In this part of your EMDR for Addiction Session, you will use the EMDR Session Tool a second time, but this time, instead of focusing on your Positive Treatment Goal, you will bring your addiction to the forefront of your thoughts by mentally focusing on your Addiction Triggers. WHAT ARE YOUR ADDICTION TRIGGERS?Your Addiction Triggers are learned responses that have helped you cope with discomfort and anxiety in your life.
Your triggers may be a person or a place, a feeling or an event, a smell or taste, or almost any life situation. Many will already know what their triggers are because they’ve been living with them for such a long time.
Imagine, as specifically as possible, some of the things that Trigger you to want to use or act out in your addiction. SAMPLE ADDICTION TRIGGERS
USE THE EMDR SESSION TOOL
Now that you have selected your Addiction Triggers, it is time to again access the EMDR Session Tools.
Pick a session tool and use it for at least 2 minutes, and up to as many as ten minutes while mentally focusing on your Addiction Trigger. You may choose to work with one or more than one set of Addiction Triggers per EMDR session, or you can work with different triggers in different sessions over time. There is no wrong way to do EMDR, so start with some of the more obvious Addiction Triggers and as you get better at using the EMDR for Addiction Program, experiment with other Addiction Triggers as well. Consider using the EMDR Session Tools only in short bursts of 30 seconds or 1 or 2 minutes at a time followed by short 10 second breaks. This allows you to give your eyes, ears, and nervous system a quick rest during your session. Try to use the Session Tool until your desire to use or act out in your addiction drops to a 0,1, or 2 on a scale of 0-10. This means you are ready to move on to the next step. While using EMDR, old and long forgotten memories may surface. Continue to just focus on the tones and moving light-there is no wrong way to react to the new stimulus. Allow your mind to drift to any memories, thoughts, feelings, or images related to your Addiction Triggers. Begin using the EMDR for Addiction Session Tool now. When you are finished, return to this web page and follow the link to IV) ADDICTION INSTALL EMOTION-STATE. If you are unsure how to find your Addiction Triggers, you can learn more at the ADDICTION-UNDERSTANDING KEY CONCEPTS page.
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