If you do some research on addiction recovery treatment options, you’ll likely come across two main categories: traditional treatment and holistic treatment. Traditional treatment options tend to fall along the lines of medication, psychotherapy (also known as “talk therapy”) and similar options. Previous research has shown that these methods are incredibly effective – but as with any treatment approach, there are some gaps that another route, such as holistic treatment, can fill.
Defining Holistic Treatment
The American Holistic Health Association (AHHA) defines holistic health as: “…Rather than focusing on illness or specific parts of the body, this ancient approach to health considers the whole person and how he or she interacts with his or her environment. It emphasizes the connection of mind, body, and spirit.”
Holistic treatment options do just that – they consider a person’s mental, physical and spiritual well-being and what can be done to improve all of these aspects of a person’s life. The idea of holistic health is that if one aspect of a person’s life is “out of whack”, the other areas of a person’s life will be, too. In addiction recovery, holistic treatment is necessary for optimal healing and rejuvenation because of the many ways that addiction can disrupt the aspects of a person’s wellbeing; for example:
- Addiction can take a person away from deep connections with others
- Substance abuse can make it hard for a person to see their own purpose in life
- It can cause a person to lose sight of their physical health, especially by eating unhealthy foods, losing sleep, not consuming enough water and avoiding proper exercise
- A person may, over time, lose meaningful hobbies that built their spirit
- And so much more
Last year, U.S. News highlighted the fact that holistic treatment options can go wonderfully well alongside more traditional treatment methods. If a person is willing to consider engaging in both of these side-by-side throughout their treatment program, they may find that so many benefits await them.
Types of Holistic Treatment
There are many different approaches that can be taken in a personalized addiction recovery treatment program, depending on a person’s interests and needs. The following are some incredibly powerful holistic approaches that can become incorporated:
Yoga – this is an ancient Indian practice that involves deep breathing with various postures and stretching designed to help alleviate stress, promote mindfulness, and promote healing on a physical, emotional and spiritual level.
Meditation – there are so many types of meditation that can be embarked on, depending on a person’s level and experience with this ancient practice. Meditation focuses primarily on breathing and being still in the present moment while allowing all thoughts and feelings to come and go as they naturally would.
Art therapy – it’s been around since the 1950s and has been directly connected to helping those in addiction recovery reduce denial, experience a safe space for exploration, decrease stigma-related shame, facilitate group discussions and more.
Massage therapy – a much more popular and well-known part of holistic treatment, there are several types of massages that can truly benefit a person’s recovery: Thai massage, sports massage, and Swedish massage are but a few examples.
Embracing What Works
The reality is that there is still much fear and stigma behind holistic treatment practices, despite there being proven research behind it. Meditation and yoga, for example, are incredibly popular activities used throughout the United States even today – and the more widely used these types of treatments become, the greater benefits that can come from more people engaging with them.
Harvard Health notes that even situations such as with the opioid epidemic, holistic treatment can help reduce pain as compared to taking medications that could potentially lead to a replacement addiction. Not only has yoga and meditation have been proven to help those in these discomforting circumstances – even as their body recovers initially from detoxification – practices such as acupuncture, biofeedback and more can truly make a difference.
As Deepak Chopra once stated, “No matter how much it gets abused, the body can restore balance. The first rule is to stop interfering with nature.”
If we can become more open to trying different practices along with the more traditional ones, we may open up our world to enhanced healing and restoration. If you’re ready to work alongside a team of individuals who truly care about your health and wellness, speak with a professional from Avalon Malibu today.
Avalon Malibu is a world-renowned, California state-licensed mental health and substance abuse recovery center. If you are ready to seek treatment to develop the tools you need to overcome life’s obstacles and be on the road towards happiness, health, and well-being, call us today at 844-857-5992 for a consultation. It’s never too late, and there are people here ready to help you – it’s never too late to begin taking steps towards a happier, healthier life.
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