What is Holistic Addiction Treatment and How Does it Work?

Holistic treatment offers much greater potential for customization and individualization. Instead of trying to fit themselves into an inflexible program, patients can pick and choose holistic therapies that best fit their needs. Treatments like acupuncture, meditation, biofeedback, and massage therapy can be mixed and matched to create a customized recovery experience.

Addressing Unique Needs and Circumstances

A 2019 randomized control trial of 230 adolescent females in India suggests that individuals who underwent a 1-month holistic-based stress management program were less stressed, anxious, and depressed than the control group. Though the practice of holistic therapy has existed for centuries, Crawford says it’s only recently that practitioners in the Western hemisphere have begun integrating it into their practices. Older 2007 research credits ancient Greek philosopher Hippocrates as one historical figure who laid the foundations for holistic therapy. Different forms of holistic therapy also existed in traditional medicine systems, such as Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

Art therapy

Holistic drug rehab centers incorporate energy healing techniques into their treatment plans, offering a unique recovery approach that caters to the emotional and spiritual aspects of addiction. Many treatment centers offer holistic therapy as part of their inpatient and outpatient treatment programs. Overall, treatment centers that offer holistic recovery are generally more expensive than traditional addiction treatment options and are often considered luxury rehabs.

Art Therapy

Holistic therapies focus on the patient’s physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. Paying attention to eachaspect may expedite recovery and create a more stable body and mind. Holistic treatments often acknowledge the gut-brain connection, emphasizing gut health as a path to mental well-being. A balanced gut can influence neurotransmitter activity, impacting mood and cravings in addiction recovery. These advancements in technology have the potential to greatly improve the way we approach holistic addiction treatment.

Many treatment programs will include this as educational groups alongside dietary nutritional programs to ensure proper nutrients are received in early recovery. With that being said, depending on the individual, some holistic treatments are going to be more effective than others. Therefore, it’s important that holistic treatment be tailored to suit an individual’s specific needs and recovery goals.

Benefits of Holistic Healing

She says people with these conditions are not disqualified from seeking holistic therapy, but they may require extra support and should continue to take medications as advised. Sumpf and Crawford believe anyone can try holistic therapy, but certain types of therapy may not be best for some individuals. A 2017 systemic review and meta-analysis indicates that meditation might have a small effect on chronic pain and improve depression symptoms. A 2021 randomized control trial of people on probation in Hong Kong suggests that individuals who underwent a family holistic health intervention involving simple physical activity had better family communication.

There are many benefits to holistic treatments for healing and improving wellbeing. There are beneficial effects of holistic treatment for depression, anxiety, stress, cognitive function, family communication, chronic pain, PTSD, and addiction (Ventegodt et al., 2006). Since holistic substance abuse treatment represents a more comprehensive approach, you often see lower relapse and recidivism rates with holistic care. Again, this is largely due to the fact that holistic treatment is more comprehensive, addressing both symptoms and underlying causes of addiction. Abruptly ceasing one’s alcohol or drug intake causes stress and anxiety by default. Patients also confront the full extent of their emotions — without intoxicants diluting them — for the first time in quite a while.

Holistic treatment techniques such as yoga, massage, guided imagery, meditation, and spiritual practices have been found to be beneficial for individuals with serious mental health issues (Russinova et al., 2002). Meditative practices, including yoga and tai chi, help increase focus and clarity of mind, improve the mind-body connection, and teach mindfulness practices that are key for relapse prevention. Meditation therapy can also help ease many mental health symptoms that many people deal with while in addiction recovery, including stress, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. For some individuals, as a result, the biggest downside to seeking holistic recovery centers is a financial one. While you may be able to locate state-funded or free or low-cost rehab options, some patients might have to pay out of their own pocket if they are determined to undergo holistic treatments for alcohol and drug addiction.

Learning to cope with emotional setbacks in a healthy way is essential in maintaining recovery. It involves placing thin needles at various points in the body to stimulate healing. We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses. Participation in support groups equips families with the strength and resources necessary to bolster their loved one’s recovery journey and foster healing within the family unit. Research has demonstrated positive neural effects when experiencing and participating in forms of art and expressive therapies (Stuckey & Nobel, 2010). Beth Ann Mayer is a New York-based freelance writer and content strategist who specializes in health and parenting writing.

Incorporating complementary, alternative, or holistic treatment into traditional, evidence-based methods is an approach that more and more people are seeking in healthcare. Addiction recovery programs are an ideal setting for integrative holistic treatments because the disease of addiction takes a toll on every area of a person’s life and health. Effective drug and alcohol abuse treatment must address drug addiction’s mental, emotional, and physical aspects for successful recovery. The fallout of problem drinking or opioid abuse is felt in different ways by different people. It can affect or destroy relationships, derail careers, worsen a pre-existing mental health condition, and damage physical health. Tailoring care to address those factors can take away the oxygen that powers substance abuse.

