How EMDR Therapy Helps with Addiction Recovery

Addiction is a complex and multifaceted condition that often stems from underlying trauma and unresolved emotional pain. Many individuals struggle to break free from the cycle of addiction, not just because of their dependence on substances, but because their emotional wounds continue to drive destructive behaviors. EMDR for addiction offers a unique and powerful way to address these emotional triggers, reprocessing trauma that often fuels addictive behaviors.

Here, we’ll explore how EMDR therapy for addiction works, its effectiveness in the recovery process, and how it helps individuals heal from the root causes of their addiction.

What is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy technique that helps individuals process and integrate traumatic memories. It is particularly effective in treating individuals who suffer from trauma-informed care and have experienced significant emotional wounds that contribute to addiction. The therapy involves using bilateral stimulation (often through guided eye movements) while the patient recalls traumatic memories. This process helps to reprocess the trauma in a way that reduces its emotional charge, making it easier for the person to cope with these memories in a healthier way.

When it comes to EMDR for addiction, this therapy is used to identify and address the deep-rooted emotional triggers that contribute to substance use. Often, people with addiction turn to substances as a way to numb or escape from painful memories or emotions. By reprocessing these memories and reducing the emotional pain attached to them, EMDR helps individuals break the cycle of addiction and develop healthier coping skills for substance abuse.

How EMDR Helps with Addiction Recovery

Addiction often has underlying causes such as past trauma, abuse, or compulsive behavior that drives the need to self-medicate. EMDR for addiction works by identifying these triggers and helping individuals process the emotions linked to their past experiences.

Through the EMDR protocol for addiction, therapists help clients reframe their trauma-related memories, reducing their emotional intensity. This reprocessing helps individuals avoid the patterns of substance abuse that arise when painful memories or emotional triggers come to the surface.

Some of the ways EMDR for addiction aids in recovery include:

• Reducing the emotional impact of trauma: Many individuals with addiction carry unresolved emotional pain from past traumatic experiences. EMDR therapy for addiction targets these memories, allowing individuals to process and move past them without the overwhelming emotional charge that often triggers substance use.
• Improving emotional regulation: Once traumatic memories are reprocessed, individuals are better able to regulate their emotions. This helps them deal with stress, anxiety, and emotional triggers in healthier ways, reducing the need for substances as a coping mechanism.
• Addressing the root cause of addiction: Instead of simply treating the symptoms of addiction, EMDR for addiction works to uncover and heal the root causes. Many individuals struggling with addiction have experienced trauma, whether in childhood or as adults. EMDR directly targets these issues, helping individuals heal from the inside out.

EMDR for Sex Addiction

Addiction is not limited to substances alone. EMDR for sex addiction can be particularly helpful for individuals who use sex as a way to cope with trauma or emotional pain. Just like substance addiction, sex addiction can stem from unresolved emotional issues. EMDR therapy for addiction can help individuals address the trauma that fuels their compulsive sexual behaviors, allowing them to regain control and form healthier relationships with themselves and others.

Integrating EMDR into a Holistic Addiction Treatment Plan

While EMDR for addiction can be highly effective in treating trauma, it is often most effective when integrated into a comprehensive holistic drug rehab plan. At Integrative Life Center, we combine EMDR therapy with evidence-based addiction treatment and holistic treatment approaches to support the whole person. This includes addressing both the physical and emotional components of addiction through a combination of therapy, support groups, and wellness practices like yoga and nutrition.

Incorporating EMDR therapy for addiction into a residential treatment setting provides individuals with the focused care they need to process their trauma while receiving the support and structure necessary to overcome addiction. This combination of therapies ensures that individuals have the tools they need to heal, rebuild, and maintain long-term sobriety.

How EMDR Supports Treatment Goals for Substance Abuse

The main goal of EMDR for addiction is to help individuals break free from the emotional triggers that drive their substance use. Through trauma resolution and emotional processing, individuals are empowered to develop healthier coping mechanisms. This directly supports treatment goals for substance abuse, such as:

• Building emotional resilience: By healing from trauma, individuals are better equipped to handle the ups and downs of life without turning to substances.
• Improving self-awareness and insight: As clients process their trauma, they gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their behaviors, which helps them maintain sobriety.
• Creating lasting behavioral change: Reprocessing the emotional root causes of addiction helps individuals create new, healthier patterns of behavior that support long-term recovery.

