Overcoming an addiction is not easy to do on your own because if it were, rehabilitation centers would not exist. Sometimes you need more than the regular approach when handling addiction problems and one of the ways by which addiction can be treated is through holistic therapy.
No other treatment plan addresses the whole life of the patient, from the mind to the spirit, and physical well-being. Traditional methods of rehabilitation tend to overlook the emotional and mental state of a patient. This is something this treatment method does not ignore, and this is why it has been adopted by rehabilitation centers worldwide. This treatment aims to understand the link between a patient’s lifestyle and addiction.
In this article, we would address the different techniques used in holistic rehab for addiction. As we do this, you will get to learn how this therapy method can be effective in giving you a new life.
Techniques Used in Holistic Therapy
As we said earlier, it is important to note that this method does not use medications to achieve results. The client goes through a series of programs designed to heal the mind and body. Below we are going to look into these techniques:
Nutrition Recovery
The first step to taking care of the mind is by taking care of the body and this can be done by closely monitoring what you eat and do not eat. There is a clear link between eating healthy and a having happy outlook on life. When the body is happy the mind is happy.
Nutrition recovery seeks to correct poor dieting and eating habits that could be affecting the quality of life. It could be:
- Excessive use of substances that inhibit or increase the appetite of the patient.
- Deficiency in the patient’s vitamin and mineral levels due to substance abuse.
- Malnutrition problems when a patient prioritizes funding their addiction to eating.
The reason nutrition recovery is so important in holistic therapy is that a lot of addiction patients suffer from malnutrition and low body weight. Apart from this, their bodies have “adapted” to taking harmful substances regularly. This technique seeks to detoxify the body and rid it of all impurities.
Visit https://www.youtube.com/ for ideas on some healthy dinner variations you can try. Of course, you are not left to go through this on your own, professionals are expected to guide you in choosing the perfect meal plan.
Massage and Acupuncture
Addiction problems often stem from mental and physical stress, and a need to escape your reality. A relaxed body and mind are not plagued by these thoughts. Therefore, massage and acupuncture are included in the holistic treatment method as they are especially useful for relieving tension in the body.
The basic principle behind acupuncture is that it can restore the flow of energy of Qi or life energy in the body. Acupuncture is a Chinese practice dating hundreds of years back and its continuous use today shows its effectiveness. It is believed that disruptions in the flow of Qi can cause stress and pain in the body. By applying needles to certain body parts, we can restore the flow of this energy.
There is no need to get scared at the mention of needles as this process is quite painless and the needles are not inserted deep into the skin. Safety is key for rehab centers that practice this technique, so, needles are sterilized and only specialists perform an acupuncture session.
This technique can also be paired with massage therapy to target pain in certain muscles. It is easy to see the true aim of the holistic approach with each technique, ensuring the client is relaxed enough to begin unlearning harmful habits.
Meditation and Yoga
Getting in touch with your inner self is an integral process in finding balance in life. Yoga and meditation encourage people to do this while concentrating on the present. During meditation, you are encouraged to understand that it is totally natural to have the cravings you experience. Patients are encouraged to confront these desires, understand why such thoughts slip into the mind, and learn how to ignore them.
Yoga is also very instrumental in this process because users must hold various positions for a certain period. While these positions are being held, the patient is supposed to focus on their breathing and pair it with meditation. Click here to learn more about the benefits of yoga.
Biofeedback and Neurofeedback
This technique uses information gotten from you. By taking data from the patient’s body, an optimal treatment plan is mapped out. For a neural therapy session to hold, electrodes are placed on the patient’s scalp. No need for concern, a procedure as delicate as this is done by professionals.
A computer is used to read the signals provided by the electrodes and then it is just a matter of waiting for the patient’s brain to be at the right frequency. Once this is achieved, a signal is sent to the electrodes to assist the brain to maintain the thoughts that put it in that frequency range.
The aim of this is to help people shift their focus from the urge to relapse. It helps patients focus on the present and stay grounded.
Other techniques you might encounter include:
- Tai Chi
- Art therapy
- Psychotherapy
- Sound therapy
- Ayurveda
- Hypnosis
- Animal-assisted therapy
Final Thoughts
After reading this article, you should have a better understanding of the techniques you might encounter during a holistic therapy session. The best part is, if you already have a traditional addiction rehabilitation program running you can still make use of the holistic method, this is because it is a medication-free technique.
When the entire welfare of a person is considered, the treatment plan is given a higher success rate. In situations like this, it is always advised that you perform proper research about any institution you wish to use, Consider the type of insurance accepted, reviews from past clients, and the techniques they practice.
