Holistic Treatment for Substance Abuse

Holistic medicine is a popular trend in our country today. But as more and more people have made use of this philosophy of treatment over the years, it is proving to be more than merely a trend. Holistic treatment is now used for many different ailments, including substance addiction and alcoholism.

The definition of holistic treatment is an approach that focuses on mind, body, and spirit to achieve wellness. Holistic methods will usually incorporate things like massage, relaxation techniques, nutrition, and even meditation and spirituality. The goal is to create a feeling of calm and balance in the body and mind, and a relief from stress.

Holistic treatment might not be for everyone. In fact, those that are resistant to getting help, especially a non-traditional type of help, might not see the maximum results. But for those that are open to this type of treatment, here are a few components to holistic treatment they can expect to see:

Nutritional Therapy

We all could probably do a better job of eating healthy, but drug addicts and alcoholics suffer the results of a poor diet more than most of us. Many addicts are more focused on their substance of choice than a healthy diet, and the foods they do eat may react negatively with the substances they are addicted to. For these reasons, focusing on healthy food and nutritional supplements as the patient is going through rehab can greatly improve their health. Sometimes it will mean eliminating things from their diet, such as sugars or additives, and other times it will be adding herbal supplements that are necessary to heal the body.

Exercise and Meditation

The mind of an addict is often clouded and filled with anxiety and stress. Things like Yoga and Tai-Chi are often used to exercise the body, but also provide great benefits to the mind. Drug addicts and alcoholics often struggle to gain control in their lives, and these techniques are known to help people relax and remove the negative thoughts and scattered minds that are often a result of drugs. These types of exercise and meditation are used to balance the body and to put the mind at ease.

Acupuncture and Massage

Physical touch can also help a recovering drug addict. Massage helps relax the body and calm the mind, and acupuncture works to eliminate the imbalance in energy caused by substance abuse. Both of these can help a recovering addict by lessening withdrawal symptoms and help them prepare for the tough journey of sobriety ahead of them.

In addition to the techniques listed above, there are many more ways holistic treatment is used to help recovering addicts. Treatment of this sort should be personalized to suit the needs of the individual, and most people that specialize in holistic treatment would agree that it is most helpful when used in connection with traditional forms of treatment such as counseling or support groups.

Unsure where to start? Take Our Substance Abuse Self-Assessment

Take our free, 5-minute substance abuse self-assessment below if you think you or someone you love might be struggling with substance abuse. This evaluation consists of 11 yes or no questions that are designed to be used as an informational tool to assess the severity and probability of a substance use disorder. The test is free, confidential, and no personal information is needed to receive the result. Please be aware that this evaluation is not a substitute for advice from a medical doctor.