Finding the Right Therapy and Recovery for You

EMDR for addiction is a powerful therapeutic tool that helps individuals heal from the trauma and emotional pain that often contribute to substance use. By reprocessing traumatic memories and reducing the emotional charge of these experiences, EMDR helps individuals break free from the cycle of addiction and build a healthier, sober life.

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction and trauma, EMDR therapy may be the key to unlocking lasting recovery. At Integrative Life Center, we offer EMDR for addiction as part of our comprehensive treatment approach, combining it with trauma-informed care, holistic rehab center services, and dual diagnosis treatment for those who need it.

To learn more about how EMDR therapy can support your recovery, or to explore our substance abuse recovery programs, contact us today at (615) 891-2226. 

The post How EMDR Therapy Helps with Addiction Recovery appeared first on Integrative Life Center.

source https://integrativelifecenter.com/treatment-programs/how-emdr-therapy-helps-with-addiction-recovery/

Out of State Rehab: Why Travel for Addiction Treatment?

Have you realized that addiction is controlling your life? If so, you likely have the goal of going to rehab this year. Searching for rehab options may have even led you here. While you may consider looking at options in your local area, it can actually be better at times to choose an out of state rehab center for your recovery. Here’s why:

Why Out of State Rehab is So Ideal

It’s not just for those who have the travel bug. Instead of solely focusing on rehab facilities in your region, you need to understand why addiction rehab out of state can often be the more beneficial route. No matter if it’s drugs, alcohol, porn, sex, or an eating disorder, here are some key reasons why out of state rehab for addictions can be so worthwhile:

Rehab Out of State Makes It Easier to Focus

Sure, a local treatment center may be more comfortable and convenient at times. However, there are some real challenges you have to deal with at a facility in your area. Your family, friends, routine, work, and demands at home are all nearby, meaning that there will be potential distractions that can get in the way of your treatment. Not only this, but it can get too easy to drop out of rehab impulsively when things get tough. You’re overcoming an addiction, after all. 

When you’re participating in an out of state rehab program however, you’re naturally forced to be more intentional with your treatment. And this extra focus really helps your recovery journey. Just think about it: you’ve come from far away to travel for rehab, so you’re less tempted to quit impulsively. The distractions and obligations of home are also out of reach, making it easier to stay focused and prioritize your treatment. 

You Can Leave a Challenging Environment Behind

A local rehab center will mean your friends, family, acquaintances, and work colleagues are all nearby. For many addicts, these relationships have continued to enable their addictive behaviors. And as long as these influential factors remain close, you’re more easily exposed to the triggers that can tempt you to continue your addiction. If this is the case, it’s critical to step away from these negative environments during treatment, especially in your recovery’s infancy. This is a big reason why out of state drug rehab can be so helpful. You can put great distance between yourself and your tempting, challenging environment. Plus, you can trade that environment in for a more helpful, encouraging, and positive one at an out of state rehab center. 

Your Recovery Stays Private

Here’s the honest truth: there’s nothing to be ashamed of in pursuing recovery. With that said, it’s often the societal stigma that comes from going to rehab that can keep many people from ever getting the help they need. If you’re someone who struggles with this yourself, choosing a local rehab center will always keep you looking over your shoulder. You don’t want to deal with the stress and distractions of wondering if someone you know will find out. Rehab out of state, however, will give you some much-needed privacy. Since you’re not worried about being “found out,” you can feel at ease as you leave those fears behind and focus on your recovery. 

You Have More (And Better) Rehab Options

Addiction, if left untreated, can ruin your life. But with the right rehab facility, you can reclaim your life and achieve lasting sobriety. Considering that the stakes are this high, you deserve the best rehab facility out there. But if you limit your choices to what’s in your area, you may miss out on true healing. 

On the other hand, expanding your search to out of state rehab options ensures you’re considering only the best treatment centers. This can be especially important if your situation is more complex, such as struggling with co-occurring disorders. Having the ability to choose the right treatment option (especially the best dual diagnosis rehab centers) increases your odds of long-term recovery. 

Considering Out of State Rehab? Come to Nashville, TN

If you’re exploring rehab out of state, why not consider rehabs in Nashville, TN? Nashville is a city where people want to be. According to the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, Nashville grew by 83 people each day in 2023. Being in a thriving city abuzz with activity can provide the energy and inspiration you need to stay the course in your treatment. Plus, you can experience so much of what Nashville has to offer as you advance into partial hospitalization (PHP) and outpatient treatment programming. It’s known as Music City, after all. 