Acupuncture, which stimulates specific body points, activates receptors in the central nervous system and modulates dopamine release, effectively aiding in relapse prevention and promoting relaxation. The goal of holistic medicine is to improve health, educate clients, and create sustainable wellness over a lifetime. Holistic therapies encourage positive choices that improve mind, body, and spirit to actually prevent, rather than just treat, illness and disease and increase vitality and longevity.

While activities vary based on the rehab center, common activities include personal fitness, climbing, canoeing, hiking, horseback riding, and more. This article explains holistic rehab, including what it involves, the different treatments offered, and how it can help with long-term recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. meth withdrawal symptoms timeline & detox treatment Still, you may want to consider the inclusion of specific evidence-based approaches, such as group therapy or medication-assisted treatment (MAT), as these are not available at all rehab centers offering holistic approaches. To find out if a rehab center offers holistic therapies, contact a nearby treatment center.

Because even though counseling, group therapy, and other clinical treatments are important, rehabilitation often requires more than just clinical techniques. There’s no shortage of evidence supporting the efficacy of holistic addiction treatment. Because when it comes down to it, holistic care treats the whole person and not just the symptoms. Research suggests that holistic therapy can be effective when used as part of an overall, comprehensive treatment plan that also incorporates more traditional, evidence-based therapies. Yoga uses breathing techniques, body postures, and meditation to improve your health.

Sound therapy, utilizing instruments like gongs or singing bowls, can be an adjunct in holistic addiction treatment. The resonating sounds can promote relaxation, reduce stress, and help patients connect with their emotions. Family therapy sessions play an important role in holistic addiction treatment by helping families understand addiction, strengthen communication, and create effective coping strategies. During these sessions, families can openly discuss their experiences with addiction, gain knowledge about addiction, and collaborate on strategies to support the person in recovery. These success stories serve as a testament to the effectiveness of holistic addiction treatment in helping individuals regain control of their lives and achieve long-term recovery. Some effective holistic techniques to treat PTSD include herbal medicine, meditation, yoga, deep-breathing exercises, and other mind–body therapies.

Though more research is needed, the authors suggest that the preliminary results indicate that reiki could be useful for end-of-life care. A 2017 study of 40 healthy adults indicates that diaphragmatic breathing, a common tool in holistic 3 ways to stop taking wellbutrin therapy, could improve cognitive function and lower stress responses. Holistic therapy can be a useful supplement to standard rehab, including medical detoxification (detox) services for early and protracted withdrawal symptoms.

Sumpf says the end goal of holistic therapy is the ability to self-regulate, or effectively manage thoughts and feelings. Sumpf points out that trauma is sometimes thought of as a mental health condition, but it can manifest physically as well. Holistic therapy cocaine crack may be a buzzword in the mental health space today, but it has existed for centuries. It’s very similar to general therapy or counseling but often draws on complementary and alternative practices that the therapist may also have in their toolbox.

1. After an initial assessment, a holistic therapist will create a treatment plan in collaboration with the client.
2. Research has found that holistic therapies can enhanceaddiction recovery when combined with traditional substance use disorder treatments and self-help groups.
3. According to the modality of holistic therapy, it’s possible to treat the whole person at once — mind, body, and spirit.
4. Many holistictreatment modalities exist, and people around the world use these therapies to treat various health problems.

A form of traditional Japanese healing, Reiki is based on the notion that our energy flows through several points in the body, called chakras. When energy doesn’t flow properly or there is a blockage, our physical and mental health suffers. Reiki is used to work through stress, anxiety, and past traumas which are related to the root causes of addiction. During art therapy, visual art-making, drama, dance, and movement are used to work through past traumas related to addiction and improve physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Art therapy is also used to help individuals find meaning and spiritually recover from addiction.

Research shows that this can improve patients’ willingness to participate, open up, and share their past. Nutritional interventions provide those in recovery with proper nutrition through healthy meals which are designed to improve health and promote healing. Addiction Resource aims to provide only the most current, accurate information in regards to addiction and addiction treatment, which means we only reference the most credible sources available. If you or your loved one is interested in holistic services and looking for a more comprehensive approach to recovery, holistic programs may be the right choice. Rehab centers that offer holistic options only are relatively rare, but options do exist. Proper sleep aids in physical recovery, mood regulation, and reduced cravings, offering a foundation for sustainable sobriety.