The Tapping Evidence Base
Trauma (other) · Weight & Food Cravings

Single-session reductions in emotional distress in an addiction clinic after Thought Field Therapy treatment

Cribbs, J. · Energy Psychology: Theory, Research, and Treatment · 2023

Outcome study👥 37 participantsPreliminary✓ Source-checked📍 United States
In plain English. Thirty-seven people in inpatient treatment for substance use disorder, all carrying trauma-related distress, did one Thought Field Therapy tapping session, and every single one of them reported a real drop in distress immediately afterward. That's a striking 100% response rate for a single brief session, though there was no comparison group and no follow-up reported, so it captures an immediate effect at one facility rather than lasting recovery outcomes.

What they found

37
people took part

In 37 participants (17 male, 20 female, ages 23-37) at an inpatient addiction rehabilitation facility, a single Thought Field Therapy session produced a statistically significant decrease in SUD symptom ratings in 100% of participants (p < .00).

How the study worked

Who took partinpatients with substance use disorder and trauma-related distress at a rehabilitation facility (n=37)
What they didParticipants received tapping and were measured before and after, without a separate comparison group.
Measured withSubjective Units of Distress (SUD)

💡 Where this could help

If findings like these hold up in larger trials, the promise is simple: a low-cost, self-administered tool that could reach people struggling with trauma (other) who can't easily access traditional care — at home, between appointments, or where there aren't enough clinicians to go around.

🔬 What to study next

The natural next step: a head-to-head trial against an established treatment like CBT, and a larger sample to confirm the effect.

The full record

DesignOutcome study
Participants37 people
Populationinpatients with substance use disorder and trauma-related distress at a rehabilitation facility
Outcome measuresSubjective Units of Distress (SUD)
JournalEnergy Psychology: Theory, Research, and Treatment
Year2023
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
MethodThought Field Therapy (related tapping method)
Publication typeStudy / trial
Verification✓ Confirmed against the primary source

Read the original study →

Cite this study

APA

Cribbs, J. (2023). Single-session reductions in emotional distress in an addiction clinic after Thought Field Therapy treatment. Energy Psychology: Theory, Research, and Treatment. https://doi.org/10.9769/EPJ.2023.15.1.JC

This record is part of the Tapping Evidence Base — an openly-sourced, fully-referenced directory of the research on EFT/tapping. Explore more studies on Trauma (other) · Weight & Food Cravings

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THE TAPPING EVIDENCE BASE Trauma (other) 37 participants WHAT THEY FOUND In 37 participants (17 male, 20 female, ages23-37) at an inpatient addictionrehabilitation facility, a single… Outcome study · 37 participants Cribbs · 2023 · evidence.thetappingsolution.com