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When it comes to treatment for substance use disorder, there are many forms of treatment available. There’s no one-size-fits-all option for addiction treatment. Those who suffer from substance use disorder all come from different cultures, environments, worldviews, and experiences. Having treatment that’s tailor-fitted to their needs is imperative to their success. For many of these individuals, holistic therapy is the best course of action.
What is Holistic Therapy?
Holistic therapy for addiction treatment is a method of care in which non-medicinal practices are used in harmony with traditional treatment. The idea of holistic therapy is to treat the mind, body, and soul through non-medical, more natural means. Overall well-being is at the forefront, not just symptoms of withdrawal (not to say that symptoms of withdrawal aren’t also treated); this means helping a person release endorphins, connect spiritually, and reduce stress.
In regards to what holistic therapies offer specifically, it’s mostly non-medical treatment methods. Those who specialize in holistic addiction therapy treat physical and mental symptoms of substance use disorder. Not only that, but they also treat emotional issues and nutritional problems.
There are some areas in which holistic therapy can be hindered, such as an unhealthy diet, poor sleeping habits, and stress. Those who participate in holistic therapy should do so with the utmost amount of care and grace. Taking care of every aspect of the body is imperative to the overall success of treatment.
What Is The Goal of Holistic Therapy?
The goal of holistic therapy is to achieve the following:
- Pinpoint the cause of the disorder
- Help resist drug and alcohol cravings
- Boost self-esteem and confidence
- Make the body healthier
- Make substances of abuse seem less attractive
At its simplest level, the goal of holistic therapy is the same as any other form of treatment. The methods, however, inform and help the goals make more sense. While the aspect of helping others recover from their substance use disorder remains, the means differ.
Types of Holistic Therapy
As if the concept of holistic therapy weren’t niche enough, there are many different kinds of holistic therapy that exist. From acupuncture to Tai Chi, there are many different holistic therapy methods that position people to live healthier. Some of these methods include the following:
- Meditation
- Nutritional therapy
- Art therapy
- Counseling
- Yoga
- Exercise therapy
- Recreational therapy
- Tai Chi
- Spiritual therapy
- Massage therapy
- Counseling
What is Nutritional Therapy?
Addiction treatment and therapy have a lot of moving parts. One of these moving parts is a healthy mind and body. This is why having a proper diet while being treated is crucial. Good nutrition helps the body perform its best. Eating and hydrating well allow individuals to make their goals of sobriety a visible, tangible reality. All in all, nutritional therapy helps people build the temple of their body back so that they can achieve all that they deserve to achieve.
What is Recreational Therapy?
Recreational therapy is an exercise that helps individuals relieve stress, build strength, and establish and maintain a routine. More specifically, recreational therapy is a method of care in which those who participate use exercise as a means to develop their soul, mind, and body.
Many treatment centers offer exercise as a part of their holistic rehab options. Where people go for treatment could determine what kind of exercise is available to them. For example, some places offer horseback riding and canoeing. Others may offer hiking or something else that’s location specific.
What is Meditation Therapy?
Those participating in substance abuse treatment have to have a clear perspective when it comes to beating it. Being open to new experiences is also important. For some people, meditation may seem like a long shot. In fact, when most people think of meditation, they think of the stereotypical legs crossed, arms out with deep breaths. While that may seem pretty accurate, there’s much more to it than just a simple pose and deep breathing. Meditation therapy helps reduce stress, increase patience, and reduce negative thought patterns.
What are Massage and Acupuncture Therapy?
Massage and acupuncture therapy is a kind of therapy that involves massages and acupuncture. This form of treatment has been known to enhance tranquility and reduce stress. Massage and acupuncture therapy helps a person relax his or her body. Not only that, but those who have participated in acupuncture therapy before have seen more balance in their lives overall.
Forms of Addiction Treatment
When it comes to treatment for substance use disorder, there are a multitude of different treatments; while holistic therapy may be the best course of action for one person, it may not be for another. As previously mentioned, there’s no cookie-cutter kind of addiction treatment that works for everybody.
The holistic programs that are most successful work in harmony with other treatment methods. No matter how well someone does at guiding someone towards a more holistic way of living, there will always be harsh realities of addiction treatment. Some of this includes the more messy aspects of everything like withdrawal.
Come other forms of treatment that pair with holistic care include the following:
- Residential treatment
- Outpatient treatment
- Medically Assisted Detox
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
What is Residential Treatment?
Primarily for those who suffer from more intense forms of addiction, inpatient treatment is an effective strategy. Residential treatment can last anywhere from 28 days to over six months. This method of treatment allows those who participate to stay at a treatment facility 24/7. Their activities are closely monitored by professional medical personnel. Not only that, but those who participate in residential treatment attend weekly (in some cases daily) therapy. Their room and meals throughout the day are also taken care of.
What is Outpatient Treatment?
Outpatient treatment is a method of care that allows those who participate to get the treatment that they need with minimal disruption to their daily lives. It is meant for those who suffer from milder forms of substance use disorder. It is also a good stepping stone for those who need a better transition between the facility and the world outside treatment.
Those who participate in outpatient holistic therapy are able to fulfill their responsibilities like school or work throughout the day while attending treatment in the afternoon/evening (should they decide that’s the best course of action for them). The details of outpatient holistic rehab look something like 10-12 hours of weekly therapy from professional therapists/psychiatrists.
What is Medically Assisted Detox and Treatment?
Medically assisted detox and treatment help patients manage withdrawal symptoms by providing them with medication that curbs them. When it comes to detoxing from drugs, the process is a bit difficult to navigate without professional help. For example, some people who want to get off of drugs will typically try and detox themselves without the help of professional medical personnel. When this happens, people tend to panic when withdrawal sets in, possibly leading to a relapse.
Medication-assisted treatment helps those who have the potential to relapse. This is done by providing them with medication that alleviates withdrawal symptoms. The less that people feel their withdrawal symptoms, the more that they may feel capable of moving past their addictions.
What is Individual Therapy?
Individual therapy is a method of treatment in which those who participate attend a counseling session by themselves. The environment is a lot more personal and intimate, allowing those who attend individual sessions to focus on themselves as opposed to others or the world around them. This is a great option for those who require an approach that fixates on their individual progress.
There are many different kinds of therapy in addiction treatment. The different facets of holistic therapy for addiction treatment have been explored thoroughly in this article. However, that’s not to say other methods of therapy may work better for another person.
What is Group Therapy?
Group therapy is a kind of counseling that is a lot less individually-centered. The focus is certainly directed towards the group and their overall progress over time. The treatment is more Socratic in method in that those who participate take turns talking amongst each other and acknowledging and validating their pain.
Group therapy helps those who take part to work towards a common goal together find new ways to cope. These sessions are typically monitored/moderated by trained professionals (most often professional therapists or psychiatrists).
Is Holistic Treatment Right for Me?
There are many treatment programs that are best for certain individuals; whether or not holistic treatment is right for you is a question that you may find within yourself. That doesn’t mean you have to do so alone though.
Individualized care is at the forefront of everything we do here at Lifetime Recovery. Here, we will walk with you to ensure that you find the method of care that is right for you.
As previously mentioned, there are certain kinds of treatment that work well for some people, and alternative forms of care that are better for others. Whichever forms of addiction treatment you’ll use depend on what you respond best to. If you or a loved one is interested in finding out more about holistic therapy for addiction treatment.
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