Millions of people seek help for addiction each year, but not all are successful. Relapse rates are high, and overdoses occur. However, research shows a holistic approach can increase the odds of long-term recovery.
Holistic addiction treatment considers all aspects of health, including mental, emotional, physical, and environmental factors. Specialists then determine the best therapy methods and lifestyle factors that support sobriety. This article will explain what holistic recovery involves.
What is Holistic Addiction Treatment?
Holistic addiction treatment focuses on various aspects of well-being as follows:
Physical
Physical health is a priority in holistic addiction treatment for the following reasons:
- Pain Management: Many people become addicted to opioids to manage pain. Holistic therapy aims to reduce pain naturally, addressing addiction at its root.
- Self-Confidence: People may turn to drugs because they don’t feel good about themselves. When you prioritize physical health, you tend to become more fit, boosting self-esteem and reducing the urge to self-medicate.
- Health-Awareness: Once a healthy lifestyle is ingrained, you become more aware of the effects of drugs on your body and are less likely to expose yourself to toxins.
- Healthy Activity: Exercise can replace drug use, as it reduces stress and boredom and takes your mind off negative thoughts.
Physical Therapies Used in Holistic Treatments
- Exercise: Working out supports both physical and mental health. While any exercise can be beneficial, yoga, tai chi, and Pilates are recommended as they can also improve emotional health.
- Nutrition: In addition to supporting fitness goals, certain foods can reduce addictive tendencies. For example, foods rich in tryptophan and tyrosine promote the production of serotonin and dopamine, which can lift mood. Lean proteins support the mind and body.
- Sleep is the glue that holds it all together. Its restorative functions help with processing emotions and reduce mood swings that can fuel addictive behavior. It also provides the energy you need to achieve your physical wellness goals.
Emotional
Mental issues are often an underlying cause of addiction. Many people self-medicate to reduce anxiety and depression associated with emotional disorders. An NIH review of self-medication behavior found that 50% or more of the reviewed studies reported a self-medication rate of 53.8% or higher.
Although self-medication may temporarily improve symptoms of emotional disorders, it tends to worsen them in the long run. It often causes financial and personal issues that increase stress. Drugs and alcohol also cause chemical changes in the brain that can exacerbate symptoms.
Holistic alternative therapies often target emotional issues that lead to addiction to break the cycle.
Emotional Therapies Used in Holistic Treatments
Most holistic therapies used in holistic treatments are evidence-based. Here are some examples.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Focuses on identifying and changing negative thought processes that might lead to unhealthy behavior.
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy: Teaches emotional regulation and distress tolerance.
- Motivational Enhancement Therapy: Motivates the individual to find things to live for beyond drug use.
- Contingency Management: A system that awards people for abstaining with vouchers, gift cards, and necessary items, substituting drugs and alcohol in stimulating the reward section of the brain.
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy: Focuses on accepting feelings rather than fighting them.
Spiritual
Spiritual health is connected to emotional health, but it is more about finding purpose and meaning in life, giving individuals a reason to stop using drugs. It also promotes balance and wellness within the body and provides the following benefits:
- Boosts Emotional Resilience: Practicing spirituality helps you find inner peace, giving you better control over your emotions.
- Forgiveness and Healing: Spiritualism promotes self-forgiveness and can help heal relationships.
- Rituals and Routines: Some spiritual people engage in rituals and routines that can reduce stress, bring structure to their days, and help them take their minds off cravings.
Spiritual Therapies Used in Holistic Treatments
Popular spiritual therapies used in holistic treatments include the following:
- Meditation reduces stress and anxiety, improves emotional regulation, and enhances self-awareness, decreasing addictive tendencies.
- Mindfulness practices make you more aware of yourself and your surroundings, promoting conscious rather than impulsive reactions. It also helps you understand triggers that lead to addictive behavior. You can increase mindfulness through meditation, deep breathing, and lifestyle changes.
- 12-Step Programs encourage you to focus on a higher power, providing a foundation for recovery.
- Yoga and Tai Chi: Both practices encourage a connection to a more profound sense of self and to the world, which can foster hope and meaning during recovery.
Social
Social connections mean a lot in recovery. Once people get out of recovery, they often reconnect with old friends who may pressure them into returning to negative behaviors, increasing the risk of relapse. Instead, they should seek supportive people who will encourage them to maintain sobriety.
The right social connections can also:
- Reduce isolation that leads to depression and related negative behaviors.
- Provides accountability so you stay on track.
- May provide practical assistance such as resources, information, and help with daily tasks.
Social Therapies Used in Holistic Treatments
Addiction experts typically encourage clients to connect with supportive social groups through the following therapies:
- Group Therapy allows people to connect with their peers and lets them know they are not alone. Individuals may even choose a sponsor to help them maintain sobriety.
- Family Therapy: Families play a huge role in rehab. While they are typically supportive, abusive and enabling relationships can feed addiction. Therapists help families understand their roles in recovery and ensure they display supportive behavior.
- Ongoing Treatment: Many rehab facilities offer continuing care, including alumni meetings to promote socialization among past clients.
Intellectual
The intellectual aspect is the final piece of the puzzle. People must develop their intellect by establishing boundaries, creating a plan beyond rehab, and building skills. It offers the following benefits.
- Enhances problem-solving skills so you can find solutions without resorting to substance abuse.
- Improves self-awareness so you understand triggers and avoid dangerous behavior.
- Supports goal setting and future-oriented thinking.
- Boosts communication skills so you can better express your needs and understand others.
- Promotes resource utilization so you can find educational materials and support groups that aid with recovery.
Intellectual Therapies Used in Holistic Treatments
The following therapies can support intellect building:
- Skills Building: Individuals will learn valuable skills to feel more fulfilled, earn a living, and stay motivated to maintain sobriety.
- Evidence-Based and Alternative Therapies: Evidence-based and alternative therapies help you learn more about yourself and others, so you can better navigate personal and professional matters.
Benefits of Holistic Therapy in Addiction Recovery
Holistic addiction treatment offers the following benefits:
- Increases the Chances of Recovery and Reduces Relapse Risks: Donna Jorgenson’s research, “A Holistic Approach to Substance Treatment and the Mind, Body, Spirit Connection,” reveals the benefits of addressing emotional, physical, and behavioral health to increase the chances of recovery and reduce relapse risks.
- Improved Quality of Life: People who undergo holistic recovery experience a higher quality of life through skills development, better relationships, and improved mental and physical health.
- Non-Medical Approach: Holistic therapies do not require medication, which can be addictive and produce side effects. The natural approach supports long-term sustainability.
BlueCrest Health Group Promotes Holistic Recovery
BlueCrest considers all aspects of care to ensure a holistic approach. We provide support from detox to outpatient programs, providing a full continuum of care. Our team empowers individuals to rebuild their lives with purpose.
Contact us to learn how we can help you on the road to recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are 7 holistic approaches?
Seven holistic approaches include physical, mental, social, emotional, intellectual, vocational, and environmental health. They are the interconnected aspects that support wellbeing.
What is the holistic wellness model?
The holistic wellness model is a multidimensional approach that views the body, mind, and spirit as interconnected. Instead of focusing on a single aspect of health, it is an evolving process of achieving one’s full potential by addressing various dimensions.
What are the 7 natural healing ways?
Seven natural ways of emotional discharge are said to promote healing. They include crying, laughing, sweating, vocalizing, kicking, and hitting. These activities should be carried out constructively so as not to harm others.