Recovering from addiction is a unique journey that looks different for everyone. Still, there are tried-and-true techniques that make some people’s recovery more beneficial than those who skip professional treatment.
As more research is performed, we know now that the best addiction services combine a balance of traditional methods and innovative techniques in a holistic approach. You’ll find these in centers that offer holistic therapy in Los Angeles and other major cities.
What is this “new” method, and is it truly effective? Here, we’ll discuss the holistic approach to treatment in addiction recovery and why it’s gaining steam so quickly across the country.
What Does “Holistic Treatment” Mean?
The term “holistic” is seen everywhere in healthcare discussions today, but it’s primarily used as an approach to wellness. Holistic methods treat the whole person rather than the condition or symptom.
Contrary to common misunderstandings, holistic therapies work alongside traditional treatment methods to complement them and fill in any gaps. For instance, someone using a holistic approach to cancer treatment might receive chemotherapy and radiation but also take the proper vitamins and minerals to ensure their body is treated from the inside, too. They might also undergo counseling to handle their mental distress.
What Does the Holistic Approach to Addiction Look Like?
Just as cancer is a disease, so is alcoholism and addiction. Since 1956, this condition has been classified as a disease by the American Medical Association, and addictions in general were granted this label in 1987. Categorized as a chronic brain disorder, this label took away the definition of addiction as a result of bad choices and poor behavior and placed it where it belongs—as a chemical dependence.
Using the holistic approach to substance recovery, professionals work with the patient to minimize withdrawal symptoms, reduce the potential for relapse, and improve their overall well-being. With a positive outlook on life and optimal physical health, those who enter the recovery center as an addict can leave with a new lease on life to move forward successfully.
But what does this look like?
The interesting thing about holistic addiction treatments is that you might not even recognize they’re there. They blend in seamlessly with other mainstream recovery techniques that have been part of addiction methods as far back as Alcoholics Anonymous and their famous ten-step program.
In short, a patient’s holistic addiction recovery would include multiple professionals working together to integrate a treatment plan designed with the patient’s physical, mental, and spiritual needs in mind. Standard and non-traditional therapies that cover this approach include talk or cognitive counseling (psychoanalysis), medications as necessary, and breathwork or hypnotherapy. The intended effect would target the person’s overall health, not the substance specifically or its symptoms.
Evidence-Based Approaches
Whether you believe in holistic methods or not, many of these practices have been around for thousands of years. Studies continually show that holistic techniques lead to improved well-being, self-confidence, and mental health. Unfortunately, insurance companies can’t put a tangible number on these kinds of improvements, so holistic therapies are not usually covered by insurance.
With no negative side effects, holistic approaches continue to be used successfully in substance addiction recovery. These can include therapies like:
● Yoga and meditation
● Acupuncture
● Hydrotherapy
● Sound therapy
● Energy healing
● Tai Chi
● Biofeedback/Neurofeedback
● Art therapy
If you think you or a loved one may need help recovering from an addiction, look into centers that customize the approach for each person’s unique struggles. Whether this includes holistic treatment or not, the optimal strategy to overcome addiction is always to meet the person’s needs, and that is never a one-size-fits-all approach.
