Your Guide to Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Gambling, and Recovery

Slate Recovery is dedicated to providing a profound and life-changing recovery experience for every individual. We start by connecting you with our team of thoughtful and trusted professionals. Our clinical staff has extensive knowledge of many backgrounds and therapies to find the perfect fit for your needs.

Our founder, Ray Wolber, sat down with one of our therapists to talk through what is top of mind right now in the recovery world: understanding addiction, treatments for recovery, and supporting patience in the real world we live in.

German Gallardo, LPC, explains all of this and more. German is available to see patients in person at the Slate Recovery Offices in Oklahoma City, OK and virtually throughout the state of Oklahoma.

How does substance use often start or escalate in younger adults, and what are some patterns you see that can signal it’s becoming a larger issue?

German: One of the ways I’ve seen substance use become problematic with young adults is through party culture in the United States. What may start out as a seemingly harmless way to bond with peers of similar ages can become unhealthy pretty quickly. For example, with such an emphasis on drinking, especially as it seeps into different areas of a young adult’s life, it can mask how harmful these patterns really are.

If a young adult begins to adopt substance use as a way to cope with life’s stressors, it can quickly take over and increase negative consequences. Without some form of support, this is often where you begin to see the early seeds of addiction or problematic use develop.

What advice would you give to someone who is considering counseling for the first time but feels unsure or hesitant to take that step?

German: Something helpful to keep in mind is that there is no expectation to stay with a therapist if it doesn’t feel like a good fit. On the flip side, I do recommend engaging with a therapist for a few sessions before deciding to make a switch.

It’s important that you feel you can trust your therapist and be open and genuine with them. One of the most important factors in successful therapy is having a strong therapeutic relationship. You want someone who can support you, but also hold you accountable when needed.

From your perspective, what are some of the biggest challenges individuals face in early recovery, and how can they best navigate them?

German: One of the biggest challenges I’ve seen is that individuals may be ready for sobriety, but not necessarily ready for recovery. People may not yet have a plan that addresses all the factors involved in long-term recovery.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines recovery as “a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.” Recovery isn’t just about putting a substance down, it’s about asking, “What does my life actually look like without that substance in it?”

How can seasons of change or identity development impact mental health, and what should people be mindful of during those formative times?

German: There is growth and discovery that happens throughout life, especially during transition points and major milestones, such as graduating high school or becoming a parent. Naturally, anxiety, depression, and stress can increase during these times.

It’s important to recognize that these feelings are normal, but they can be managed. Utilizing coping skills, adjusting self-care routines, and seeking professional support through individual therapy can all be helpful ways to navigate these seasons of change.

You specialize in EMDR therapy. Can you explain what EMDR is and how it helps individuals process trauma differently than traditional talk therapy?

German: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured therapy modality that encourages clients to briefly focus on traumatic memories while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements. While many people associate EMDR primarily with eye movements, that is only a small part of the overall process.

EMDR follows eight distinct phases that help prepare clients, guide them through processing, and support them afterward. One unique aspect of EMDR is that it does not require clients to go into extensive detail about their trauma or complete homework between sessions. It can be a fast-acting approach, and a growing body of research shows promise in addressing a wide range of mental health challenges beyond trauma.

Social media plays a major role in many people’s lives today. What does a healthy relationship with social media look like, and what are some signs it may be negatively impacting mental health?

German: Social media can quickly become problematic due to the blurred sense of reality that people often portray online. Difficult topics and meaningful conversations can become superficial, and the quality of real-life relationships may suffer depending on how someone engages online.

Over time, users may develop unrealistic expectations of what healthy and meaningful relationships should look like. Additionally, as platforms continue to refine algorithms designed to keep users engaged, social media can become a significant time sink that negatively impacts other areas of life, including work, relationships, and overall well-being.

With your recent experience in college settings, what are you seeing when it comes to sports betting and gambling among young men, and what are the risks people may not fully understand?

German: Similar to drinking culture, the norms of certain environments can mask how unhealthy sports betting behaviors can become. What may start as a way to engage with peers, build relationships, and feel accepted can have significant consequences on both financial and mental health.

This can lead to a persistent and uncontrollable urge to continue betting despite negative outcomes. Sports betting stimulates the brain’s reward system in a way that is very similar to substance use. As access to sports betting continues to increase, the likelihood of problematic behaviors developing also rises.