Substance Abuse Treatment
Targeting the Brain Circuits That Drive Addiction
Addiction is a brain-based disorder involving changes in how we process reward, control impulses, and manage stress. These changes create compulsive patterns of drug or alcohol use despite harmful consequences.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive therapy that uses targeted magnetic pulses to stimulate specific brain regions involved in decision-making, self-control, and reward regulation. By directly modulating these circuits, TMS offers a new approach to reducing cravings and improving brain function in people with substance use disorders.
How Addiction Changes the Brain
In substance use disorders, two major brain systems are disrupted:
- The prefrontal cortex – Responsible for impulse control, judgment, and planning, often underactive in addiction.
- The reward pathway – Including the striatum and related networks, which become overactive in response to drugs and drug-related cues.
This imbalance fuels cravings, increases risk-taking, and makes it harder to stop substance use even when motivated to quit.
TMS for addiction can target the brain circuits that fuel cravings — start today.
How TMS Works in Addiction Treatment
TMS delivers magnetic pulses to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and other targeted brain regions, helping restore balance between overactive and underactive networks. This can:
- Reduce cravings for alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, and other substances.
- Improve impulse control and decision-making.
- Modulate reward processing to reduce the brain’s response to drug cues.
- Support mood stability often disrupted in addiction.
Evidence and Success Rates
- Nicotine Addiction – A 2014 study in Biological Psychiatry found that high-frequency TMS significantly reduced cigarette consumption and cravings compared to sham treatments.
- Cocaine Use Disorder – A trial published in JAMA Psychiatry reported that patients receiving active TMS were more likely to test negative for cocaine use at follow-up than those receiving sham stimulation.
- Alcohol Use Disorder – Research in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that TMS targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex reduced heavy drinking days in alcohol-dependent individuals.
While results vary, meta-analyses suggest that TMS can produce clinically meaningful reductions in cravings across multiple substances, making it a promising adjunctive treatment for addiction.
Is TMS a Standalone Treatment for Addiction?
No. TMS is best used as part of a broader addiction treatment plan that may include behavioral therapy, support programs, and medication-assisted treatment when appropriate. While TMS can improve brain function and reduce cravings, addressing the psychological, behavioral, and environmental factors of addiction requires comprehensive care.
Treatment Experience
- Length of sessions: 20–40 minutes
- Course of treatment: Typically 5 sessions per week for 4–6 weeks, with adjustments based on response
- Side effects: Mild scalp discomfort or headache in some patients, resolving shortly after sessions
- No downtime: Patients can resume normal activities immediately
TMS for Substance Use Disorders FAQs
Will TMS cure my addiction?
No. Addiction is a complex condition that requires multiple forms of treatment. TMS is a tool to help rebalance brain function so you can better engage with recovery strategies.
What substances has TMS been studied for?
TMS has been researched for alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, methamphetamine, and opioid use disorders, with most studies showing reduced cravings and improved self-control during treatment.
When will I notice changes?
Some patients feel reduced cravings within 2–3 weeks, while others notice gradual improvements in decision-making, mood, and focus over the full course of treatment.
Can I do TMS while in residential or outpatient treatment?
Yes. TMS can be integrated into existing treatment plans in residential, outpatient, or aftercare settings.
Is TMS safe for people in recovery?
Yes. TMS is non-invasive, has no addictive properties, and does not interfere with most medications used in recovery, including MAT.
When will I start to notice results?
Some people experience reduced cravings within the first few weeks, while others notice gradual improvement over the course of treatment.
Is TMS safe for people with addiction?
Yes. TMS is non-invasive, non-addictive, and generally well-tolerated.
Does insurance cover TMS for addiction?
Coverage is typically limited to FDA-cleared uses such as depression and OCD. For addiction, treatment may be self-pay unless approved on a case-by-case basis.
Learn More About TMS for Addiction
If you’re exploring new approaches to addiction treatment, TMS offers a science-based method of directly targeting the brain circuits involved in cravings and compulsive use. Contact Applied TMS to learn if this treatment could be right for you.
