# EMDR Addresses Two Distinct Targets in Addiction

- URL: https://alisanburak.com/en/emdr-bagimlilikta-iki-ayri-hedefe-calisir
- Language: en
- Last updated: 2026-08-15
- Page title: EMDR Addresses Two Distinct Targets in Addiction | Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alişan Burak Yaşar

> Of 150 patients admitted to an addiction unit, 94% had a history of at least one traumatic event. Trauma is not the exception here. EMDR is used in two dif

This page was translated automatically from Turkish. [Read the original](https://alisanburak.com/emdr-bagimlilikta-iki-ayri-hedefe-calisir)

[← Back to blog](https://alisanburak.com/en/blog)

# EMDR Addresses Two Distinct Targets in Addiction

August 12, 2026Recent Articles

Of 150 patients admitted to an addiction unit, 94% had a history of at least one traumatic event. Trauma is not the exception here.

EMDR is used in two different ways in addiction treatment. The first is trauma-focused EMDR: the traumatic memory itself is processed using the standard eight-phase protocol. The second is addiction-focused EMDR: the targets are triggers, craving, and the network of substance-related memories. DeTUR, CravEx, FSAP, and PEIA are protocols in this second group.

The mechanism relies on working memory. In a meta-analysis pooling 53 laboratory studies, performing a second task, such as eye movements,
while recalling a memory reduced both its vividness and its emotional intensity. The same effect was demonstrated for smoking-related imagery, but under laboratory conditions it had disappeared after one week.

The evidence must be interpreted honestly. In a meta-analysis of 14 studies, EMDR showed a moderate effect on craving (g = 0.55), but no significant difference
in addiction severity was found (g = 0.14). In the largest randomized trial in alcohol use disorder, involving 109 patients, addiction-focused EMDR provided no additional benefit over treatment as usual. By contrast, the picture changes with comorbid PTSD: in a randomized trial involving 209 patients, EMDR added to addiction treatment significantly reduced PTSD severity without worsening substance use.

Clinical summary: screen for trauma at the start of treatment, use trauma-focused EMDR if comorbid PTSD is present, consider craving modules as an adjunct,
and continue standard addiction treatment.

[For scientific sources → CLICK HERE](https://alisanburak.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/EMDR-bagimlilik-protokolleri.pptx)

[← Previous Hearing Loss Is One of the Biggest Modifiable Risk Factors for Dementia](https://alisanburak.com/en/isitme-kaybi-demansin-en-buyuk-degistirilebilir-risk-faktorlerinden-biridir)[Next → Mood Improves. But Not in Proportion to Weight Lost](https://alisanburak.com/en/ruh-hali-duzeliyor-ama-kaybedilen-kiloyla-orantili-degil)

---

Kaynak / Source: https://alisanburak.com/en/emdr-bagimlilikta-iki-ayri-hedefe-calisir

İletişim / Contact: Bağdat Caddesi, Veli Güneysu Apt. No:453 K:4 D:9, Suadiye / Kadıköy, İstanbul · +90 532 642 95 25 · info@alisanburak.com · https://alisanburak.com/bagdat-caddesi-psikoterapi-iletisim