People struggling with addiction of any type are going through an intense and often difficult process that impacts their mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Once you make the decision to get help for addiction, all of that damage needs to heal. No longer using the substance is a wise first step, but there’s often a lot more work to be done. That’s where the use of alternative therapies can offer support to your recovery.

What Is an Alternative Therapy for Addiction?

An alternative therapy for addiction recovery typically focuses on improving a person’s health beyond just treating the physical symptoms of illness. In the case of addiction, science-based therapies such as talk therapy are critical to learning about your addiction, how to stop using substances, and how to manage stress and cravings. Yet, alternative therapies aim to go further and often work well as a complement to your treatment.

To be clear, alternative therapies for addiction do not replace professional addiction treatment provided in a drug addiction treatment center. They work with them.

Do Alternative Therapies Help with Addiction?

Alternative therapies, often called complementary medicine, can provide some level of support to the recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. A study published in the National Library of Medicine took a global perspective on the use of alternative medicine as a complementary treatment for addiction and found that many forms can be supportive in the recovery process.

These programs aim to help not only during withdrawal or active treatment but also on an ongoing basis. Addiction is a life-long condition, one that requires ongoing support. Alternative therapies can help to ease stress, lessen chronic pain, and improve mental health challenges.

At Victory Addiction Recovery Center, you’ll experience holistic and alternative therapies for drug addiction while you are in our residential treatment program. These may include spirituality programs, meditation, and fitness-focused programs. These are a starting point, but many additional types of complementary treatments and therapies are also available.

Types of Alternative Therapy That Supports Addiction Recovery

A range of alternative therapies exist, each offering a different way of supporting your body and brain after addiction. The following are some examples. You can choose those that most appeal to you or work to manage the specific symptoms and struggles you have in addiction recovery.

Mindfulness-based therapy

Mindfulness therapy brings back attention to what’s happening in your life in each moment. It is about increasing your personal awareness. By recognizing what is happening within your body and in your thought process, you gain the opportunity to control thoughts and feelings more effectively. There are a range of mindfulness-based therapies that can be beneficial in addiction recovery, including:

• Yoga
• Meditation
• Breathing exercises

Art and music therapy programs

Engaging in art and music therapy can also provide a wide range of benefits to your mental health during addiction recovery. These programs provide an outlet for expression, allowing you to communicate thoughts, feelings, emotions, and frustrations without having to say a word. You do not have to have art- or music-based skills or experience to benefit from these programs. They can be supportive and therapeutic, often simply providing a mental health break from the stress of addiction.

Biofeedback and neurofeedback

Rather newer types of alternative treatment, biofeedback and neurofeedback are designed to monitor the function of the brain to help you intervene in times of stress and anxiety. If you are one of the many people struggling with co-occurring disorders, such as addiction with depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder, these therapies may help you. Research published in the National Library of Medicine found that biofeedback and neurofeedback can be supportive in the treatment of addiction.

Other alternative therapies

Take a look at the following alternative therapies that can also support you during your drug and alcohol addiction recovery process:

• Acupuncture: This method of treatment helps to stimulate the immune system and restore positive energy flow through the body.
• Light therapy: For many people, the use of light therapy can help to stimulate healthy brain function.
• Equine therapy: Spending time caring for and learning from horses is one of the most invigorating types of holistic care.

How Can You Get Started in Addiction Recovery

If you are facing drug and alcohol addiction right now, your first step is to engage in professional treatment. Our trusted and compassionate professionals at Victory Addiction Recovery Center are ready to help you. Contact us to learn more about our treatment programs in Lafayette, LA. Let us provide you with a safe, welcoming place where you can focus on healing. We’re here for you 24 hours a day. 

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