At Integrative Life Center in Nashville, TN, we provide some of the best addiction and dual diagnosis treatment in the country. In fact, clients like you travel from out of state just to experience our holistic, personalized rehab programs, which include:

• Alcohol addiction treatment
• Drug addiction treatment
• Prescription opioid addiction treatment
• Mental health treatment 
• Intimacy disorder treatment
• Eating disorder treatment

Our treatment facilities are located in the heart of Nashville’s historic Music Row, as well as in Tennessee’s rolling, secluded hills on the outskirts of the city. Contact our team today to learn more about what we treat.

The post Out of State Rehab: Why Travel for Addiction Treatment? appeared first on Integrative Life Center.

source https://integrativelifecenter.com/treatment-programs/out-of-state-rehab-why-travel-for-addiction-treatment/

Health Benefits of Not Drinking Alcohol: How Your Body Heals

What may have started as a way to unwind after a long day or a bonding experience with friends can sometimes spiral into alcohol abuse: unintentionally drinking more than you wanted, struggling with frequent hangovers, missing school or work because of the effects of alcohol. While these are extreme examples, even if you do not fit all of the official criteria for alcohol use disorder, every drinker can experience the benefits of not drinking alcohol.

Alcohol’s Effect on the Body and Mind

Drinking alcohol even in small amounts can give a person a feeling of relaxation and can lower inhibitions. This is due to the presence of ethanol, a psychoactive and toxic substance. 

While no amount of alcohol is completely risk-free, heavy or frequent drinking has negative effects on the body. Beyond the headache and nausea of a hangover, it affects every part of the body. Heavy alcohol consumption over time has been linked to cancer, brain damage, and cardiovascular problems, as well as liver disease and a weakened immune system. Moderate to heavy alcohol consumption has also been linked to undesired weight gain: eating habits induced by drinking are often unhealthy, and alcohol itself is high in calories.

Beyond these serious physical issues, drinking alcohol negatively impacts your sleep, skin, and even sex drive. It has been linked to depression and lack of energy as well. It can increase your risk of accidents since it impairs judgment, harming you or others. Alcohol consumption can also negatively impact your finances, with more money going towards procuring drinks than perhaps you intended.

Health Benefits of Not Drinking Alcohol

Even a moderate drinker can experience the benefits of not drinking alcohol. Though it may take time to get the toxins fully out of your system, you can expect many improvements in your body and mind. 

Skin

Alcohol dries out your body. Not drinking allows your skin to re-hydrate, looking more youthful, glowing, and healthy. It can also cause a decrease in blemishes and dry spots.

Sleep

While some people use alcohol to help them fall asleep, it is not good at keeping you asleep. After it is metabolized, you will have fitful periods of wakefulness, leading to grogginess and exhaustion the next day. Among other benefits of not drinking alcohol is better-quality sleep.

Weight Loss

Another benefit of not drinking alcohol can be weight loss. Anecdotal evidence indicates that alcohol consumption is associated with unwanted weight gain, either from the unhealthy eating habits brought on by a couple of beers, the calories in alcohol itself, or a combination. Quitting drinking can help you get to your desired weight.

Mental Health

Heavy alcohol consumption has a negative effect on your mental health. It’s impacts on your body, mind, and sleep combine to create a perfect storm for depression and anxiety. It can numb emotions, making it harder to deal with life’s problems. Quitting alcohol can increase self-esteem and open up the tools you need to address issues rather than hiding from them.

Benefits of Not Drinking Alcohol Timeline

These desired benefits of not drinking alcohol do not happen overnight, but you will start to notice positive effects even after one day. While everyone’s body is different, a timeline for recovery often looks like this:

After 1-3 Days

Especially for those struggling with alcohol use disorder and entering long-term alcohol rehab, this can be the roughest part. Lingering hangovers, withdrawal symptoms, or even (in severe cases) delirium tremens are all part of the body de-toxifying itself. It’s important to remember that some alcohol withdrawal symptoms are dangerous and are best experienced under the care of a residential addiction treatment program.

Some people will experience mood swings, fitful sleep, and anxiety during these first few days as their bodies learn to stop relying on alcohol. 

After One Week

The worst of the withdrawal symptoms should have faded now, and the body’s repair work can begin. The liver will begin to heal, and risks of developing cardiovascular disease will begin to go down. You may even start to notice improvements in your skin, energy, sleep, and digestion.

After One Month

You should really start feeling the positive benefits now. Anxiety and depression will lessen, and the brain will begin to repair itself. Blood pressure should also have normalized.

After 6 Months – 1 Year

Risks of developing alcohol-related diseases have now gone way down, and you will begin to feel more creative, energetic, and fulfilled in relationships. You are well on your way to an alcohol-free life and all the benefits it includes.

How to Stop Drinking Alcohol

Deciding to stop drinking alcohol is a significant step toward improving your health and well-being. Here are some effective strategies to help you on your journey:

1. Set Clear Goals: Determine your reasons for wanting to stop drinking and set specific, achievable goals. Whether you want to quit entirely or reduce your consumption, having a clear intention can motivate you to stay on track.
2. Understand Your Triggers: Identify situations, emotions, or people that trigger your desire to drink. Once you understand these triggers, you can develop strategies to avoid or manage them effectively.
3. Seek Support: Reach out to friends, family, or support groups who can provide encouragement and understanding. Consider talking to a professional counselor or therapist who specializes in addiction for personalized guidance.
4. Explore Alternatives: Find enjoyable non-alcoholic beverages or activities that don’t revolve around drinking. Engaging in hobbies, exercise, or social events can help fill the void left by alcohol.
5. Consider Professional Treatment: If you find stopping drinking particularly challenging, look into specialized treatment options. Facilities like Integrative Life Center offer holistic recovery programs designed to address the unique challenges faced by individuals dealing with alcohol use.

By implementing these strategies and seeking the right support, you can take meaningful steps toward stopping drinking and building a healthier, more fulfilling life.

Get Help Today for Alcohol Addiction

Are you interested in pursuing the benefits of not drinking alcohol? You do not have to take this journey alone. Consider the support of an alcohol addiction treatment program. A holistic treatment program will address not only the alcohol abuse but also its root causes, providing the emotional, spiritual, and physical support you need to recover. Many programs use trauma informed care to help you find true healing.

Alcohol Addiction Recovery in Nashville, TN

The Integrative Life Center in Nashville, TN, can help you start your journey to recovery. Consult our addiction treatment guide to discover the programs we offer. Our trauma informed therapists will guide you through the healing process, and our holistic treatment for alcoholism includes everything from nutrition support to yoga to talk therapy and trauma coping strategies. If you or a loved one is ready to explore the benefits of not drinking alcohol, give us a call today at (615) 610-5399.

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Porn Addiction Symptoms, Explained

Maybe you’re taking a long look in the mirror as you reflect upon your porn watching habits these past few months. Or perhaps you’re wondering if your husband is addicted to porn based on something you found on a device at home. Whether it’s you or someone you love, a porn addiction is a serious matter. That’s why it’s important to know what porn addiction symptoms look like so you can take steps to get help before the addiction gets worse. 

What is Porn Addiction? 

About 70% of American men and 40% of American women will view porn in a given year, shares Brigham Young University. Watching porn doesn’t mean you have a porn addiction. However, there is a point on the porn consumption spectrum where it has the capability to take over your life. So, don’t believe the resources out there that say porn addiction isn’t real. 

A porn habit can eventually spiral into compulsive sexual behavior, meaning you’ve become emotionally dependent on porn to function. When this happens, you’re watching porn so much that it negatively impacts your work, health, finances, and relationships. You may want to stop watching it, but you can’t. 

When you realize what porn does to your brain, you begin to understand why it can be addictive. As porn is viewed, your brain releases the feel-good chemical dopamine. This chemical signals to you that porn is a rewarding, pleasurable experience, so you want to seek it out again in the future. And because of porn’s constant presence in this digital age, it’s easy to find. Yet the more you watch it, the more your brain gets accustomed to the dopamine it produces. Unfortunately, however, you start to get desensitized to this routine rush of dopamine, so you need to watch even more porn to achieve the same fix. And eventually, you’re demonstrating notable porn addiction signs as you consume it over and over again.

Common Porn Addiction Symptoms and Signs

Porn addiction is a form of hypersexual disorder, marked by uncontrollable sexual thoughts, urges, fantasies, or behaviors. Consequently, there are some telltale porn addiction symptoms that you can look out for if you’re concerned about yourself or your loved one. Typically, these signs and symptoms of porn addiction can include:

• Losing track of time watching porn
• A noticeable increase in porn consumption
• A lack of control over your urges to watch porn
• Spending much of your day thinking about or watching porn
• Watching porn in inappropriate or risky environments, such as in public, at work, or in school
• Neglecting your work or personal responsibilities to watch porn
• Unsuccessful attempts to reduce or stop your porn usage
• Watching porn in spite of negative consequences
• Choosing to watch porn over spending time with others or participating in favorite activities
• Feeling guilt or shame about your porn consumption
• Decreased enjoyment of sex
• A growing tolerance for hardcore, violent, or extreme pornography
• Hiding your porn habit from loved ones
• Social isolation
• Low self-esteem
• Losing sleep to watch porn
• Struggling with anxiety or depression
• Exhibiting love avoidant tendencies
• The sexual objectification of others
• Using porn to cope with stress or negative feelings
• Choosing to watch porn over having sex with your partner
• Reduced self-care and poor hygiene

Long-Term Effects of Porn Addiction

If you’re struggling with any of the porn addiction symptoms above, know that it’s not a static addiction. Though in some ways it may feel like a hidden struggle you can keep to yourself, your porn addiction can lead to major consequences for you—and collateral damage for those you love. In other words, don’t let this addiction linger in the background. You need to take steps to heal. Otherwise, you could experience some of these long-term effects of porn addiction: 

• Seclusion and isolation from others, including a potential loss of friendships
• Causing hurt and betrayal trauma in your partner, damaging your relationship
• A poor sex life and lower sexual satisfaction
• Lower libido and erectile dysfunction caused by porn
• Proclivity toward aggressive behaviors
• Financial difficulties associated with frequent purchases of pornographic content
• Loss of self-worth and self-confidence
• Increased anxiety and depression
• Potential substance abuse

Symptoms of Porn Addiction Withdrawal

Both the long-term effects and signs of porn addiction may be motivating you to find out how to stop porn addiction for good, but you need to know it isn’t as easy as you’d think. You (or your loved one) can’t overcome an addiction like this through behavior modification or porn blocker technology alone. Because your brain has developed a chemical dependency on the dopamine that porn produces, you can actually experience porn withdrawal symptoms when you try to simply quit cold turkey. These symptoms can include: 

• Fatigue
• Sweating
• Body aches
• Sleep issues
• Anxiety
• Porn cravings
• Irritability
• Decreased empathy
• Depression
• Increased heart rate
• Digestion issues
• Changes in appetite
• Difficulty remaining present

 

Considering the symptoms above, many people’s attempts to quit their addiction on their own will end prematurely when they experience porn withdrawal. You simply need more help to overcome porn addiction—professional help from a CSAT therapist or treatment center as a matter of fact. 

Get Help for Your Porn Addiction Symptoms

If you or your loved one struggles with porn addiction symptoms, partnering with professional treatment is your best course of action for long-term healing. At Integrative Life Center in Nashville, TN, our porn addiction treatment program directly addresses the root causes of your addiction, not just your symptoms. With our help, you can learn healthier ways to cope with the underlying issues that drive your addiction and begin to reclaim your life. To get started, contact our team today. 

The post Porn Addiction Symptoms, Explained appeared first on Integrative Life Center.

source https://integrativelifecenter.com/intimacy-disorders/porn-addiction-symptoms-explained/

How Does Trauma-Informed CBT Help Individuals in Recovery?

Trauma-informed cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a specialized form of therapy. It combines the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy with a deep understanding of the complexities of trauma. Trauma-informed CBT changes traditional CBT methods to help people who have gone through serious traumatic events. 

This approach is designed to provide effective support for those in recovery, addressing not only the psychological effects of trauma but also fostering a path towards healing. Here, we will explore how trauma-informed CBT operates and its benefits for individuals dealing with trauma.

Understanding Trauma-Informed CBT

Trauma-informed CBT is based on the idea that trauma can deeply impact a person’s mental health, behavior, and life. It modifies the standard cognitive behavioral therapy approach to incorporate a trauma lens that is sensitive to the specific needs of trauma survivors. 

This approach is essential for creating a safe, supportive, and effective therapeutic environment. In addition to safety, predictability and transparency are vital components of trauma-informed CBT for adults. This empowerment is an important step in recovery. It helps clients move from feeling helpless due to trauma to feeling in control and capable. 

