This is the second of two articles in a series on holistic drug addiction treatment. The first provided the first 6 alternative methods that are being used more and more often in substance abuse treatment. The following continues that list with the remaining 10 alternative methods to consider in recovery.
Exercise
can be an essential ingredient on the path to drug addiction treatment. Physical activity can release endorphins, which alone help to boost positive feelings.
Exercise can also help with the health of the brain, including making new neural connections, which alone can facilitate enduring change. Furthermore, to experience these benefits from exercise, you don’t have to run three miles a day; simply taking a walk regularly can boost mental health.
Guided Imagery
A treatment technique that uses imagination and focus to direct attention on the nervous system, particularly the part of the body that might hold the answer to one’s issue. It can be used on those who have both psychological and physical illnesses, such as addiction.
Herbal Therapy
A form of treatment that uses herbs, which are natural botanical substances that affect the body. Many herbs have long been used in detoxification. For instance, the herb Kadzu has the potential for moderating alcohol abuse. Milk thistle can improve liver function, and Kava and Valerian can be used to treat insomnia, which often accompanies withdrawal.
Homeopathy
A non-toxic use of highly diluted remedies that are used to treat illnesses. They are considered to stimulate a person’s bodily system in a way that allows them to deal with stress and illness more efficiently. They can be useful during an individual’s road to sober living and during their withdrawal periods.
Hypnosis
A state of deep attention, which is induced by a therapist. The mind is highly receptive to suggestion and therefore can be used to help a person reach their goal for living sober.
Ideal Model Imagery
A treatment modality in which the clinician asks a client to imagine what it would be like in an ideal situation. For example, an intervention might be, “Imagine what your life would be like if you were not struggling with addiction?” or “Imagine what circumstances and situations you would find yourself in if you were not early in your recovery.”
Journaling
A healing practice for those striving for sober living. By sitting in a designated place each week or each day write down your experiences, writing can become a healing practice. Really, it’s not the writing that is healing; instead, it is the relationship that you build with yourself as a result of having a writing practice. As you, another part of you is listening and offering compassion.
Meditation
A very calming practice that can also produce healing experiences. Although meditation might be difficult at first, the challenge at the beginning is worth the rewards. By sharpening one’s focus, the heart can open and healing can take place.
Pet Therapy
A new and growing field called Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT). It is a goal-directed intervention therapy that involves the use of an animal. A trained dog, for instance, is incorporated into the treatment plan as an essential part of an individual’s sober living recovery.
Yoga
A form of exercise which invites an integrated experience of body and mind. Its healing effects can be experienced immediately as well as over time. yoga in drug addiction treatment recognizes that most addicts tend to harm their bodies through drugs and alcohol because they don’t feel comfortable in their skin. They have feelings buried deeply inward that the use of drug keeps in place. Yet, yoga connects the body and mind. It’s an opportunity to change the need to bury feelings by tending to the needs of the body through mindful movements.
This list has provided some of the alternative ways that have been more recently included in drug addiction treatment. It’s not uncommon to visit a residential treatment facility and find some of the treatment methods listed here. Perhaps you might also consider these drug addiction treatment methods in your recovery as well.
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