Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy in the treatment of sugars addiction (a derivative of heroin) : gaining control over cue reactivity and cravings.

Abstract

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) developed by Francine Shapiro is an integrative psychotherapeutic approach that has been described as one of the most well researched forms of psychological treatment, however there are few empirical studies investigating the effects of EMDR therapy on addiction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of EMDR therapy on cravings and cue reactivity in sugars “heroin based” addicted persons and to determine whether the EMDR therapy process is useful in reducing or extinguishing the psycho physiologic intensity of a craving. This research attempted to fill the hiatus in the literature related to EMDR therapy in craving management, as well as a clearer understanding and management of the sugars scourge in KwaZulu-Natal. A quasi-experimental study with a control and experimental arm was conducted and supported with clinical interviews over different time periods. Seventy participants from the two inpatient rehabilitation facilities in KwaZulu-Natal were assigned to one of two therapeutic conditions, viz. EMDR therapy and relaxation training, of which 35 participants from one of the rehabilitation facilities received two sessions of EMDR therapy (experimental group) and 35 participants from an alternate facility received two sessions of relaxation training (control group). Non-parametrical statistics were used to analyse and compare the craving experiences of the experimental and control groups. The superiority of one treatment over the other could not be demonstrated suggesting that EMDR therapy and relaxation training tend to be equally efficacious in managing cue reactivity in sugars addicted persons. Whilst there were no statistical differences between the experimental and control group, the clinical interviews revealed that the EMDR therapy group participants were more confident about their recovery and more knowledgeable about the addictive processes that encouraged their continued use of sugars. Further research is needed with larger and varied samples to determine the superiority of the one treatment over the other. Whilst the findings of the present study cannot be generalized due to the small sample size, it has important clinical implications for craving management. It is hoped that the study will not only contribute to a greater understanding of the effects of the therapeutic processes in the treatment and management of cravings in sugars addicted persons but will also stimulate further research in this field.