDR is a trauma-informed approach. This means sessions are carefully paced, with emphasis placed on safety, consent, and emotional stability. You can be assured that therapy sessions will progress at a pace that feels right for you.
Now that we’ve covered how EMDR is applied to trauma treatment, we can move on to discovering the powerful impact it may also have on addiction-related patterns.
How EMDR Helps Treat Addiction
Addiction and SUDs are often less about the substances themselves and more about what the chosen drug helps a person to escape. As we discovered earlier, trauma and pain may be the driving force for someone to use substances. So, even when someone becomes sober, they risk relapsing if the root cause hasn’t been addressed.
EMDR is a trauma informed addiction treatment focused on addressing the memories and triggers that fuel substance use. As trauma is reprocessed, the nervous system can relax, making cravings and urges feel more manageable over time.
But it isn’t just about reducing triggers. EMDR can also help people change deeply held beliefs that frequently accompany addiction, such as I’m broken or I can’t go a day without alcohol. When these beliefs lose their emotional impact, people often experience better self-worth, improved emotional regulation, and confidence in their ability to recover and stay sober.
You may be surprised to learn that EMDR can be used to treat more than just trauma and addictions. The following section takes a closer look at other mental health challenges that can benefit from this treatment.
Conditions We Treat With EMDR
We understand substance use may be triggered by underlying conditions other than trauma, which is why our Orange County addiction treatment center provides dual diagnosis treatment. This means that we can treat multiple mental health conditions simultaneously, such as dual diagnosis trauma, anxiety, or depression, alongside addiction.
We believe EMDR plays a vital role in addiction recovery, and there are many benefits to having integrated treatments that target multiple challenges at the same time. Also, research is now showing that EMDR for depression and EMDR for anxiety can be an effective treatment in terms of symptom reduction and relapse prevention.12,13
Some of the conditions we treat using EMDR include:
- PTSD
- Complex trauma
- Childhood trauma
- SUD with trauma history
- Anxiety and panic disorders
- Depression
- Phobias
- Grief and loss
If you’re considering treatment for addiction, remember that factors like location and quality of care matter, especially when trauma is involved. The next section provides an overview of our EMDR program in Orange County.
Our EMDR Program in Orange County
At A Better Life Recovery, we offer the focused care needed to break free from addiction and to heal from trauma.
At our Orange County facility, you’ll benefit from:
- An ideal recovery destination: Our welcoming residential centers are situated in beautiful Orange County, where you’ll find an active recovery community.
- Experienced clinical staff: Including a board-certified psychiatrist for medication management, EMDR-trained licensed therapists, and experienced addiction specialists and counselors.
- Safety: 24/7 on-site medical supervision and care, ensuring you receive the essential treatment you need in a supportive environment for trauma processing.
- Tailored treatment: Our dual diagnosis expertise means we provide truly integrated care and personalized treatment plans to address your unique needs. This includes access to a range of evidence-based therapies, such as EMDR, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and trauma-informed care.
- Veteran and first responder support: Our team is experienced in providing tailored treatment for first responders and military veterans, including complex trauma treatment.
- Inclusivity: Our centers are LGBTQIA+ friendly, and we offer gender-neutral areas, providing the support and privacy you need in a safe, healing environment.
Financial peace of mind is also important for recovery, which is why we accept many major insurance plans as well as offer payment plans. We also provide free, confidential insurance verification.
But what if you still have questions about treatment? The answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about EMDR are provided in the next section.
Take the Next Step Toward Healing
Are you ready to make changes? Taking the first step toward treatment can often feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Contact us online or via our 24/7 admissions helpline at (866) 710-9128 to arrange a free, confidential consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About EMDR for Addiction and Trauma
Does EMDR Really Work?
Yes, EMDR has been extensively researched and is recognized by the WHO, American Psychological Association, VA, and Department of Defense as an effective treatment for trauma and PTSD.
How Many EMDR Sessions Do I Need?
Often, single-incident trauma may resolve in 3-6 sessions, whereas complex trauma or multiple traumas typically require more sessions. Your therapist will create an individualized treatment plan based on your history, symptoms, and goals.
Is EMDR Painful or Scary?
EMDR can bring up difficult emotions, but your therapist will prepare you with coping skills first. Many clients find it less distressing than traditional talk therapy because you don’t have to describe trauma in detail.
Can EMDR Help With Addiction?
Yes, EMDR can be highly effective for addiction treatment, especially if trauma underlies substance use. It can also target cravings, triggers, and negative beliefs that fuel addiction.
Is EMDR Covered by Insurance?
Yes, EMDR is included in our addiction treatment program and covered by most insurance plans.
References
- National Governors Association. (2025, October 10). Addressing The Link Between Trauma And Addiction. https://www.nga.org/publications/addressing-the-link-between-trauma-and-addiction/
- Levin, Y., Bar-Or, R. L., Forer, R., Vaserman, M., Kor, A., & Lev-Ran, S. (2021). The association between type of trauma, level of exposure and addiction. Addictive Behaviors, 118, 106889. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2021.106889
- American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Trauma. Retrieved January 12, 2026, from https://www.apa.org/topics/trauma
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (2024). Traumatic Events and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd
- Berenz, E. (2025, March 11). 5 Ways trauma changes your brain and body (And how you can start taking back. Anxiety & Depression Association of America. control).https://adaa.org/learn-from-us/from-the-experts/blog-posts/consumer/ways-trauma-changes-your-brain-and-body
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). (2022, November 23). The Science of Drug Use: a resource for the Justice sector. National Institute on Drug Abuse. https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/criminal-justice/science-drug-use-resource-justice-sector
- American Psychological Association. (2025, April 1). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/treatments/eye-movement-reprocessing
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). (2025, September 26). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for PTSD. https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/txessentials/emdr
- Shapiro, F. (2014). The Role of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy in Medicine: Addressing the Psychological and Physical Symptoms Stemming from Adverse Life Experiences. The Permanente Journal, 18(1), 71–77. https://doi.org/10.7812/tpp/13-098
- EMDR International Association. (2025, June 16). About EMDR therapy. EMDR International Association. https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/
- American Psychological Association. (2023, November 20). Exploring the 8 phases of EMDR. https://www.apa.org/topics/psychotherapy/emdr-phases
- Altmeyer, S., Wollersheim, L., Kilian-Hütten, N., Behnke, A., Hofmann, A., & Tumani, V. (2022). Effectiveness of treating depression with eye movement desensitization and reprocessing among inpatients–A follow-up study over 12 months. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 937204. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.937204
- Rathschlag, M., & Memmert, D. (2014). Reducing anxiety and enhancing physical performance by using an advanced version of EMDR: a pilot study. Brain and Behavior, 4(3), 348–355. https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.221
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