As in any other medical field, there are various methods and philosophies regarding substance abuse treatment. In comparison, experts in the many treatment forms may argue that the benefit for those seeking treatment is that they have options. If traditional medicine does not seem right for you, then holistic rehabilitation may be a better option. But, as you may be wondering, what is holistic rehab? In brief, holistic addiction treatment is an opportunity for those who feel they do not fit the conventional substance abuse treatment model to find some help.  Â
For help, today, give us a call at 706-480-8733 to speak with an addiction specialist. They can discuss treatment options with you and ultimately find you the support you need, including holistic treatment if desired. All it takes is one call.Â
Content
Continue reading below to gain a basic understanding of holistic rehab. Figure out if this is the right treatment option for you, and find out ways to discover more treatment options available to you.Â
Holistic Rehab 101
Holistic addiction treatment and holistic addiction treatment programs derive from holism. It is the belief that all parts of a thing, person, or concept are interrelated. When it comes to substance abuse treatment, this approach focuses on all aspects of a person: their emotional, physical, and social well-being.
Those who practice holistic medicine believe that you are not treating the person if you do not treat all three aspects. For example, one’s physical conditions can be tied to or even caused by their emotional or mental state. Even in solving physical pain, personal issues can persist. As a holistic doctor might claim, the person has not been fully treated because the emotional root still exists and can lead to the physical problem returning.    Â
In most traditional substance abuse treatment, the focus is mostly on the body. This is why detox is so vital in conventional treatment centers. Also, while this approach often involves therapy as well, the holistic approach takes medicine much further. To heal the whole person emotionally, physically, and socially, this treatment seeks to encourage growth through self-exploration and expression. The patient learns to cope with their struggles and how they relate to the addiction.
Addiction affects everyone differently, and in holistic treatment, a patient can discover how their addiction came about, why it persists, and how it can be ended. Thus, a holistic rehab center aims to understand their addiction, cope with it, and ultimately create a healthy, sober lifestyle in the future.    Â
Holistic Methods and Treatments
The methods used by holistic treatment centers can vary. Treatment can proceed in a variety of ways. For instance, the practices in this medicine include:
- Yoga
- Art therapy
- Spiritual or religious interventions
- Acupuncture
- Dance
In one way or another, each of these is a form of what holistic practitioners refer to as expressive therapy. Generally, this type of treatment seeks to encourage healthy visual and nonverbal communication, self-expression, and emotional regulation. Again, this is done to help a person create healthy habits for his or her life going forward. Â
Art TherapyÂ
One of the most prominent and popular approaches in any holistic addiction treatment program is art therapy. This treatment involves deliberately making art to address psychological and emotional needs and increase one’s self-awareness. Through art-making, one can find self-expression, coping skills, stress management, and overall strengthening of their sense of self and identity. Practitioners believe this is because art demands visualization. By visualizing your thoughts and feelings, you begin to recognize and understand them; therefore, you can find how to adapt or overcome them, if necessary.        Â
Dance and Movement Therapy Â
Another common form of expressive therapy is dance and movement therapy. Much like art therapy, it connects the emotional and physical. According to the American Dance Association, dance therapy serves as “the psychotherapeutic use of movement to further the emotional, cognitive, and physical integration of the individual.â€Â  In this way, dance and movement therapy help identify and express thoughts and feelings through action. This creates a positive change as this process promotes synchronizing mind and body, self-expression, a boost in self-esteem, and stress management. Additionally, dancing is a lively activity, which enables good physical health.Â
If you require more information about holistic treatment options, then call us today. Our specialists will work with you to see if this is the right treatment path for you, or not. Do not wait to call. Let us help you start living your happiest and healthiest life today.Â
Why Take a Holistic Approach?
Whether or not one has participated in standard substance abuse treatment before, everyone should consider a holistic approach. According to the Nordic School of Holistic Medicine and Quality of Life Research Center, the holistic approach is beneficial because
The holistic therapist supports the patient in rediscovering himself, his constructive and affirmative soul perspective… When your entire life has to be rebuilt from scratch, and your entire existence needs to be rehabilitated, this often requires a combination of long-term training in life philosophy, psychotherapy, and body therapy.
