Desensitizing Addiction: Using Eye Movements to Reduce the Intensity of Substance-Related Mental Imagery and Craving

Frontiers in Psychiatry
Marianne LittelIris M Engelhard

Abstract

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is an effective treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder. During this treatment, patients recall traumatic memories while making horizontal eye movements (EM). Studies have shown that EM not only desensitize negative memories but also positive memories and imagined events. Substance use behavior and craving are maintained by maladaptive memory associations and visual imagery. Preliminary findings have indicated that these mental images can be desensitized by EMDR techniques. We conducted two proof-of-principle studies to investigate whether EM can reduce the sensory richness of substance-related mental representations and accompanying craving levels. We investigated the effects of EM on (1) vividness of food-related mental imagery and food craving in dieting and non-dieting students and (2) vividness of recent smoking-related memories and cigarette craving in daily smokers. In both experiments, participants recalled the images while making EM or keeping eyes stationary. Image vividness and emotionality, image-specific craving and general craving were measured before and after the intervention. As a behavioral outcome measure, participants in study 1 were offered a snack ch...Continue Reading

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Citations

Dec 27, 2016·Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research·Jason M CoatesJason P Connor
Oct 19, 2017·European Journal of Psychotraumatology·Marianne LittelMarcel A van den Hout
Jan 29, 2019·CNS Spectrums·Julie L JiMartina Di Simplicio

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Software Mentioned

EMDR
OpenSesame

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