Alternative Treatment

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance explains that mood disorders are highly treatable – but until a person recognizes their symptoms and seeks help, they may find that their life becomes more and more unmanageable. Symptoms of prolonged sadness, changes in sleeping and eating patterns, irritability, anger, pessimism, loss of energy, inability to concentrate and so much more can already have a significant impact on a person’s daily life – but how can a person manage these symptoms while also recovering from an addiction? A major component of this is being treated for both a mood disorder and a substance use disorder (SUD) at the same time. Mood disorders such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder (BPD) and others require specialized attention, but focusing only on a mood disorder over an SUD can make symptoms of the other condition worse. At Avalon Malibu, we treat both at the same time – and by taking a holistic approach to wellness, we’ll explore with you everything that can be done in treatment to optimize your mental, physical and spiritual health. The management of a co-occurring disorder typically involves a number of different aspects of treatment:

Sometimes we feel more than what we let out into the world, and writing therapy gives us an opportunity to explore it through pen and paper. Even on a more personal level, writing can help alleviate a lot of stress – a 2016 study published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior found that even writing expressively through Facebook and using various social networking activities online can help alleviate symptoms of depression. Those in addiction recovery may find that writing therapy can open many gates to thoughts and emotions they’ve suppressed over the years, but what happens when that gate just doesn’t seem to open? Let’s take a look at some of the most common problems experienced with writing therapy:

Holistic treatment modalities have shown time and time again to be effective alongside more traditional addiction recovery practices like therapy and medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Yoga, meditation, chiropractic services and acupuncture are all forms of holistic treatment because they’re non-invasive – and that very reason alone is a huge source of comfort for those who worry about pain or discomfort. Acupuncture is a recognized practice in the Eastern world, but has made it’s way out West over the past decade as researchers have discovered it’s practical implications along with it’s more healing, therapeutic outcomes for those in addiction recovery and beyond. Margarita Alcantara, a woman who has struggled with addiction, explained her experience with acupuncture via Mind Body Green. She stated, “Not only does [acupuncture] reduce the cravings, anxiety, sleep disturbance, and need for pharmaceuticals, but it helps create a more optomistic and synergistic attitude towards the process of recovery, and has been reported to improve program retention.” Dr. Andrew Weil, an internationally recognized expert on medicinal plants and alternative medicine, explains that acupuncture can benefit those with anxiety, depression, nausea, vomiting, irritable bowel syndrome, migraines and even degenerative diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. There are many benefits of having acupuncture done, especially for those in recovery from addiction:

Whether you’re struggling with chronic pain or you just have a lot of stress and anxiety as you navigate this journey to recovery, massage therapy can be extremely beneficial for you – in more ways than one. The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) states that addiction causes harm to the body, mind and spirit – and the ramifications mean that a lot of different types of therapy should be involved. Maureen Schwehr, a naturopathic physician in Arizona, explained, “The spirit is who we really are. Our mind is our thinking brain, and our body houses this. If you’re [a person who is actively in addiction] you often have to ignore your body, because you are, in essence, hurting your ‘house’.” The body loses vital nutrients when active addiction is involved, and after detoxification occurs, individuals may experience more aches and pains than they’re used to. No matter what the drug of choice is – it all has significant impact on brain and body functioning, which will take some time to heal. If you’re ready to dive into some holistic practices – such as massage therapy – consider the following 6 types that could provide you with many benefits:

We all experience pain, sadness, guilt, resentment and other challenging feelings, and sometimes we push down those thoughts with substances because of the promise to relieve some of the discomfort. We’re scared to feel what’s been affecting us so deeply, so we mask the pain with drinking or using drugs – and the longer we go without expressing our thoughts and feelings, the harder it is to tap into that throughout our lives. Addiction recovery gives us an opportunity to open old wounds, to explore past and present thoughts and to feel them for what they really are: genuine human emotion. Each person coming into addiction recovery is different, which means there needs to be various treatment methods to address a variety of needs. Expressive therapies – such as writing therapy – can help people approach thoughts and feelings in a way like nothing else can. The American Psychological Association (APA) notes that writing can help us better handle stress, better connect with others, give us new perspective on our experiences and more, but it has to be done right. At Avalon Malibu, writing therapy takes place with a therapist who assigns themes and topics for those in recovery to focus on each session. From there, individuals need to keep the following tips in mind:

Holistic approaches to addiction recovery have become used more than ever in addiction recovery because researchers have found just how powerful these practices can be in restoring the mind, body and spirit. Addiction takes us away from the present moment and leaves us with depletions of time, love, energy and so much more – while holistic treatments aim to give us back some of what we lost while addiction was active. Holistic treatment is often considered “alternative treatments”, and the best part of these methods is that they can be combined with more traditional methods of treatment – such as alongside therapy and medication.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs when someone has witnessed a traumatic event – and the symptoms can be debilitating. Many people with PTSD experience nightmares, flashbacks, paranoia, anxiety, depression and more, with many people who also abuse substances in an attempt to get through the day. Much tension is held throughout the body in those with PTSD because of being easily-startled, stressed, angered, or due to having difficulties sleeping. If this is something you’ve been struggling with, addiction recovery is a great place to begin working through the physical, mental and emotional symptoms that have held you back in making the most of your life. Holistic practices treat the mind, body and spirit in a way that is restorative – and massage therapy could be an excellent route to take if your doctor recommends it. It is estimated that 70% of adults in the U.S. have experienced some form of trauma at least once in their lives, and with a wide range of symptoms and severities, it’s hard to tell how a person will experience PTSD without treatment. A 2017 study published in the by a researcher from George Fox University assessed the decision-making and critical thinking abilities of firefighters – a group of professionals who have been exposed to trauma often – after receiving massage therapy. They found that massage therapy significantly improved both of these factors, enabling the firefighters to think more clearly and efficiently. Massage therapy reduces cortisol (a stress response) and increases serotonin (which regulates mood, sleep, appetite, etc.) and dopamine (the “feel good” chemical). With this, people in addiction recovery can feel less anxious and less in danger, as massage therapy can provoke feelings of security. For someone who struggles with both addiction and PTSD, massage therapy could be just one of many components of holistic treatment that could help aid in uncomfortable symptoms. Now is the time to take a firm hold on your self-care; it’s time to get your life back.

