The agony of past hurts, cravings, and dependence cannot be undone on his or her own. Wound tightly in his or her brain and body, is harmful, unprocessed emotional pain. Some recognizable and some hidden from their conscious selves for far too long.
Whatever the addiction–internet gaming, gambling, or porn; drinking too much; drugging dangerously; or sexually acting out–the root and results are the same. Trauma that won’t let go.
An addict also knows overwhelm. His or her life is unmanageable without help. Neither the emotional pain nor the dependency that accompanies it just goes away. Nothing improves without stabilizing support and a real, working plan.
The benefits of brainspotting are proven. It is worthwhile and effective brain-based addiction therapy. Why? Let’s see:
7 Important benefits of Brainspotting for Treating Addiction
1. Timely treatment.
Treatment that focuses solely on talk therapy and slow gains is not always the best course for addicts. Brainspotting is an efficient treatment. It doesn’t dwell on the past as much as it identifies and processes. In addition, results show that brainspotting makes progress in just a few meetings. This pace is extremely important for an addict struggling with the motivation and self-control that must accompany intentional sobriety.
2. Emotional distress is alleviated through awareness and an improved ability to cope.
Brainspotting makes participants aware of connections between where they look and how they feel. Their gaze connects to their trauma or current stress. Also, addicts feel more in control and less victimized by circumstances throughout treatment. That awareness fosters an increased inner ability to recognize negative feelings and more productively self-soothe.
3. Negativity and irrational beliefs are reduced.
Addiction is rooted in overreaction. Brainspotting improves an addict’s ability to control his or her impulsive responses. This therapy allows healing to begin and progress more readily as it helps the addict obtain some clarity about emotional and physical triggers. Furthermore, limiting thought patterns and overreactions are recognized and relieved.
4. The addict’s pain is validated.
Some trauma isn’t shared in a support group. Not because an addict is holding back. The trauma is stored too deeply inside. For the most part, brainspotting helps an addicted person identify, process, and release suffering and symptoms he or she may not have ever reached cognitively or with talk therapy.
5. Peace and a sense of proactive forward movement occur.
An addict, primarily focused on talk therapy, may feel stifled by unhappy memories and perpetual trauma talk. Moreover, positivity and resolution may feel out of reach a good deal of the time. Exploring bodily release and the deeper, intuitive recognition of trauma, feels proactive and progressive. As brain spots are actively discovered, employed and used meaningfully, the addict feels hope for his or her future.
6. Better sleep and increased energy.
An addicted person lives by their cravings. Thus, the substance or activity dictates everything. When brainspotting begins to break that hold on his or her life, the ability to rest returns. That bodily tension associated with trauma wanes and sleep can fully restore the body. Energy and vigor return naturally.
7. A rise in resilience.
Addiction is dependency. Dependence and resilience are not friends. Brainspotting gives addicts the tools to access and neutralize their responses to discomfort and upset. They have tools to reprocess their pasts. Their brains will no longer link painful feelings to self-destructive behaviors or unhealthy, automatic reaction. Essentially, they can more effectively choose to bounce back and move on, rather than become frozen in fight-or-flight mode, when everyday life becomes disappointing or difficult.
Addiction convinces you to want to stay sick. Brainspotting helps the mind and body want to heal again.
If you or someone you know needs help please don’t wait. Reach out, ask an experienced therapist about this treatment. Recovery can happen with the right plan and the right support.
