Holistic approaches, such as meditation, yoga, acupuncture, massage therapy, and natural plant-based treatments, may enable patients to not only free themselves from their addictions but also to experience long-term improvements in their overall physical and mental health, their relationships, and other essential aspects of their daily lives.
Full Answer
What is a holistic approach to addiction treatment?
With this in mind, a holistic approach to addiction treatment should ideally aim to not only curtail isolated addictive behaviors, but to adequately address a broad set of factors that play a role in the development of the addiction to begin with.
Can holistic therapies improve recovery from substance use disorders?
Adherents of CAM practices advocate that they can improve chances of lasting recovery from substance use disorders. However, it is generally recommended that holistic therapies be used in combination with standard treatment efforts, and not as a replacement for more traditional, evidence-based approaches.
What is drug addiction and how can it be treated?
What is drug addiction? Drug addiction is a chronic disease characterized by compulsive, or uncontrollable, drug seeking and use despite harmful consequences and changes in the brain, which can be long-lasting. These changes in the brain can lead to the harmful behaviors seen in people who use drugs.
Is holistic treatment effective?
And according to a 2009 study published in the International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health, holistic treatment is efficient in treating chronic illnesses such as mental health disorders and other health-related problems. In the United States, holistic treatment is growing in popularity.
What is a holistic approach to treatment?
A holistic treatment approach considers the whole person rather than just their illness or disorder. A person is made up of different parts that can be physical, emotional, spiritual, or environmental.
How do you overcome the problem of drug addiction?
Tips to overcome drug addiction:Surround yourself with supportive people. One of the most important things you can do to stay sober is to find friends who are sober, too. ... Find new hobbies. ... Exercise. ... Volunteer. ... Eat well. ... Talk it out. ... Meditate. ... Seek professional help.
What are 3 reasons why someone does not seek treatment for their addiction?
They weren't ready to stop using. ... They couldn't afford it. ... They didn't know where to get treatment. ... They were afraid of what their neighbors might think. ... They were afraid it might affect their job.
What is considered the most effective treatment for substance abuse?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is a one-on-one therapy during which you meet privately with a therapist over a period of time. It's often considered the most effective therapy for drug and alcohol use disorders.
What are some benefits of avoiding drugs?
Important Mental and Physical Benefits of Getting SoberBetter Focus and Memory. ... Reduce Heart Attack and Cancer Risk. ... Look Younger and Lose Weight. ... You'll Sleep Better. ... Increase Self-Esteem and Mental Health. ... You'll Have Better Relationships.
Which of the following are possible barriers to someone getting addiction treatment?
6 Barriers that Get in the Way of Addiction TreatmentThey feel they do not need treatment. ... They are not ready to stop using. ... They do not have health coverage or cannot afford the costs. ... They worry about the negative effect treatment will have on job or school. ... They do not know where to go for help.
What are some barriers to avoiding drugs?
These barriers may include:A complicated system of care to treat SUDs. ... Lack of interagency coordination and communication. ... Limited resources and personnel. ... Lack of mental health services. ... Insufficient capacity in hospitals to treat SUDs. ... Transportation barriers. ... Homelessness and substandard housing.More items...
What makes a treatment effective?
To be effective, treatment must address the individual's drug abuse and any associated medical, psychological, social, vocational, and legal problems. It is also important that treatment be appropriate to the individual's age, gender, ethnicity, and culture.
What is the first step in treating a drug abuse problem?
Detoxification is normally the first step in treatment. This involves clearing a substance from the body and limiting withdrawal reactions. In 80 percent of cases, a treatment clinic will use medications to reduce withdrawal symptoms, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
What is a treatment plan for substance abuse?
A substance abuse treatment plan is an individualized, written document that details a client's goals and objectives, the steps need to achieve those, and a timeline for treatment. These plans are mutually agreed upon with the client and the clinician.
How does holistic medicine help with addiction?
According to the American Holistic Health Association, holistic medicine educates clients and encourages them to actively participate in their own recovery. Through the holistic philosophy, individuals suffering from addiction learn to protect many areas of their health.
What is the best treatment for addiction?
Acupuncture. Acupuncture is the practice of inserting needles into specific points in the body to alleviate pain or treat various health conditions. When used with addiction treatment, acupuncture may help reduce anxiety, cravings, irritability and withdrawal symptoms.
What is holistic treatment?
Holistic treatment is composed of several nontraditional therapies intended to treat all facets of a person’s health. Many rehab centers have incorporated alternative therapies into treatment plans to enhance addiction recovery.
How many people use holistic medicine?
In the United States, holistic treatment is growing in popularity. More than 30 percent of American adults and about 12 percent of children have used some form of complementary or alternative medicine, according to a 2016 report by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.
How can I help my addiction recovery?
Prayer. Religion and spirituality can strengthen addiction recovery. Through prayer, people can gain a greater sense of awareness and connection to a higher power. Prayer can also decrease stress, reduce feelings of powerlessness and provide a sense of optimism.