According to a study published by the National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH), around 25.3 million Americans experience some form of pain each and every day.  This pain can range from brief to long-lasting, and once it’s started, it’s hard to manage. Prescription medications can sometimes resolve this issue, but it’s easy to become hooked on them if you aren’t careful. Some misuse their prescription drugs, while others end up taking drugs from friends or family members that aren’t even theirs in an effort to reach a level of comfort, they so desperately desire. The work that we do every day can have a big impact on the pain that we experience, and this is where ergonomics steps into play. In addiction recovery, it’s important to focus on the activities we pursue in our daily lives so that we can get a better idea of how to control our environment in the best way possible for our health. Ergonomics, defined by the American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA) as “what kind of work you do, what kind of tools you use and your whole job environment”, can help us take a look at your daily activities to assess what changes will most benefit the level of pain you experience. Addiction recovery shouldn’t be solely about treating the addiction – this disease affects the mind, body and spirit, and so should be treated as such. Ergonomics helps us look at a wide range of movements that you perform on a daily basis to dig into the root cause of your pain. Movements such as bending, walking, lifting, sitting, getting out of bed, climbing stairs, getting out of a chair, exerting personal care, taking part in leisure activities and more are all rely on movement – and by honing in on some safe ways to go about these tasks, we’re less likely to have as many issues with pain as we did before.   Don’t wait any longer to start working towards your holistic health. Speak with a professional from Avalon Malibu about incorporating occupational therapy into your addiction recovery program today.

Thomas Merton, a monk, writer, theologian, mystic, poet, social activist and scholar once stated, “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” For centuries, people have used art as a way of communicating thoughts, ideas, and feelings. From the time we created stone carvings to now, we’ve found that artwork is a beautiful way to explore different modes of expression. Even today, one of the biggest struggles we face is communicating our emotions. We were either raised to hold our pain deep inside, or we drowned out that pain with substances or another form of addiction. Art can help us get back to that place of vulnerability – to that place of authenticity, where we can discover more of who we are and make more sense of our life experiences. Those in addiction recovery have much to gain from art therapy. In 2015, a study published in the International Journal for Research, Policy and Practice assessed 59 individuals for their mental health and addiction recovery after participating in weekly outreach sessions related to art and craft activities. Researchers found that participants improved on all areas that were assessed: Learning and Skills – art therapy truly ignites almost all of our senses. We’re touching different materials, we’re moving, and we’re learning new skills to achieve our desired outcome. Levels of confidence – when an art project is completed, those in addiction recovery often feel proud of themselves. It’s a creation that shows just how talented they are – and it’s a beautiful reminder that they have something wonderful to offer this world. Sociability – with art projects, those in recovery are able to connect with their peers as they work together on making something meaningful. Simply assessing pieces of art can inspire those in recovery to talk to one another – which could be the start of an incredible support network. A 2015 thesis titled “Colorful Recovery: Art Therapy for Substance Abuse and Addiction Treatment” highlights that art can build a sense of spiritual connection as well as reducing shame, anxiety and other painful feelings that may linger throughout treatment.

If you were to be told, right now, that you’re about to enter an acupuncture session, what would you envision? For many Americans, acupuncture seems like a terrifyingly painful experience. A popular practice in the Eastern world, the Western world is still learning to become more open to holistic modalities such as acupuncture. Countries such as China have used acupuncture for preventative health measures for thousands of years - with the main difference between Eastern and Western practices being the approach. Western practices consider medicine to be used as a cure or relief to maladies, while Easter tradition utilizes medicine as a means to practice wellbeing.

For decades, psychologists, researchers, and community leaders alike have worked diligently to identify unique modalities for treating addiction, mental health disorders, pain management and more. The psychological issues we face walking into addiction recovery isn’t an isolated event – for many, trauma and mental illness co-occur alongside addiction, but without the right tools, there’s little room for improvement. Addiction recovery is about treating the whole self, and since we all have different ways of learning and responding, creative approaches fill that gap of subjectivity. If you’re looking for a creative way to express yourself, learn from others and develop healthy coping mechanisms, psychodrama could be an excellent addition to your treatment regime.

With so much that goes on in life, it’s easy to feel entrenched in this never-ending cycle of stress and anxiety. We find ourselves running down a path, reaching towards happiness, but sometimes it’s nowhere in sight. Something unexpected occurs, as life always brings this, and an overwhelming feeling encapsulates every ounce of energy that lives within us. If this is currently where you find yourself, you likely feel as though you can’t escape the madness. It may feel like everything is spinning, but there is a way to find balance in this chaos. It all starts by taking a deep breath. Meditation has been around for over 5,000 years and has provided people with a sense of peace and calmness despite whatever was going on in their mind or in their external world. Americans have picked up on this transformative practice over the years, as there are now 18 million adults in the U.S. alone that benefit from this healing approach, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine. Forbes Magazine highlights the many benefits of meditation, including: its ability to help preserve the aging of the brain, its reduction of activity in rumination and “me” thinking, its ability to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, its ability to shift our perceptions, and more. If you’re ready to find healing and enlightenment through this restorative journey, take into consideration the following meditation techniques: