Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing as a potential treatment for substance use disorders: study protocol

Background: Prior exposure to traumatic events significantly increases the risk of developing substance use disorders (SUD), while having SUD, in turn, elevates the likelihood of encountering additional traumatic events. Despite this relationship, the consequences of trauma frequently go undetected and untreated in this population. The trauma-focused intervention eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR), a first-line treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), has shown promising therapeutic potential in SUD patients. However, its underlying neurobiological mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of EMDR in SUD patients with comorbid psychological trauma. Additionally, potential mechanisms of action of the intervention will be explored. The primary hypothesis is that integrating EMDR into standard SUD treatment will enhance substance use prognosis.