How can I overcome addiction?
Nutrition Therapy. Maintaining a healthy diet can help people overcome addiction. Eating healthy and staying hydrated can invigorate the mind and body and may expedite recovery. Many treatment centers incorporate healthy, well-balanced meals and snacks into treatment plans.
How does art therapy help?
Through art therapy, people can help manage behaviors, assuage emotional conflict, increase self-awareness and develop social skills. It can also increase self-esteem and reduce anxiety.
Defining Holistic Addiction Treatment
Holistic addiction treatment is an approach that takes into account the emotional, mental, and spiritual needs of the individual in addition to the persons physical state. Often, people equate holistic care with non-medical care. However, this is not always the case.
Treatment Compliance And Completion
A person that remains compliant with addiction treatment will have better outcomes compared to someone with a shorter duration of treatment. With this in mind, CAM approaches can be helpful by keeping the individual engaged and active in their course of addiction treatment.
Types Of Holistic Treatment
If you have been pondering the question of what is holistic addiction treatment, you will probably want to know more about what it is and what types of treatments are used. With so many different approaches available, the exact holistic therapies used will depend on the treatment provider.
What Is Holistic Approach
The dictionary defines holism as the idea that the whole is more than merely the sum of its parts.
What Role Does Mental Health Have In Addiction Treatment
Mental health issues are often a contributing factor to substance abuse, and the effects of some substances can make the symptoms of mental illness harder to manage. When treating substance abuse, it is important to understand the whole person.
Other Holistic Treatment Approaches
While the above holistic treatments are some of the most studied approaches, other holistic substance abuse treatments may include:
What Constitutes Moderate Drinking
Moderate drinking is defined by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans as someone of legal drinking age limiting their alcohol consumption each day by the specific guidelines they set out. Those guidelines are two or fewer drinks a day for men and one drink or less a day for women.
What is holistic addiction treatment?
Holistic addiction treatment goes beyond addiction and takes a whole person approach to recovery and living a life of sobriety.
Why is holistic treatment important?
Because holistic treatment takes a whole person approach, individuals who participate in it learn more stress reducing and self-regulation techniques compared to those who only engage in traditional addiction treatments.
Can addiction heal?
As part of the healing process, the things that lead you down the road to addiction must be addressed and dealt with. Without this step, healing cannot happen and relapse is more likely to occur, as the reasons behind the addiction are still present.
Does the body heal itself?
Many believe that the body can naturally heal itself if given the opportunity to do so, and many of the holistic elements included in addiction treatment are designed to promote the mind, body, and spirit to heal on their own. This encourages individuals to take control of their lives, their recovery, and the process of healing from addiction.
What is holistic treatment?
Holistic treatment programs use natural methods to focus on all aspects of a person’s health. Your physical and mental health are linked. Holistic therapies focus on finding the source problems that led to your addictions, rather than just treating the symptoms.
How does exercise help with substance abuse?
Exercise can help relieve depression and anxiety symptoms , which sometimes lead to substance abuse issues. Exercise can also work as a relapse prevention tool by increasing feel-good chemicals in the brain. These chemicals can decrease when you abuse drugs or alcohol.
Why is yoga considered a therapy?
Yoga is a popular therapy because it combines mindfulness with physical activity. Yoga uses breathing techniques, body postures, and meditation to improve your health. It can relieve stress and anxiety and helps patients practice coping mechanisms.
How does art therapy help?
Art therapy helps confront emotional conflict, practice behavior management, increase awareness, gain social skills, and can even reduce anxiety and boost self-esteem.
How does massage therapy help with recovery?
Many people experience high levels of stress and pain due to physical symptoms of recovery. Massage therapy can help relieve pain and stress.
Why is nutrition therapy important?
It is especially important during and following detox, as your body will go through significant changes.
What is the best way to relax?
Meditation is a mindfulness practice that focuses on relaxing the mind and body. It can help reduce stress, anxiety, depression, pain, and problems sleeping. Many people in recovery suffer from these problems, which makes meditation a useful aid.
Holistic Therapy for the Mind
Hobbies are a mainstay of a healthy and enjoyable existence. In everyday life — and especially when you’re physically going through the rehabilitation process — too much time spent doing nothing is rarely fulfilling. Rehab is a great place to interact with your peers and get motivated to find which leisure activities you enjoy the most.
Holistic Therapy for the Body
Along with providing a welcome distraction from withdrawal or cravings, recreational activities involve moving your body and contribute towards fitness. Physical health and happiness are strongly linked. Exercise releases natural feel-good chemicals in your brain, and there’s something for everyone.
Holistic Therapy for the Soul
For many people, using substances becomes a method of coping with challenges or making us feel better about ourselves. One of the main priorities in recovery is helping you understand that there are plenty of other, more effective ways to get fulfillment from life and to make you feel good.