Regulation within addiction treatment
Addiction affects learning, reward, stress regulation, and social life. Neurofeedback and biofeedback are considered only as complements to professionally led addiction treatment.
Problematic use of alcohol, medication, or drugs may involve strong craving, loss of control, increasing tolerance, and consequences for health, relationships, or work. Relapse is also common in the course of recovery.
Stress, sleep problems, anxiety, depression, and traumatic experiences may influence use. Each requires appropriate assessment and treatment.
Depending on the substance, withdrawal can be medically dangerous. It must not be replaced by neurofeedback or biofeedback or attempted without suitable medical supervision.
Before training, there needs to be a clear treatment framework, a responsible specialist service, and an agreed response to crisis or relapse.
Neurofeedback may address selected EEG activity. Biofeedback can display stress responses and physical tension. These methods can be used to practise skills relevant to the existing treatment plan.
Neurofeedback and biofeedback do not replace withdrawal management, psychotherapy, medication, or social support. They may complement an existing plan. Evidence depends on the substance, protocol, and treatment setting.
Possible cause
Relapses are frequently linked to accompanying burdens such as mental stress, negative moods, or trauma-related symptoms that intensify cravings for the substance.
How neurofeedback can help
The training targets the neural dysregulation associated with craving and impulse control, alongside an existing treatment programme.
Tell us which specialist treatment is already in place. We can assess whether regulation training can be integrated safely.
