When you are dealing with addiction, one type of treatment often isn’t enough. You may need several types of treatment, including traditional and holistic methods.

Holistic addiction treatment involves using alternative methods such as yoga, acupuncture, meditation, and art and animal therapy. But is it effective? This article will look at the holistic approach to addiction so you can determine if it’s right for you. 

 

What is Holistic Addiction Treatment?

The term holistic refers to a type of treatment that addresses the entire person. It considers their physical, mental, and spiritual health. It can be used in all types of healthcare and is often integrated with rehab.

There are several types of holistic addiction treatments that can be used, including:

  • Yoga: Yoga improves mental and physical health. It relieves stress that can be an underlying cause of addiction. 
  • Acupuncture: Acupuncture has been shown to increase the body’s endorphin level, improving mental health and reducing withdrawal symptoms. It also restores balance in the body and aids with detoxification. 
  • Meditation: Meditation improves focus and reduces stress. 
  • Massage therapy: Massage therapy is good for mental health and can aid with detoxification. 
  • Art therapy: Art improves feelings of accomplishment, minimizes stress, and works as an outlet for emotions. 
  • Animal therapy: Caring for and working with animals increases self-confidence. The animals can also work on an emotional level providing feelings of empathy.

 

Is Holistic Addiction Treatment Effective? 

Holistic addiction recovery has been shown to be effective. It boosts mental health and minimizes disorders that are often an underlying cause of addiction. Some types of holistic substance abuse treatment doubles as a hobby giving a person something to do so they are less likely to use. 

Here are some statistics regarding various holistic addiction treatment methods. 

  • Yoga: Harvard Medical School found that yoga regulates the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol, reducing stress levels and making people less likely to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol. 
  • Meditation: Meditation has been shown to increase impulse control reducing the risk of relapse. It also improves brain health-boosting memory and empathy and provides better stress regulation. 
  • Art Therapy: Art therapy, like dancing, painting, and playing music, has been shown to motivate positive changes in behavior, improve connections with others, reduce shame related to stigmas, provide a healthy outlet of communication and reduce opposition to treatment. 
  • Massage Therapy: Massage therapy improves mood, reduces stress, promotes relaxation, decreases pain, and improves sleep patterns. 
  • Equine Therapy: Horse-guided interactions improves perspective, helping clients connect with their feelings. Horses have a strong sense of empathy that help people better understand their emotions.

 

Who Can Holistic Treatment Help?

Practically anyone can benefit from holistic treatment. The nice thing about it is that it has no unwanted side effects, so you can use it as a treatment strategy regardless of any medical conditions and medications you may be taking.

Another benefit is that many holistic addiction recovery practices can easily be done at home. Meditation, art therapy, and yoga are all great examples. With a bit of guidance, you can begin integrating them regularly into your everyday life. They are convenient, low cost, and completely accessible.

 

How to Find Holistic Addiction Treatment Programs Near Me? 

Holistic treatment can be an effective approach on its own, or as a part of a larger treatment plan when combined with traditional therapy. Refine Recovery is a luxury rehab in Beverly Hills that offers inpatient treatment with holistic approaches. Contact us to find inpatient treatment in Southern California and get on the path to recovery today.

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