Holistic methods of addiction treatment are considered to be an effective natural alternative for achieving sobriety.
Common addiction treatments such as medically assisted detox and rehab can be paired with holistic therapy as a way of helping those suffering from substance use disorder to come to terms with their thoughts and feelings.
Holistic therapy can be a real eye-opening experience for many going through a journey of recovery as it pushes you to self-reflect which we can all find difficult at times.
However, the benefits of holistic therapy can be life-changing.
This post will explore the ways in which holistic therapy may be an effective treatment or additional treatment for alcohol addiction or drug addiction.
What Is Holistic Therapy?
Holistic therapy is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on the whole person, not just their mental or physical health. It involves looking at how your body and mind are connected as well as how they affect your life.
This can be done through talking with a therapist who has been trained in holistic therapies, attending workshops, reading books about it, or even learning some basic techniques yourself.
Holistic therapy aims to help you become aware of all aspects of your life, including your thoughts, feelings, emotions, beliefs, behaviors, relationships, spirituality, and environment. A holistic therapist will look at these areas together to see if anything is impacting them negatively.
They may also try to uncover any underlying issues that could be causing problems. If this happens, they may suggest ways to change these things so that your life becomes more balanced and healthy.
What Is Addiction?
Addiction is classified as a chronic disease. It influences people’s ability to function normally and causes serious issues in their lives.
Addiction, also known as a Substance Use Disorder, is when an individual uses substances such as alcohol, drugs, or tobacco excessively over time.
The effects of addiction can lead to a variety of problems, including:
- Physical health problems
- Psychological problems
- Social problems
- Legal problems
- Financial problems
- Relationship problems
- Family problems
- Workplace problems
Many who suffer from addiction use several methods to achieve long-term sobriety. Some options available include:
- Self-help groups
- 12-step programs
- Rehabilitation centers
However, everyone’s journey of recovery is different and what may work for one person, may not be as effective for another.
An alternative approach to addiction treatment is holistic therapy. Holistic addiction treatment for addiction stands to be a powerful tool in helping individuals overcome substance abuse.
Can Holistic Therapy Be Used For Treating Addiction?
Many people use holistic therapy when trying to get sober from an addiction. The reason why is that it helps you understand what’s going on inside your head and body, which makes it easier to make changes.
It teaches you how to deal with uncomfortable feelings like anxiety and depression, which can often lead to addictions. It also helps you learn new coping skills, such as relaxation and meditation, which are very effective against stress and anxiety.
Many who suffer from substance use disorder also experience co-occurring disorders such as anxiety, depression, OCD, etc.
Holistic therapy can be used to help treat these conditions as well by uncovering the root cause. It can also teach you how to manage symptoms of co-occurring disorders better by teaching you how to relax and ultimately reduce the risk of relapse.
Relapse is one of the most common reasons why people struggle to sustain long-term sobriety.
To prevent this, holistic therapy provides tools to help you recognize triggers that might lead to relapses. These tools include mindfulness, self-awareness, and emotional regulation.
Mindfulness means being conscious of your actions and reactions without judgment. Self-awareness means knowing yourself better and understanding your own strengths and weaknesses.
Emotional regulation means managing negative emotions and dealing with difficult situations effectively.
Types Of Holistic Addiction Therapy
There are many types of holistic therapy available. Some of these include:
Body-Mind Integration
Body-mind integration therapy works with the body and the mind. It looks at how both your body and your mind work together to create your personality. In addition, it explores how your body affects your mood and vice versa.
It also looks at how your body and brain communicate with each other.
Bioenergetic Analysis
A bioenergetic analysis is a form of energy psychology that uses various methods to explore the energetic field around us. This includes looking at our chakras, meridians, and aura. It also involves exploring our past lives and future lives.
Energy Psychology
Energy psychology is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on the relationship between your thoughts, feelings, and behavior. It’s based on the idea that everything in the universe has energy.
You can think of energy as a vibration that exists within everything. When something vibrates at a certain frequency, it creates a specific emotion. If you change your thought patterns, then you will start feeling differently.
Emotional Freedom Technique
The emotional freedom technique (EFT) is a type of tapping therapy that uses acupressure points to release negative emotions. Tapping is done using the fingers instead of needles. By stimulating acupuncture points, you can quickly relieve pain and increase blood flow.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnosis is a state of deep concentration where you lose awareness of time and space.
During hypnosis, you enter into a trance-like state where you become more suggestible and open to suggestions. Hypnotherapy is often used to help people overcome addictions.
Yoga
Yoga is an ancient practice that combines physical movement with breathing exercises and meditation. It helps you achieve balance in life through its focus on health and wellness. Yoga is practiced worldwide and is known for helping people improve their overall fitness level and mental clarity.
Art Therapy
Art therapy is a way of working with art materials to express feelings. Art therapists use creativity to help clients process their experiences and learn coping skills. They may use clay or paint to help them express themselves.
Counseling
Counseling is a type of talk therapy that helps you deal with problems by talking about them. Counselors usually have training in counseling techniques. They may be able to provide guidance regarding personal issues, or they may specialize in areas such as grief, depression, anxiety, stress management, or anger management.
Dietary Therapy
Dietary therapy is a type of nutrition therapy that focuses on eating healthy foods. Dietitians look at what you eat and how much you eat. They recommend diets that are low in fat, high in fiber, and low in sugar. They also offer advice on meal planning and cooking.
Massage Therapy
A massage therapist uses touch to relax muscles and ease tension. Massages can include Swedish, sports, prenatal, reflexology, shiatsu, hot stone, aromatherapy, or any combination of these therapies.
Mindfulness Meditation
Mindfulness meditation is a type of meditation that teaches you to pay attention to your surroundings without judgment. Instead of focusing on your own thoughts, you focus on what you see, hear, smell, taste, and feel.
Recreational Therapy
Exercise therapy is a type of rehabilitation that involves exercise programs designed to strengthen weak parts of your body. Physical therapists work with patients who need rehab after an injury or surgery. They teach them how to do strength training and other activities safely.
What Are The Benefits Of Holistic Therapy?
There are many benefits to holistic therapy. Here are some of them:
Safe
Unlike traditional drug treatments, holistic therapy doesn’t involve taking drugs. This means that it won’t cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, headaches, and drowsiness.
Reduced Risk
Holistic treatment is free from the use of substances and hence is an effective alternative for those worried about relapse. As there are no substances involved, there is no risk of causing additional withdrawal symptoms.
Natural
In addition to being safe, holistic therapy is natural. Unlike conventional medicine, this form of treatment does not involve the use of chemicals or medications. The use of substances has a critical effect on both the mind and the body.
Holistic therapy stands as a natural and clean alternative that works to expel the body’s toxins.
Takeaway
Holistic therapy is an alternative treatment that can be used in addiction to rehab or other addiction treatments. It serves as a natural and efficient way of enabling individuals to reflect and analyze the root cause behind their addiction or co-occurring disorder.
Though a holistic approach may not be an effective treatment for everyone for achieving long-term sobriety, it offers a magnitude of benefits in other areas of life such as restoring familial relationships, uncovering emotional barriers, and reaching a level of acceptance.
Other Services Offered By Trupath Recovery
Different Addiction treatment Service
Inpatient Drug Rehab
12 Step Program
Drug And Alchol Detox
inaptient outpatient rehab
Outpatient Drug Rehab
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Executive Treatment
Intensive Outpatient Programs
Dual Diagnosis Treatment