Holistic Approach to Addiction Recovery

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a man practicing holistic approach

The body has interdependent parts that affect each other. Because of that, physical pain can trigger mental distress, and emotional stress can lead to anxiety and insomnia. These are all common issues that people face when they have an addiction. Taking a holistic approach to recovery addresses every aspect of their health to help them overcome the disease.

What Is the Holistic Approach?

Holistic care revolves around the belief that people with an addiction need more than treatment for dependence. Traditional methods by themselves aren’t enough to help overcome addiction. Holistic therapies address the mind, body, and spirit to improve overall well-being. This approach incorporates alternative healing elements into a 12-step recovery program.

Types of Holistic Treatments

Traditional addiction treatment methods focus on 12-step meetings, talk therapies, and other support services. Taking a holistic approach integrates healing strategies that complement these services and address underlying issues. Below is a look at several of these holistic methods.

Nutritional Guidance

Whether people have an addiction or not, diet is critical. Eating healthy food and staying hydrated invigorates the body and mind to accelerate recovery. Nutrition therapy teaches how to maintain a healthy diet to maintain sobriety.

Acupuncture and Massage Therapy

Acupuncture is a practice that involves precisely inserting needles into body points. It can treat pain and various health conditions by stimulating the natural healing process. During addiction treatment, acupuncture therapy can reduce anxiety, drug cravings, and other withdrawal symptoms. It can restore balance in the body after prolonged drug abuse too.

Massage is a practice that uses physical touch to relax the body and relieve stress. Combining acupuncture and massage therapy can help people recover and prepare for sobriety.

Meditation and Yoga Therapy

Meditation is a technique that uses mindfulness practice to relax the mind and body. It can reduce pain, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Also, it makes people feel at ease and improves concentration.

Yoga is another mindfulness practice that uses breathing exercises, postures, and meditation. These techniques relieve anxiety and stress and can suppress negative thoughts to improve mental and spiritual well-being. As a result, people are less likely to act on substance cravings and urges.

Physical Fitness

Exercising on a daily basis can strengthen the body, relieve stress, increase self-confidence and improve mood. It can also build a structure in people’s lives to help them stay sober. Some examples include hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing, running and playing sports.

Art and Music Therapy

Art therapy is a holistic approach that involves artistic expression. It can include all forms, including drawing, painting, and sculpting. The illustrations give therapists insight into people’s problems so that they can help them overcome addiction. Creating art can reduce stress, denial, and shame while motivating change and participation in treatment.

Music therapy is similar but can include ad-libbing music, analyzing lyrics, playing musical games and writing songs. It allows people to engage in emotions that they don’t otherwise know how to express. Music therapy can also break down barriers and spark motivation to participate in treatment.

Writing Therapy

Writing involves people sharing their innermost thoughts and feelings on paper. It can help them understand or gain insight into the events that affected their drug abuse. In time, writing can help them accept their emotions about life events so that they can move on.

In particular, expressive writing as a holistic approach improves people’s physical and mental health treatment. They can gain a new perspective on their problems and find solutions. The result is better sleep, a clearer mind, and less stress.

Full Spectrum of Care at Kemah Palms Recovery®

When you seek addiction treatment, the facility that you choose must provide the level of care that you need. In addition to holistic care, Kemah Palms Recovery® offers medical detox program and rehab. Some of our programs include:

Kemah Palms Recovery® also has a heavy focus on chronic pain treatment. Our chronic pain recovery program starts with medical detox and continues into rehab. We even include family therapy, extended monitoring, and aftercare.

Don’t let chronic pain or any substance keep you from having a healthy life. Visit Kemah Palms Recovery® to get the comprehensive, whole person, care you need. Call 855-568-0218 to learn more about our holistic approach to recovery.