Emotional freedom technique (EFT), sometimes called tapping therapy, offers tools that allow a person to work through times of high stress. The techniques combine cognitive behavioral therapy and traditional Chinese medicine strategies, like acupuncture, to provide stress relief. You can use EFT in addiction recovery to care for yourself during emotionally difficult times. 

If you haven’t gotten drug addiction treatment, now is the time to do so. Tapping is a holistic approach that complements but does not replace high-quality professional care.

What is Emotional Freedom Technique?

The goal of EFT is to shift one’s thought patterns from focusing on stress and negative emotions that create physical tension and anxiety to a more positive, safer mental state.

The method works somewhat like acupuncture, in which tiny needles are placed at specific points of the body to increase energy flow. While EFT makes use of some of those same energy points, it does not incorporate needles. Instead, you use your fingertips to tap those areas to get relief.

The belief is that tapping therapy can help to balance the flow of energy through the body. Specific points on the body have a high concentration of neurotransmitters called mechanoreceptors. These small little sensors can respond to touch. By tapping on these areas, you’re able to balance the central nervous system.

There’s evidence that EFT works. In a study published by the National Library of Medicine, this technique was found to improve several physiological markers of health in those who applied it over a period of time.

How Does Emotional freedom technique (EFT) Work?

Tapping your body can create stress relief. That may sound like a stretch, but it works. Here are the steps involved: 

1. Gain awareness

The first step is to gain an awareness of what’s occurring in your emotions, body, and mind. What do you want to work on improving right now? Then use a scale of 1 to 10 to rate how intense and overwhelming that problem is.

2. Create an affirmation

The next step is to come up with an affirming sentence to repeat. The sentence should describe your issue and include a statement of self-acceptance. For example, “Even though I am afraid of (insert problem here), I completely accept myself.” As you focus on the problem and come up with the affirming sentence, use two or more fingertips of one hand to tap the palm of the other hand, beneath the little finger. 

3. Clearing and sequencing

You’ll then clear the negative energy by tapping on certain points of the body (see below), following a specific sequence while repeating the affirmation you created. 

Where to Tap During Emotional Freedom technique (EFT)

There are 12 major meridians located throughout the body, mirrored on each side. Each one relates to a specific organ within your body. During the EFT treatment, you’ll use your fingertips to tap on 9 of them, about 5 taps each:

• Side of the hand – which links to the small intestine meridian
• Top of the head – which is considered the governing vessel
• Eyebrow – which is linked to the bladder meridian
• Side of your eye – which is linked to the gallbladder meridian
• Under the eye – which is linked to the stomach meridian
• Under the nose – this is a governing vessel with full body support
• Chin – which is the central vessel
• The start of the collarbone – which is linked to the kidney meridian
• Under the arm – which is linked to the spleen meridian

So, how do you tap? Follow this process:

• Top of head
• Eyebrow
• Side of one eye
• Under one eye
• Under your nose
• Chin
• Start of the collarbone
• Under the arm
• Repeat, starting with the top of the head 

What Are the Benefits of Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)?

Those in addiction recovery who regularly engage in tapping therapy often see benefits such as:

• Reduction of stress
• Better control over mental health in distressing moments
• Reduction of cravings for alcohol or drugs
• Better ability to focus on the present rather than worrying about the future
• Support in working through post-traumatic stress disorder
• An alternative to pain medication

We’re Here to Help You

At Victory Addiction Recovery Center in Lafayette, Louisiana, we recognize the pain you’re facing, and while we don’t expect tapping to cure your addiction, it can empower you to manage your emotions more effectively. We’re here to help you through the rest. Contact us now for 24-hour help. 

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