Treatment for alcohol or substance abuse traditionally considers the physical and psychological struggles associated with breaking the bonds of addiction. But a holistic approach to addiction and recovery strengthens the mind-body-spirit connection to address the whole person’s needs while seeking a healthy life free from addiction. Since addiction impacts the physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of life and the relationships a person has with their family, friends, and community, a holistic addiction recovery program can help heal the mind, body, and spirit to bring health and balance to the whole person.
What is a holistic treatment for addiction?
Programs that utilize holistic methods will engage the client in various activities that help them heal in mind, body, and spirit during their recovery. Because the mind is affected by physical struggles like addiction, holistic addiction recovery programs employ modalities that support strong mental and emotional health to complement addiction treatment therapies. Instead of treating the individual symptoms of addiction, holistic treatment will provide multi-sensory activities to engage the mind and body to distract from the challenges of recovery, create a sense of mental well-being, and clear your mind so you can focus on healing.
The benefits of holistic treatment
When someone facing addiction enters a treatment program, the main goal is to return to a healthy, sober, substance-free life. But alternative treatments that take a holistic approach help to bring the body, mind, and spirit into alignment, and other benefits beyond addiction recovery will be experienced by the participant.
- Communication Skills Part of the holistic approach to addiction recovery will equip participants with strong communication skills to effectively voice their struggles and triumphs on their wellness journey.
- Life Skills Participants are introduced to various life skill learning opportunities to build up their confidence in living a substance-free life after the addiction treatment program ends.
- Mind-Body-Spirit Balance A holistic approach encourages participants to restore the balance between the three key elements to create a strong basis for resisting relapses back into addiction post-treatment.
- New Coping Mechanisms Participants learn about, practice, and establish new ways to cope with stress and addictive behaviors to help them maintain their sobriety once the treatment program has concluded.
- Stress Relief Alternative treatments for addiction that utilize holistic principles provide participants with multiple stress relief methods to assist in dealing with the everyday challenges and stressors that can make continued recovery difficult.
The Holistic Approach to Treatment
Programs that offer holistic activities may offer many different options for participants to choose from that work in conjunction with traditional therapy sessions, group meetings, and individualized treatments. These activities might include adventure therapy (experiential therapy), art therapy, creative arts expression, deep breathing exercises, guided imagery and meditation, mindfulness, music therapy, somatic experiencing, sound bath therapy, walking meditation, or yoga.
What is the Mind-Body-Spirit connection?
Often overlooked in Western medicine, alternative treatments for addiction that utilize holistic principles work to bring the mind, body, and spirit into balance in those seeking recovery. Finding this balance requires an individualized plan to consider all aspects of the person and what imbalances exist to best create harmony in their spirit, mind, and body.