EMDR vs. CBT for Addiction: Which Is More Effective? 

Key Takeaways 

• EMDR works on the traumatic memories that are causing your addiction, while CBT changes how you think and act now.  

• EMDR usually works faster when trauma is involved, sometimes in just a few sessions.  

• CBT has decades of research showing that it works for all kinds of addiction. 

• You can do both therapies together, and many people get better results that way.  

• What works best depends on your story, whether you’ve been through trauma, and what you want to get out of recovery. 

You’re looking for answers about addiction treatment, and you keep hearing about two different therapies—EMDR and CBT. Both have helped people get sober, but they work in totally different ways. So, which one’s going to work for you? 

EMDR therapy for addiction has been making waves lately, especially for folks whose drinking or drug use started after something traumatic happened. Maybe you went through abuse as a kid, lost someone you loved, or survived an accident that still haunts you.  

If that sounds like you, learning about the differences between EMDR and CBT might be the key to your success. 

What is EMDR and how does it help with addiction? 

 
Back in the late 1980s, Dr. Francine Shapiro came up with EMDR to help people with PTSD. Here’s the deal: when something terrible happens to you, that memory can get stuck in your brain. When those memories keep looping and continue to hurt, many people end up using alcohol or drugs just to quiet them for a while. 

EMDR therapy for addiction works like this—you sit with a trained therapist EMDR near me, and while you think about the traumatic memory, you follow their hand back and forth with your eyes. Sounds weird, right? But this eye movement thing activates both sides of your brain at once. It helps your brain finally process that stuck memory, so it doesn’t control you anymore. 

Here’s why these matters: almost half of people struggling with addiction also have PTSD. Think about how many people started drinking heavily after their divorce or got hooked on pills after a car crash. When EMDR helps you work through those memories, the desperate need to numb yourself starts fading away. 

How Does CBT Take a Different Approach to Addiction? 

Dr. Aaron T. Beck developed CBT in the 1960s with a completely different game plan. Instead of digging into your past, CBT focuses on right now—what you’re thinking, how that makes you feel, and what you end up doing because of it. 

CBT teaches you to catch yourself thinking things that aren’t true and are pushing you toward using again. You know those thoughts—”Just one won’t hurt,” or “I can’t deal with this without getting high.” CBT shows you how to stop those thoughts in their tracks and swap them out for something that helps you stay clean. 

In your sessions, you’ll learn real skills you can use every day: figuring out what triggers your cravings, changing the way you think about stress, making a solid plan to Staying on track often means learning healthier ways to handle stress and the tough moments that can throw you off. 

The research on CBT is solid. Scientists looked at 34 different studies with more than 2,300 people and found CBT worked well for weed addiction, and helped with cocaine, opioids, and people using multiple substances. Both the VA and the National Institute on Drug Abuse say CBT is one of the best treatments out there. 

What Do Studies Reveal About EMDR vs. CBT Success Rates? 

So, which one works better? It really comes down to what’s underneath your addiction. 

If trauma’s the main problem: EMDR therapy for addiction really shines here. Researchers looked at 11 different studies and found EMDR beat CBT when it came to helping people with both PTSD and addiction. If you’re using substances to get away from painful memories, EMDR may be a therapy worth looking into to help you work through them. 

For general addiction issues: CBT has been tested repeatedly with all kinds of people and all kinds of drugs. It’s especially good at keeping you from relapsing because you learn skills you can use on your own, even after therapies done. 

When it comes to cravings: EMDR therapy for addiction does something impressive with cravings specifically. Studies show it helps you feel good emotions more easily and tones down the bad ones that used to send you reaching for your drug of choice. 

How fast you’ll see results: EMDR often works quicker up front. Some people feel a real difference after just 3-6 sessions. CBT usually takes 16 sessions or more before you see lasting changes, but those skills you build might protect you better in the long run. 

Can You Combine EMDR and CBT for Better Results? 

You bet. A lot of treatment centers are figuring out that using both works better than picking just one. 

Think about it—maybe you started using because of childhood trauma (that’s EMDR territory), but after years of addiction, you’ve also built up all these automatic habits and screwed-up thought patterns (that’s where CBT helps). Research shows combining them works well, and there’s nothing about using both that causes problems. 

How Do You Choose the Right Therapy for Your Situation? 

Here’s what you should think about: 

Look at your trauma history: Did something bad happen to you? Can you see a clear connection between that event and when you started using? If yes, EMDR’s probably a good bet. If trauma isn’t really part of your story, CBT might fit better. 

Think about timing: Need to deal with trauma fast so you can focus on the rest of your treatment? EMDR works quicker on trauma stuff. Want to build a whole toolbox of skills that’ll last you years? CBT’s structured approach might be what you need. 

See what’s available: Finding a good EMDR therapist means looking for someone with special EMDR training. CBT therapists are easier to find pretty much anywhere. The good news? EMDR virtual therapy is becoming way more common, so you’ve got options even if there’s nobody nearby. 

What Should You Verify When Selecting a therapist? 

Picking your therapist matters a lot. 

For EMDR people, make sure they’re certified through EMDRIA and know how to use EMDR specifically for addiction, not just PTSD. Ask if they do EMDR virtual therapy if getting to appointments is tough for you. 

If you’re looking for CBT, try to find a therapist who has specific experience working with addiction. There’s a difference between regular CBT and the kind that’s designed for substance abuse, so ask about their experience with relapse prevention. 

Most people start by typing “therapist EMDR near me” or “find EMDR therapist” into Google. EMDRIA’s got a directory you can search. For CBT, check out the Academy of Cognitive Therapy’s website. 

Talk to a few different therapists before you decide. Ask them how many of their patients get better, how long treatment usually takes, and whether they ever combine different approaches. You need someone who feels like the right fit. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Moving Forward with Your Recovery Journey 

Is EMDR therapy for addiction better than CBT? There’s no single answer—because your recovery journey is unique. Both approaches have helped thousands reclaim their lives from addiction, and at WisHope Recovery, we see the power of each every day. 

EMDR can be especially effective when trauma plays a major role in substance use, when fast relief from PTSD symptoms is needed, or when unresolved trauma is blocking progress in treatment. 

CBT works well for those who want practical, hands-on tools to manage triggers, prefer a structured and educational approach, or are focused on long-term sobriety skills. 

Many people at WisHope Recovery benefit most from a blended approach—using EMDR to process trauma first, then transitioning to CBT to build lasting coping strategies that support lifelong recovery. 

What truly matters isn’t choosing the “perfect” therapy—it’s taking the first step toward help. Whether you’re searching for a therapist offering EMDR, exploring virtual EMDR therapy, or browsing directories to find the right provider, you’re moving in the right direction. And remember, recovery isn’t fixed—your treatment plan can evolve as you do. What counts most is beginning the journey toward a life free from addiction.