Neurofeedback offers you a renewed understanding of how your brain works in addiction and recovery.
The Journal of Clinical Psychology published a report in 1995 concerning a study of several individuals addicted to alcohol who also exhibited depressive symptoms. The purpose of the study was to treat the experimental group with brainwave neurofeedback training. The result was incredibly positive. After 20-40 minute sessions, the individuals exhibited drastic reductions in depressive symptoms as well as symptoms of other undesirable feeling and thinking. After almost two years, these individuals were still showing incredibly low rates of relapse. (Saxby & Peniston, 1995)
In another, more recent study (2013) neurofeedback proved itself again in the treatment of opioid addiction. Almost all individuals whose treatment involved biofeedback were able to report less depression, lower risks for relapse, and so on. (Dehghani-Arani)
Perhaps this word “Neurofeedback” is new to you. It sounds so technical, but its process is relatively simple to understand- when a person is undergoing neurofeedback therapy (sometimes also referred to as EEG Biofeedback) they are watching their brain function in real time. To sum it up, “the body has a very powerful mechanism (self-regulation) that assists us with adapting to new situations and challenges. Even though it does not always choose the best solution to rise to the occasion, the brain has an incredible capacity to learn from experience. In this case, neurofeedback provides an experience to the brain of how it can function better. Given a choice, the body will always choose to keep that which helps it maintain better equilibrium or homeostasis.”
Does neurofeedback cure chronic relapse?
As you are researching drug or alcohol addiction treatment and begin to notice that neurofeedback is part of select programs, you may want to know, “does it work?” Some treatment centers might tell you that it is the only key to curing addiction and avoiding relapse. However, a comprehensive holistic treatment center like Gulf Breeze Recovery will have you know that you aren’t broken in the first place; therefore, there is nothing to “cure.” Neurofeedback doesn’t cure anything; it provides you with the information and the skillset that you need to understand your own brain and make necessary changes.
Neurofeedback uncovers information and self-regulating mechanisms you may have never attained otherwise and offers you a renewed understanding of how your brain works in addiction and recovery. This information is especially helpful in the treatment of chronic relapse, because it teaches us something about ourselves that we may have never known before: that we are the masters of our brains, not the other way around.
The five stages of our THRIVE program make Gulf Breeze Recovery unique! Neurofeedback is just another cutting edge techique we use!
With Gulf Breeze Recovery’s THRIVE® program, neurofeedback is just one of the many active threads that contribute to the tapestry of healthy, long-lasting recovery. With what is considered the “Transformational” vs. the “Traditional” approach, many who are stuck in the cycles of addiction and relapse will find that the non-12 step methodology is precisely what they needed all along.
If you or a loved one are considering rehabilitation services, please don’t hesitate to contact us or call: (855) 433-4480. Our highly-trained and skilled staff are eager to speak with you and answer any questions you may have.
Saxby, E., & Peniston, E. G. (1995). Alpha-theta brainwave neurofeedback training: An effective treatment for male and female alcoholics with depressive symptoms. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 51(5), 685-693. doi:10.1002/1097-4679(199509)51:5<685::AID-JCLP2270510514>3.0.CO;2-K Dehghani-Arani, F., Rostami, R., & Nadali, H. (2013). Neurofeedback training for opiate addiction: Improvement of mental health and craving. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback, (38), 133-141. doi:10.1007/s10484-013-9218-5
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