This approach, unlike some traditional treatment programs, is specifically tailored to the individual. Holistic treatment analyzes a person to understand every underlying problem that has caused or been part of an addiction. Then it helps them rebuild their life with a healthy perspective, habits, and coping mechanisms. Â
Through exploring and discovering one’s deep-seated thoughts and feelings, this approach to substance abuse treatment defeats several concepts that contribute to an addictive behavior:Â
- The Inferiority Feeling – any feelings of inferiority, incompleteness, or unfulfillment. These can not only ruin but rule one’s mentality, making life harder to live.Â
- The Desire for Significance – cravings often come from the superiority complex. This longing for power occurs explicitly in response to the inferiority complex.Â
- Isolation – loneliness, isolation, and a desire to be part of a community can incite addictive behavior and be dealt with to make progress.   Â
To address these feelings, which often trigger addictive behavior, holistic therapists use expressive therapy to create lifestyle changes. They do this by encouraging creative power, social interest, and setting personal goals. These changes amount to a person reframing their existence, which ultimately allows them to take control of it.
The Effectiveness of Holistic Rehab
For years, clinical research has focused on substance abuse treatment programs, trying to determine what works best and what does not. For those addicted to alcohol, the Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) program has effectively managed and overcame alcoholism; however, the program has some flaws. While most beneficial, it does not tailor to individual needs as many holistic programs do. Some individuals find that a tailored plan is more valuable and assists lasting sobriety.Â
Many recent surveys show that holistic treatment programs have produced high success rates and are growing due to their success. However, traditional and holistic programs are not mutually exclusive. They can be combined.
Much like art therapy, dance, and movement therapy have worked wonders with some patients. A study on holistic substance abuse treatment found that dance therapy allowed for total destressing of the body. Through movement, you can let go of tension and find the connection between mind and body. Patients who participated in dance therapy cited a newfound ability to not only manage but reduce stress through dance and movement.Â
In creating a new way to destress, individuals who participate in dance therapy have found a healthy way of coping with unpleasant mental and emotional states and a unique and effective method for resisting triggers. This active coping method is particularly useful because it creates and helps sustain a lifelong habit with benefits well beyond maintaining one’s sobriety.  Â
Holistic Therapy is Available
What is holistic rehab? This type of recovery is a way to approach substance abuse differently. It is taking the need for individual expression into account in a treatment program. Also, a form of treating all parts of a person concurrently. Addiction affects more than just the body, after all. It takes a toll on one’s mind, emotional well-being, and even social and relational skills. This therapy seeks to remedy all of this. Those who use it believe it is impossible to treat someone without doing so truly. Through expressive therapy like art and dance, these therapists give individuals the tools for self-expression and help them create healthy habits to maintain sobriety for life. Â
If standard substance abuse treatment has not worked for you, or if you want to try something new, holistic substance abuse treatment might be the way to go. While overcoming an addiction has the potential to be one of the most challenging things anyone can do, it is possible. Take the first step toward a sober life by calling us today. Our addiction specialists can help guide you to any number of treatment options, including holistic rehabilitation centers that would be happy to help you toward recovery. Remember, you can overcome it.Â
Written by Richard Morris Â
To speak with someone about your situation and get a free consultation, call Addiction Care Treatment Program at 706-480-8733 today!
Addiction Care Treatment Program – Call 706-480-8733 to Find Help Immediately!
Resources
- https://reportedtimes.com/major-differences-of-holistic-rehab-center-traditional-drug-rehab-center/ Â
- https://search.proquest.com/openview/ea779a599d726fb1b1da6bfd2156e83b/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y Â
- https://www.researchgate.net/profile/A_Christson_Adedoyin/publication/271622364_Revisiting_Holistic_Interventions_in_Substance_Abuse_Treatment/links/58812a1aa6fdcc6b790dd6c9/Revisiting-Holistic-Interventions-in-Substance-Abuse-Treatment.pdf Â
- http://downloads.hindawi.com/journals/tswj/2005/871764.pdf Â
