For those who have tried the standard approaches to addiction treatment such as 12-step based groups and ‘talk therapy’ it can be discouraging to relapse. Even the 12-step literature tells us, if something isn’t working, we need to change it. But, what about your addiction treatment can you change? Maybe you have been struggling for a long time, or for a short time. You should not quit seeking the method of treatment that will help you, because each addict benefits from a different set of interventions.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with typical rehab, however, some people desire something more natural, more clean, or more suited for the person as a whole. In fact, many benefit from supplemental therapy alongside the standard treatment protocols. This is the case for many who find holistic rehab.
Holistic addiction rehab is relatively new, however, is a new way to experience treatment in forms of alternative medicine. A few of the practices of holistic addiction rehab are as follow:
- Acupuncture
- Meditation
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Yoga
- Reiki
- Chiropractic Care
All of the above are only a small amount of the ever-growing and expanding holistic addiction rehab services. That is what we shall be discussing today. We at Florida House Experience believe you cannot separate the mental self, from the physical self, which is why we believe in utilizing holistic addiction rehab services, as necessary.
What Is It?
Simply put, holistic addiction rehab is an alternative form of rehabilitation. Holistic rehab utilizes different, more natural forms of medicine or treatment from traditional approaches. The desire is to treat the whole person, hence the name holistic. It believes in the unification of the mind, body, and spirit. Thus, it is an approach that acknowledges the spirituality of life. Not so in a religious sense, rather, in a way that might acknowledge a higher power, or a connection to the universe, as well as a deeper connection to the soul.
Along with this, it believes that the mental state of the individual is extremely important. Seeking things that improve the mental health of the individual such as cognitive behavioral therapy, and so on. In this way, Holistic care still utilizes some of the traditional approaches, just the ones that unite the mind body and spirit, as previously stated. The main difference is that holistic care tries to treat the whole person rather than just individual symptoms.
Treating the Mind
Holistic addiction rehab does not necessarily write off many of the traditional forms of therapy that many other forms of addiction rehab use. As previously stated, it will utilize methods that treat the mind, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This is a form that seeks to analyze cognition. The therapist will try to track your mental pathways and identify how to best help you cope. Coping mechanisms are an extremely integral part to our wellbeing as a person. Once these thinking pathways are identified, the goal is to restructure them into developing healthy coping mechanisms. In this way, the individual will be able to cope with the struggles of addiction naturally, through developed mechanisms.
Another form of treating mental health is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, which is rooted in CBT. DBT believes in treating two persistent themes: emotional vulnerability and unhealthy environments. The emotionally vulnerable person is susceptible to lashing out, or producing extreme emotions, at the same time as constantly being in environments that are toxic for them. There is a level of optimism in DBT that is not found in CBT. There are plenty of other mental treatment programs in holistic addiction rehab like art therapy, group therapy, and so on.
Treating the Body
Holistic addiction rehab also has a strong desire to treat the body of the person. Utilizing practices like yoga. Yoga is an incredibly soothing form of exercise, that can combine meditation with mobility, even giving the boost to the person spiritually at the same time as treating the body. Training the body to be able to do different positions has been shown to have positive health effects on the person’s body, as well as helping their mental health.
Another way that holistic addiction rehab treats the body is through acupuncture. This is the practice of piercing various pressure points in the body with sanitary needles, and its use has gone back to ancient times. The old belief is that by targeting these centers balances the qi flow of energy in the body. However, we now know that it stimulates several centers in the body. It has been known to decrease withdrawal symptoms, manage cravings, relax the self, and enhance mental and physical functions. Other ways that holistic addiction rehab treats the body is through stretching, breathing exercises, and much more.
Treating the Soul
Spirituality is very intermittently connected with holistic care. It is the practice of having a deeper knowledge of the self and the universe. This does not mean upholding a strict set of rules and regulations, or even following one religion, or even believing in God. It is more so the knowledge that there are deeper connections to the universe and the self, and trying to get more in tune to that.
Meditation is perhaps the most famous way holistic care does this. It is the practice of clearing the mind, developing a connection with the moment, and being truly aware. Developing a meditation practice has been known to have incredibly beneficial effects on many different facets of life. Along with this, there is what is known as Reiki. This is the idea that there is life energy in the self, and through the laying of hands it can be channeled. The individual will administer this, and it has been known to soothe the mind and body.
Getting Treatment
Although we discussed three distinct categories here, it may be more helpful to understand holistic addiction rehab as a whole circle, treating the whole person. At the end of the day, if that sounds crazy to you, that is okay. Holistic addiction rehab is incredible, but may not be for everyone. What is for everyone is seeking treatment. Please reach out to us today by calling us at (833) 596-3502. We always want to answer any questions or address any issues you may have. Take your whole self back, and do not let addiction control you any longer. Seek treatment today.
