| Brain wave biofeedback
(or neurofeedback) is a therapy in which patients learn
to alter their brain wave patterns. In one type of neurofeedback
the training involves normalization of alpha and theta
waves which are disturbed by long term substance abuse.
Brainwave Biofeedback has shown dramatic success in several
studies to prevent relapses from drug and alcohol addiction.
This very promising treatment can be more fully understood
by Reading
"Effects of Neurofeedback on Chemical Dependency
Treatment" by D.A. Kaiser, S. Othmer and W. Scott
at www.eegspectrum.com/Applications/Addiction/ |
BRAINWAVE BIOFEEDBACK
PRACTITIONERS
Biofeedback
Certification Institute of America (BCIA) (bcia.org)
BCIA certifies practitioners in both biofeedback and neurofeedback.
Their site provides an updated register of certified practitioners.
A Practitioner Search can be done by first and/or last name
of the practitioner, city, state, or zip code. The letters
BCIA after a name means the practitioner is certified in General
Biofeedback. The letters EEG after a name means the practitioner
is certified in EEG Biofeedback (or Neurofeedback). In addition
information is given on questions you might ask a practitioner
before scheduling a session.
EEG
Spectrum International (eegspectrum.com)
This site provides a good introduction to neurofeedback (EEG
biofeedback) including its applications to various health
conditions. In the "Finding a Provider" section
of the site you can locate by state a therapist or practitioner
who has been trained in neurofeedback at the EEG Spectrum
Institute.
RESIDENTIAL
TREATMENT CENTERS OFFERING BRAINWAVE BIOFEEDBACK
Cri-Help
(www.cri-help.org)
Offers a wide range of therapeutic services including neurofeedback
and acupuncture. See our Residential
Treatment section for information on this Center.
Healthcare
Connection of Tampa (healthcareconnectionoftampa.com)
Specializes in the treatment of impaired professionals. Their
program is based on the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and
Narcotics Anonymous, behavioral modification and other psychotherapeutic
approaches, and innovative techniques such as neurofeedback
and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).
RESEARCH: Trudeau
DL. “The treatment of addictive disorders by brain wave
biofeedback: a review and suggestions for future research.”
Clinical Electroencephalography. 31(1): 13-22, 2000. In small
clinical trials and case studies, specific EEG aberrations
in substance abuse disorders have been noted, including very
specific abnormalities likely associated with drug neurotoxicity.
This suggests the possibility that specific EEG biofeedback
protocols may be studied for their effect on these conditions.
These EEG documented changes are further proof that
addiction is an illness of the brain.
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Updated :: April 28, 2008