Rewiring the Addicted Brain: An EMDR-Based Treatment Model for Overcoming Addictive Disorders

by Laurel Parnell

As a clinical psychologist specializing in the treatment of trauma, Dr. Laurel Parnell has found that many people who have suffered the effects of trauma use addictive substances or behaviors in an effort to relieve their pain.

In Rewiring the Addicted Brain, Dr. Parnell applies her extensive expertise in Attachment- Focused EMDR and Resource Tapping to the clinical challenge of addictions recovery. It is filled with brain-wise, compassionate, resilience-supporting EMDR-based techniques that can be easily integrated into all levels of addictions treatment.

Therapists and substance abuse counselors will find this a useful guidebook to help them navigate the difficult and complex terrain of addiction treatment—one that recognizes and addresses trauma and integrates repair of attachment deficits.

Case material is interwoven throughout the text; also included are chapters presenting in-depth cases which illustrate the techniques. These cases include history and background of the clients as well as actual sessions employing the interventions specific to rewiring the addicted brain.

Genres: Psychology, Addiction

338 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 26, 2018

Reviews

[Morgan Blackledge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review under construction.

I’m giving the book a total re-read.

Stand by.....

Reread (1/10/20)

Ok.

My first read was off due to lack of training and experience with the EMDR model.

I was initially put off by the imaginal resourcing described in the book.

I have always been resistant to positive affirmations and guided imagery, and the emphasis on those types of resources in Laurel Parnell’s work made me feel uneasy.

I now understand the importance of the resourcing aspects of EMDR.

Simply put.

If you don’t have positive resources installed, than you don’t have anywhere new to go after you reprocess.

On my second read I am very impressed with the book.

Particularly the ‘connecting the consequences’ protocol that installs negative outcomes into euphoric recall ideations.

Super powerful!!!

I’d love to start integrating this stuff but I think I’m going to need specific training on Parnell’s methodology.

Why 4 stars?

Not sure 🤔

The book felt tedious in areas.

I felt impatient to get through it.

Even though EMDR and recovery are my obsession at the moment.

So 4.5 ⭐️‘s

[Lance Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d read anything by Laurel Parnell. One of the things she does best in her books is to empower the reader to feel competent and prepared to integrate techniques and insights that she provides in her book. This is another great read and well worth your time if you use EMDR with clients.

[Rhea · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a generous, loving way to treat addiction. I’m excited to try this with my patients.

[Jillybb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Similar to the book based on attachment theory, now applied to addiction. I disagree with the notion that the treatment of addiction should only be based on healing the trauma assumed to be underlying it. You also need to add techniques of behavioral control and motivational interviewing.

[Loula J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great practical resource!

[Ryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good bunch of tools for the EMDR toolbox. The connecting the consequences protocol is particularly helpful.

[Jessica Brazeal Slaven · Rating 4 out of 5]

EMDR therapists that work with addiction (or who want to be able to!), this is a helpful resource. Lots of possible resources to install and the Connecting the Consequences protocol feels useful.