This therapeutic approach is not just about coping with symptoms but also about empowering clients. It aims to give them the tools and confidence to understand and manage their responses to trauma. This empowerment is an important step in recovery. It helps clients move from feeling helpless due to trauma to feeling in control and capable.

Through trauma-informed CBT, therapists aim to provide a holistic trauma treatment to attend to the pervasive influence of trauma on an individual’s life. Trauma-informed therapy combines cognitive-behavioral strategies with a caring and respectful approach to trauma. It treats symptoms and helps with healing and recovery. This careful, empathetic approach is particularly crucial in areas like Nashville, Tennessee, where diverse populations may seek recovery with complex, multifaceted trauma histories.

Key Principles of Trauma-Informed CBT

1. Safety and Trustworthiness: Establishing safety is a cornerstone of trauma-informed CBT. This involves creating an environment where clients feel physically and psychologically secure, allowing them to open up about their adverse childhood experiences without fear of judgment or re-traumatization.
2. Empowerment: Empowerment is crucial in trauma-informed therapy. At ILC, we encourage clients to take an active role in their recovery, enhancing their sense of control and self-efficacy. This is achieved by equipping them with tools to manage their symptoms and make positive changes in their thoughts and behaviors.
3. Understanding the Impact of Trauma: Therapists employing trauma-informed CBT are well-versed in the impact of trauma and how it can influence an individual’s functioning and mental health. This understanding is crucial for tailoring therapy to address specific trauma-related challenges.

Techniques Used in Trauma-Informed CBT

• Cognitive Restructuring: This involves identifying and challenging negative thoughts that stem from traumatic experiences and replacing them with more balanced and realistic thoughts. Cognitive restructuring helps reduce the ongoing emotional impact of past trauma.
• Behavioral Activation: Trauma can lead to withdrawal and avoidance behaviors. Behavioral activation encourages clients to gradually engage in activities that they have been avoiding but that are necessary for their recovery and well-being.
• Exposure Therapy: Controlled exposure to the memories of the traumatic event can help reduce the power those memories hold. Only practice this with a licensed professional, in order to avoid re-traumatization.
• Relaxation and Stress Reduction Techniques: Techniques such as guided imagery, deep breathing exercises, and progressive muscle relaxation are often integrated into trauma-informed CBT to help manage anxiety and stress symptoms associated with PTSD and other trauma-related disorders.

Benefits of Trauma-Informed CBT

• Reduced Symptoms of PTSD and Other Disorders: By addressing the root causes of trauma-related symptoms and providing clients with practical skills to manage their reactions, trauma-informed CBT can significantly reduce levels of PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
• Improved Daily Functioning and Relationships: The holistic approach taken in trauma-informed therapy often leads to improved interpersonal relationships and daily functioning, as clients learn to better regulate their emotions and reactions.
• Enhanced Resilience: Through skills training and cognitive restructuring, clients build resilience against future stressors, enhancing their ability to cope with challenges in a healthier way.

Recovery and Transformation at ILC in Nashville

Trauma-informed CBT is a caring and effective therapy. It understands the challenges of living with trauma. By integrating cognitive behavioral techniques with a CBT and trauma informed care framework, we support individuals in their journey towards recovery.

For those in Nashville looking for recovery, using trauma-informed practices can be a big step toward healing. If you or someone you know is dealing with trauma, think about contacting professionals who understand trauma care. For more information on how cognitive behavioral therapy can help, call us at (615) 891-2226. We can help you explore our therapy services and support systems.

 

The post How Does Trauma-Informed CBT Help Individuals in Recovery? appeared first on Integrative Life Center.

source https://integrativelifecenter.com/therapy-services/how-does-trauma-informed-cbt-help-individuals-in-recovery/

Chronic Masturbation: When is It Too Much?

Are you a chronic masturbator? While masturbation is a common practice for many people the world over, how often people masturbate can vary. If you spend a lot of time masturbating on a regular basis, it’s easy to start wondering if you’re doing it too much. After all, if you think you’re engaging in chronic masturbation, it could be the sign of a masturbation addiction—something you don’t want to have.

A Disclaimer About Masturbation

If you do some Google searching, you may find different opinions about masturbation. However, most experts would say that masturbation itself is a healthy, normal practice. In fact, masturbation can provide a number of benefits, including:

• Releasing sexual tension
• Improving your mood
• Helping you sleep better
• Reducing stress
• Gaining better insight into your own personal sexual wants and desires

 

There’s no need to feel shame for masturbating. It’s something almost everyone has done at some point in their lives. With that out of the way, let’s dive into chronic masturbating and what it means. 

What is Chronic Masturbation? 

So exactly what is chronic masturbation? Also known as excessive masturbation, it means you’re masturbating all the time. But more than that, it’s something you can’t control—so you end up doing it over. And over. And over. And over again.

Chronic masturbation is actually a form of compulsive sexual behavior. When this happens, you feel compelled to masturbate, like it’s necessary to function. As a chronic masturbator, you may want to stop masturbating, but you feel like you can’t. So you end up masturbating multiple times a day on a regular basis; or you may even binge on masturbation. 

When your chronic masturbation becomes compulsive, you have a masturbation addiction. This masturbation addiction is a form of hypersexual disorder, or sex addiction, and it can negatively impact your daily life, work, and relationships. 

How Do You Become a Chronic Masturbator?

If all of this is sounding like you, you may be wondering how you got to this point. How does masturbation go from a curiosity or a routine practice to a complete sexual addiction? To answer this, you have to understand what’s going on behind the scenes inside your brain. 

When you’re experiencing sexual pleasure (such as when you masturbate), your brain releases dopamine, a chemical associated with pleasure and reward. This dopamine signals to your brain that the activity makes you feel good, so you remember it and want to seek it out again. 

Yet because masturbation is so overly stimulating, an excessive amount of dopamine is released. As a result of this dopamine rush, your brain will shut down its dopamine receptors so it doesn’t get overwhelmed. That means the next time you masturbate, you don’t get the same dopamine high you first received. Because of this, you need to masturbate more often to achieve the same euphoric effects. And this is how chronic masturbation and masturbation addiction enter your life. 

Because addictions are often rooted in past trauma, you may also be using your chronic masturbation or hypersexuality as a coping mechanism for daily stressors, unresolved adverse childhood experiences, negative feelings, and more. This makes a masturbation addiction even harder to break. 

Signs You May Be Addicted to Masturbating

How much masturbating is too much? There isn’t necessarily an official “magic number” that defines whether you’re a chronic masturbator or not. Instead, you need to pay attention to other signs or symptoms in order to give you better context for your struggles. According to VerywellMind.com, masturbation addiction symptoms can include:

• Spending a majority of your free time and energy masturbating
• Neglecting personal or work responsibilities to masturbate
• Prioritizing masturbation over activities with others 
• Masturbating in public or in inappropriate places (such as a public restroom, in your vehicle, or during work)
• Masturbating even when you don’t feel like it or are not aroused
• Masturbating to cope with negative feelings
• Feeling upset or guilty after masturbating
• Regularly thinking about masturbating 

 

With a masturbation addiction, you also may choose masturbation over having sex with your partner. Your chronic masturbation can also cause genital injuries such as chafing or bruising, and yet you still continue to do it in spite of the pain. 

The Fallout of Chronic Masturbation

Because a masturbation addiction can be a hidden struggle, you may not think it’s that big of a deal. However, there are several downsides that make its impact more consequential than you’d realize.

Because you’re constantly experiencing sexual stimulation from your chronic masturbation, your dopamine receptors are regularly shutting down. As a result, sexual satisfaction will begin to wane, leading you to experience less pleasure from sexual activities with another person. And if you’re choosing to masturbate over having sex with your partner, your partner will feel hurt as well, leading your relationship to suffer.

At the same time, your overall well-being will begin to tank as well. From experiencing lower self-esteem due to your out-of-control masturbation to fighting regular shame and guilt, these feelings may sadly drive you further into your addiction. And your addiction may drive you into further isolation, keeping you from the relationships and social connections you need to improve your well-being. 

Get Help for Sexual Addiction at Integrative Life Center

Reading all of this may make you feel like you’re at a crossroads. How can you overcome your chronic masturbation? Like any addiction, it’s not something you can quit through behavior modification alone. There are deeper issues you need to address, so it’s best to seek professional help from a CSAT therapist or treatment facility.

At Integrative Life Center in Nashville, TN, we understand what you’re going through and are here to help. With our personalized intimacy disorder treatment programs, you can break free from your sexual addiction and reclaim your life. Contact our team now to learn more. 

