While drug addiction is a pressing problem in the United States, there are a variety of therapies that have shown to help in the healing process. From psychotherapy to art and music therapy to neurofeedback therapy, therapists employ various methods to bring about results. Neurofeedback therapy is one of the therapies that is finding much success when it’s used as a complement to other traditional therapies, such as talk therapy.
How is Neurofeedback Therapy Defined?
Neurofeedback therapy involves using electroencephalogram (EEG) biofeedback to help people re-train their brains. Therapists use a sensor and a computer program to direct your brainwaves into new patterns, thus helping you to find relief from challenging emotions and thought patterns. The EEG sends biofeedback to the computer program regarding your brainwave activity. This biofeedback is, in turn, interpreted by the computer and a visual or sound cue is put up on the computer screen, which helps redirect the brain. By doing this, your brain is being trained to think in a new way. In addition, neurofeedback therapy helps you regulate your emotions by changing your thought patterns when emotional brainwave activity arises.
History of Neurofeedback Therapy
Neurofeedback therapy was first discovered in the late 50s and early 60s by Dr. Joe Kamiya and Dr. Barry Sterman. Through their studies, they learned that people had changing brain activity when given a reward system. They also did studies on cats and discovered that they too will respond appropriately to rewards. They will re-train their brain in order to receive the reward.
Later in the 70s, Dr. Joel Lubar began studying the relationship between that neurofeedback therapy and its help in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
What To Expect At Neurofeedback Therapy
You may wonder what to expect when attending a neurofeedback session. Although it may sound daunting, the procedure is painless and non-invasive. You’ll probably attend a session about once a week for approximately 20 weeks.
When you arrive for the therapy, the doctor or therapist will put an apparatus on your scalp. This is the sensor that will pick up the brainwave activity. The sensors are then connected to a computer, which reads the information from your brain and gives feedback.
Next, the therapist will have you interact with the computer. You may watch something visual or listen to some music. As you do, the computer will be picking up on the brainwave activity. Then, the program will change its graphics or music, thus changing your brainwave activity in a new, controlled direction.
You will begin to see improvement in your mood and sleep patterns as well as your and mental state after attending neurofeedback therapy. This gives you the strength to change your behavior as it concerns drug use.
Find Relief At Recovery Ways
At Recovery Ways, we are ready to assist you in moving forward by using neurofeedback therapy. Our dynamic team of compassionate therapists and state of the art healing center will provide you with the necessary tools to find healing. In addition, you can will have a range of addiction treatment programs from which to choose. We aim to meet a variety of lifestyles. Some of our programs include:
- Dual diagnosis treatment program
- Residential addiction treatment program
- Inpatient addiction treatment program
- Intensive outpatient treatment program
- Partial day treatment program
- Medication-assisted treatment program
- Integration and occupational therapies
Get in touch with us to verify your insurance and begin the admissions process. We are in-network with payors, making it convenient for many people. Don’t let drug addiction take away your happiness. Neurofeedback therapy can help you overcome addiction. Contact us at 888.986.7848, and we’ll walk with you every step of the way.