Holistic Addiction Treatment Offers a Different Approach
For many decades, the twelve-step protocol was the primary approach to treating substance abuse of all sorts. It has had a long history of success, but in recent years a new type of treatment has shown strong growth. Holistic addiction treatment, like other types of holistic health practices, is based on the belief that treating only one aspect of a person's health is incomplete and counterproductive. In holistic addiction treatment, factors such as nutrition, body work and relaxation techniques are added to more mainstream factors in order to treat the person as a whole, rather than just treating the addiction.
Approaches to Holistic Addiction Treatment
Individual therapy, along with group and family therapy, is still the primary focus of the holistic approach to substance abuse. To this base, however, are added other modes of treatment that have been shown to be highly effective.
Fitness activities, such as tai-chi, yoga, weightlifting and even karate help bring the body back to health. Training in meditation techniques helps the addict learn to deal with stress, often a major factor in substance abuse, and can lead to a deeper sense of spirituality, which can be a source of strength. Self-hypnosis is also an effective stress reliever, and can help the client gain a new belief in him- or herself as a person free of addictions. Nutritional therapy aids in rebuilding the body damaged by drugs or alcohol; a healthy body is a stepping stone to sobriety.
More technical approaches such as biofeedback and acupuncture are also found in holistic treatment centers. While these are useful techniques for all addictions, they may be especially appropriate for those who have become addicted to prescription drugs for the relief of pain.