Treating Addictions with EMDR Therapy and the Stages of Change

Mental health practitioners must be prepared to treat addiction-related issues-affecting up to 50% of mental health clients-whether or not clients present with addiction as a primary concern. This practical roadmap to the treatment of addictions advocates an underutilized-yet highly effective-method of intervention: EMDR. It is the first book to integrate the stages of change model with EMDR's phases for successful treatment outcome. It addresses the scope of problems relating to addiction, including relevant statistics and descriptions of substance and process addictions, and considers the connection between addiction and trauma.

The authors describe in detail the Transtheoretical Model, tracing its development and theoretical foundations. They discuss each of its stages in depth, presenting and integrating EMDR interventions used by therapists in each stage. The interventions are useful for helping clients at any motivational level. Case vignettes in each chapter illustrate how EMDR techniques are used, and several detailed cases are provided at the end of the book. Traditional models for treating addictions are also included. The appendix features additional resources and EMDR protocols. The text will be useful for therapists currently using EMDR for addiction treatment as well as those using other modalities who are seeking an effective alternative.