There was a time when most people thought that holistic medicine was ineffective in addiction treatment. Now, decades later, holistic medicine has increased in popularity. In fact, its presence in the field of substance abuse recovery is almost mainstream. Many addiction treatment centers today implement holistic methods as part of their recovery programs. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, more than one-third of adults in the United States have been using holistic medicine since 2004. Holistic recovery programs are a growing body of work that has been shown to have a positive effect on alcoholics and addicts alike.
What Do Holistic Recovery Programs Entail?
Generally, holistic treatments used in rehab engage the patient in physical, mental, and spiritual healing from addiction. These kinds of treatments are typically inspired by natural or even cultural healing practices. Herbal medicine is one such example. Still, it’s not enough to treat addiction on its own. As effective as holistic medicine is, almost every rehab center offers it as a supplement to other more traditional methods of addiction treatment, like detox and therapy. This is why some people refer to holistic recovery programs as ‘alternative’ or ‘complementary’ treatments.
What Makes Holistic Treatments Effective?
A Wide Variety of Personalized Treatment Options Are Available
Part of what sets holistic methods apart from other forms of addiction treatment is its degree of personalization. In holistic treatments, patients work with the staff to create and follow an individualized treatment plan— one that draws from a variety of therapeutic techniques based on the patient’s needs. Of course, the options available depend on what the treatment facility offers, but some of the more popular examples of holistic therapies include chiropractic, ecotherapy, wilderness therapy, meditation, and yoga.
Holistic Methods Treat the Person, Not the Addiction
Most rehab programs only target and treat the addiction itself. While this is indeed the main focus of any rehab, it is also just as important to address and treat other areas of a patient’s health as well. This is what holistic recovery programs aim to accomplish: to treat the whole person rather than just the addiction.
The factors that potentially contribute to a patient’s addiction would be treated in holistic medicine. These might include:
- the physical symptoms of withdrawal
- emotional imbalances or triggers that feed the addiction
- potential environmental factors, such as the patient’s social circle
- biological factors, such as genetic predisposition to addiction due to a family history of substance abuse
- any neurochemical imbalances that result from other bad habits, such as poor diet and little to no exercise
The most effective addiction treatments are the ones that successfully pinpoint and address the underlying reasons that led to the development of the addiction in the first place. Additionally, the best holistic programs in rehab are the ones that treat any sort of self-destructive behavior outside of the addiction. Research has proven that there are many benefits of yoga for men and women, as well as art and adventure therapy. The purpose of holistic medicine, after all, is to restore balance in the patient’s mental and physical health.
Traditional Therapies are Still a Foundation
As was previously mentioned, a major benefit of holistic recovery programs is the co-utilization of traditional techniques for addiction treatment. Most of the treatment centers that have holistic recovery programs offer them as suggestions to complement the more traditional therapies they use. Individual or group therapy, family counseling, life coaching, coping skills and relapse prevention training, and aftercare are all examples of programs that work well in conjunction with holistic methods. When used together in addiction treatment, both approaches can address all the personal needs of each individual patient.
Holistic Recovery Programs Available at Asheville
If you are suffering from an addiction, you have lots of different treatment options to choose from. The traditional and holistic recovery programs available at Ashville Recovery Center may be the treatment for you. If you have any questions about our holistic treatment, please call us at (828)518-6996. The staff at Asheville Recovery is here to support you. With a personalized treatment plan, we guarantee to prepare you for the sober life ahead of you.
