Neurofeedback for Addiction
From my perspective, the scope of addiction is broad and includes gambling, compulsive stealing, compulsive buying, compulsive sexual behaviour, problem internet use, and substance use. The emotions that go along with these difficulties are generally feelings of shame, loss of control and denial.
Addictive tendencies generally have one or two kinds of imbalances in the brain. The first is a lack of production of slower frequencies (Alpha and Theta) towards the back of the head (parietal and occipital lobes), which is more often but not exclusively, related to a lack of ability to relax. The other imbalance is to do with a lack of the Sensory Motor Rhythm (SMR) and Beta 1 (12-15hz and 15-18hz), at the top of the head and at parts of the prefrontal cortex and orbitofrontal cortex, this is more to do with self-regulation. There is often too much fast and slow waves at these places as well.
Action Plan
The first step is to assess all the imbalances, as there may also be other issues that are present and need to be trained, this is done with an EEG assessment tool called a NewQ. This is a painless process, where I take readings from various points on your head and use the analysing tool to assess your brain waves. I will also gather information from your family where appropriate, and any professional reports that are available. I will then train one or both areas, as well as any additional areas that the assessment spots.
The first step is to understand the person and their relationship to their addiction, their deeper beliefs about using, and what are the benefits and costs to them.
Counselling for Addiction
Changing behaviour is challenging, so while neurofeedback combined with counselling are powerful tools, the person must be committed to go through this, at times, very difficult process for it to have a realistic chance of success.
The counselling work is about understanding the person’s beliefs, as deeper reasons around the addictive behaviour are sometimes not understood by the person. Another element is to explore physical drives around the behaviour, in part physical but also connected to the ritual. Ritual can be important and, this is especially true of illegal drugs, will have a sub-culture and leaving this can be hard. However, what we know from research, is that the success rate of people stopping is closely linked to having a non-using community and this factor is not limited to illegal drugs.
Action Plan
The first step is to understand the person and their relationship to their addiction, their deeper beliefs about using, and what are the benefits and costs to them. The physical drive that will go with any addictive behaviour is addressed by somatically focused counselling and Thought Field Therapy (TFT) to lower that physical drive. It is also important to address historic emotional trauma which is commonly a factor. We will also look at how to build up a supportive community of people around them.
