Effective Co-treatment of Addiction and Trauma Disorders for Saudis at The Cabin Chiang Mai

According to a 2012 report by Current Psychiatry Reports Journal, ‘over half the individuals seeking treatment for addiction meet the criteria for current PTSD.’ The report also states that people with PTSD have a significantly lower success rate when it comes to addiction recovery.

At The Cabin Chiang Mai, we offer an integrated treatment model implemented by trauma-trained counsellors that co-treats addiction and trauma disorders, including PTSD. The model incorporates mindfulness, trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR).

What is Trauma?

The word trauma often conjures up extreme images of violence, war or disaster. However, trauma can refer to any situation that is emotionally painful or distressing. This can include abuse, betrayal, heartbreak or loss of any kind.

Anything that overwhelms the individual and has a lasting, negative effect on the way they relate to themselves or others is considered trauma. All types of trauma can be identified and resolved through our Trauma Treatment Programme.

What is Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can result from experiencing or witnessing distressful events. It can develop after a life-threatening situation such as combat, a car crash or an assault. It can also result from anything that threatens your well-being or sense of control over your own surroundings such as sexual, physical or psychological abuse, infidelity or relational trauma.

Symptoms of PTSD Include:

• Reliving the event
• Avoiding situations that remind you of the event
• Negative changes in belief and feelings
• Hyperactivity or hyper vigilance
• Susceptibility to addiction and mood disorders

How Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy Works

EMDR is a treatment designed to help heal from the symptoms and emotional distress associated with traumatic experiences. It is now widely recognised as having Level 1 evidence for its clinical efficacy in the treatment of PTSD.

EMDR incorporates eye movements (and other forms of bilateral stimulation) into a range of standardised psychological procedures to stimulate neural pathways that help the brain contextualise information. The goal is to use eye movements to help access and resolve unprocessed associations and feelings attached to the memories surrounding disturbing events. Successful treatment reformulates negative beliefs and creates new, more positive associations.

Studies show that in as few as eight sessions of EMDR, clients can experience the benefits of psychotherapy that previously took years to accomplish.

EMDR therapy is recommended by some of the most reputable mental health organisations in the world and mounting evidence supports its clinical efficacy across a wide range of psychopathologies.