Trauma and substance use disorder frequently co-occur — addressing trauma directly can be an important part of treatment for some people, though timing and approach matter.
Why trauma matters here: Adverse childhood experiences and trauma are significant risk factors for substance use disorder [link to ACEs article], and unaddressed trauma can undermine recovery even when substance use itself is being treated effectively.
What EMDR is: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing — a specific, structured trauma therapy approach using guided eye movements or other bilateral stimulation while processing traumatic memories, with a substantial evidence base for PTSD specifically.
Timing matters: Trauma-focused work, including EMDR, is generally more effective and safer once someone has some stability in their substance use treatment — diving into intensive trauma processing while still in acute withdrawal or early, unstable treatment can be destabilizing rather than helpful. This is a conversation to have directly with a trauma-informed therapist about timing.
Finding the right provider: Look specifically for a therapist trained in both trauma-focused approaches (EMDR or other evidence-based trauma therapies) and substance use disorder — the combination matters more than either alone.
Medically reviewed by [pending]. Sources: EMDR International Association, research literature on co-occurring trauma and substance use disorder.