The post Chronic Masturbation: When is It Too Much? appeared first on Integrative Life Center.

source https://integrativelifecenter.com/intimacy-disorders/chronic-masturbation-when-is-it-too-much/

Using a Trauma-Informed Approach and Motivational Interviewing to Heal

Abuse of alcohol or drugs. Developing an eating disorder. Inability to sleep. Self-isolation. These are just some of the issues you may suffer from if you are dealing with the aftermath of a traumatic event. If you or a loved one is ready for change–if you want to experience health and wholeness again–a trauma-informed approach and motivational interviewing may be the answer.

Trauma-Informed Mental Health Care

Unfortunately, according to statistics, most American  adults have experienced a traumatic event in their lives. Trauma does not have to fit into neatly-defined categories. According to the American Psychological Association, trauma is defined as an emotional response to a terrible event. Terrible events can include, but are not limited to:

• Physical abuse
• Loss of a loved one
• Adverse childhood experiences, including emotional or physical neglect, substance abuse or violence in the household, or divorce
• War or societal unrest
• Effects of emotional abuse
• Natural disasters
• Sexual abuse

People who have experienced a traumatic event may be able to heal on their own or with friends or family, but many develop mental health issues that would benefit from a professional’s care. Examples of trauma-induced symptoms include:

• Loss of interest in activities
• Engaging in risky or destructive behavior
• Insomnia
• Nightmares/flashbacks to the traumatic event
• Self-isolating
• Susceptibility to colds or other illnesses
• Being easily startled
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Difficulty remembering details/difficulty concentrating
• Fatigue
• Unexplained pain or sweating

In such instances, it is important to seek out trauma informed care. In this kind of care, providers understand and consider the pervasive nature of trauma–how it can affect a person emotionally and physically–and work to create safe, trusting environments wherein real healing can take place without re-traumatizing the client. Clients are encouraged to be aware of their own triggers and are empowered to make choices in the therapeutic setting rather than feeling forced to confront a memory or emotion that risks re-traumatizing them. Trauma-informed care has been described as a paradigm shift from asking “what is wrong with you?” to asking “what happened to you?” 

What Is Motivational Interviewing?

A trauma-informed approach and motivational interviewing are strong tools to help individuals recover from trauma-induced mental health issues, but what is motivational interviewing? This form of talk therapy is a specific way of talking about and effecting change. This counseling method helps clients explore and identify the thoughts or feelings that motivate them towards undesirable behaviors. It then encourages clients to identify the specific motivations they have for changing those behaviors so that real change can begin to take place.

Evidence shows that this approach can be very successful in treating everything from eating disorders to substance abuse disorders, but this is dependent on a strong, trusting client-provider relationship. Such a relationship requires a trauma-informed approach. Providers must be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of trauma in their clients, and integrate their knowledge about trauma into every aspect of the motivational interview. Using this trauma informed lens, providers are able to help clients safely achieve the lasting change they so desperately want.

What Will a Trauma-Informed Approach and Motivational Interviewing Look Like?

In motivational interviewing, instead of telling a client what to do to “get better,” the provider asks targeted questions to help them realize what they need to do. Once a client has identified their motivations for healing, they can cling to those motivations even when the recovery journey becomes difficult.

In a trauma-informed motivational interview, the provider asks questions while simultaneously being careful not to re-traumatize the client. For example, if the provider recognizes that a series of questions about a certain life event are triggering post-traumatic stress responses, instead of pressing further to “get to the root” of the client’s feelings, the provider will redirect the line of questioning so that the client regains a feeling of safety and security. The provider is careful not to use certain language that may be triggering for the client, and remains sensitive to cultural or historical issues that may influence the client’s way of communicating.

Trauma-Informed Approach and Motivational Interviewing in Nashville, TN

If you or a loved one recognize the signs of trauma in your life, consider starting your journey to recovery and healing at the Integrative Life Center in Nashville, TN. Our facility focuses on holistic care for individuals seeking to recover from substance abuse disorder, eating disorders, or other mental health issues. This includes yoga, nutrition therapy, art therapy, equine therapy, music therapy, and mindfulness therapy. We provide trauma treatment that encompasses the whole individual–spiritual, emotional, and physical. Our trauma-informed practitioners create safe, trusting environments wherein healing from trauma can take place. If you are suffering from the effects of a traumatic event, contact us today at 615-378-8806 to begin your journey to recovery.

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source https://integrativelifecenter.com/therapy-services/using-a-trauma-informed-approach-and-motivational-interviewing-to-heal/