Holistic Treatment Supports Lasting Recovery

Holistic Treatment for Substance Use Disorder

Can holistic treatments help you with your drug or alcohol addiction?

To be clear, holistic treatment is never a replacement for licensed clinical care. However, it can offer support for withdrawal symptoms, health improvement, and whole-body and mind cleansing. For many people, it can also help treat chronic pain and ease depression. For all of these reasons, holistic care should be a component of your treatment whenever possible.

What Is Holistic Care in Addiction?

To support recovery, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration says four things have to come together:

• You have to learn to manage and overcome your disease and symptoms while making healthy choices for both emotional and physical wellbeing.
• You must have a stable place to live free from key risk factors.
• You need to have independence, resources to help you thrive in society, and meaningfulness in your day.
• You must have strong support networks, including relationships focused on hope and love.

How do you get from this place of addiction to a place like this? Two things have to happen. The first is to eliminate the physical dependency. Second, you need to encourage wellbeing, health, and positiveness in your life. This is where holistic care comes into play. It can help heal your soul, so to speak, while drug and alcohol treatment works to heal your physical body.

What Holistic Methods Are You Using?

Many times, you’ll work closely with your therapist to develop new hobbies and interests during treatment. Try to choose those that offer holistic benefits. Here are a few examples to get started.

Exercise

Exercise helps to burn off stress while also working to build self-esteem and confidence. It also helps release “feel good” hormones in the body. Choose exercises right for your interests and your body’s needs such as:

• Yoga
• Cardio
• Swimming
• Biking
• Team sports

Activities You Enjoy

In some situations, the best holistic care is that which allows you to explore a talent you naturally have. Even if you think you don’t have such a talent, try something new. You may find it is an excellent form of healing. Consider options such as:

• Art therapy
• Gardening
• Pet therapy
• Equine therapy
• Cooking

Massage Therapy

One of the most important ways to stimulate both body and mind healing is with massage therapy. It works to increase the blood flow to specific areas of the body, helping to reduce tension and inflammation in those areas. It can help reduce chronic pain. It can also help you to unwind when stress levels rise would otherwise lead you to self-medicate.

Meditation

During addiction treatment, you will learn numerous coping methods for handling high-trigger events and stressful situations. The goal is to help you avoid relapse. For many people, meditation is one of the most powerful ways to do this. It works to center your mind and thought patterns, bringing them away from the desire to use and focusing them on your long-term goal. It also helps you to be more mindful in your day-to-day life. This may help you make better decisions.

Nutrition

Can nutrition be considered a holistic approach to healing and wellbeing? It most certainly can be! Nutrition is all about biochemical restoration and balance. When you change your diet, you alter the way your body reacts to its surroundings. Biochemical imbalances are common causes for anxiety, depression, and cravings. They can also impact your thought patterns. By feeding your body a balanced diet densely packed with whole nutrition, you can improve your health both physically and mentally.

Building a Holistic Foundation for Recovery

Focusing on whole body wellness can open the door to healing of the mind, body, and spirit. Work closely with your addiction counseling team to learn more about the various ways holistic treatment can add to your recovery.

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