Sometimes addiction treatment may seem like it’s traditional and boring. When looking for a rehab, it’s not surprising to see the same old kinds of treatments amongst all of the facilities. At Atlanta Recovery Place, we work hard to incorporate new and innovative addiction treatment modalities to help our clients find lasting recovery from addiction. Today we’d like to discuss neurofeedback therapy.
What Is Neurofeedback Therapy?
According to the National Institute of Health, neurofeedback is a sort of biofeedback. Biofeedback teaches self-control of brain functions. It does this by measuring the brain waves and providing a feedback signal. Neurofeedback can provide audio and video feedback, and is a concept that assists people to control their brain waves consciously. There are seven different types of neurofeedback for treatment: (1) frequency/power neurofeedback, (2) slow cortical potential neurofeedback, (3) low energy neurofeedback system, (4) hemoencephalography neurofeedback, (5) live z-score neurofeedback, (6) low-resolution electromagnetic tomography, and (7) functional magnetic resonance imaging.
How Is Neurofeedback Used in Addiction Treatment?
Below is a breakdown of what the seven types of neurofeedback are:
- Frequency/Power Neurofeedback (surface neurofeedback) – This is the most frequently used neurofeedback and usually includes the use of 2 to 4 surface electrodes. This neurofeedback is used to change the amplitude or speed that specific brain waves move within particular parts of the brain. Aside from assisting with addiction, this is used to treat ADHD, anxiety, and insomnia.
- Slow Cortical Potential Neurofeedback (SCP-NF) – This improves the direction of slow cortical potentials. It is used to treat ADHD, epilepsy, and migraines.
- Low-Energy Neurofeedback System (LENS) – This type of neurofeedback delivers a low energy magnetic signal to change the brain waves within a patient while they remain motionless with their eyes closed. This has been known to treat traumatic brain injury, ADHD, insomnia, fibromyalgia, anxiety, depression, restless legs syndrome, and anger.
- Hemoencephalography Neurofeedback – This provides feedback on cerebral blood throw. This is used to treat migraines.
- Live Z-Score Neurofeedback – This introduces the continuous comparison of variables within brain electrical activity. This comparison is then put into a systematic database to provide continuous feedback. This neurofeedback is used to treat insomnia.
- Low-Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography – This neurofeedback involves the use of 19 electrodes. These electrodes are used to monitor phase, power, and coherence. This is used to treat addictions, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
- Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging – This is the most recent type of neurofeedback. It is used to regulate brain activity based on the activity feedback from within the deep subcortical areas of the brain.
When it comes to using neurofeedback in addiction treatment, studies have shown that repeated sessions were linked to long term abstinence from drug and alcohol use. During treatment, the addict was taught to use success imagery during the sessions. For example, they were told to imagine themselves being sober, refusing offers of alcohol, living confidently, and happy, etc. When neurofeedback is paired with other types of therapies, it may be useful in enhancing certain outcomes of therapy. So although neurofeedback is not a cure for addiction, it certainly helps when treating it.
How Can Atlanta Recovery Place Help With Addiction?
Here at Atlanta Recovery Place, we want to provide our clients with options and different ideas for addiction treatment. Our staff consists of dedicated individuals who work hard to help our clients gain sobriety. We also know that all of our clients are different and there is no one kind of addiction treatment that suits everyone. We emphasize individualized treatment plans. We want to help our clients succeed in their recovery and we want to help them maintain their sobriety. Reach out to us today to find which treatment best suits you and to start your recovery process.
