Holistic Therapy

Holistic therapy is an approach to treatment that addresses the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of a person’s wellbeing as interconnected parts of overall health. It’s an integrative approach to help someone achieve long-term abstinence from drugs or alcohol.

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What Is Holistic Therapy in Addiction Treatment?

Holistic therapies support conventional evidence-based methods, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Holistic care addresses the whole person, rather than focusing on one area of concern.

Examples of holistic therapies that assist with addiction recovery include the following:

• Mindfulness meditation
• Transcendental meditation
• Yoga for addiction recovery
• Acupuncture
• Massage
• Energy therapies
• Qi gong
• Biofeedback
• Hypnotherapy
• Guided imagery or visualization
• Music or art therapy

Holistic treatment is beneficial in all stages of addiction recovery.

What Does “Holistic” Mean in a Rehab or Detox Setting?

The holistic therapy definition includes techniques and methods trained professionals use to support healing of various parts of the body. In a detox setting, holistic therapies can be paired with medications to ease withdrawal symptoms and stabilization.

For example, professionals in sobriety and Suboxone holistic services understand the importance of pairing medicine and alternative therapies. They incorporate holistic principles into psychotherapy during individual and group activities.

There’s a difference between holistic therapy versus regular counseling. They’re both advantageous for long-term recovery from substance use disorders. When combined, they work to limit the potential relapse triggers. Participants can also learn the necessary skills for long-term recovery.

What is Holistic Treatment?

Holistic treatment is an overlap of complementary and traditional treatment that goes beyond treating only the addiction. The theory behind holistic treatment is that when other areas of a person’s life are left untreated, like physical pain or mental health symptoms, they could become triggers for relapse on alcohol or drugs.

While traditional treatment methods like CBT are excellent tools for recovery, they can become more effective when paired with holistic therapies to improve a person’s recovery. Holistic therapy treatments include yoga, massage, acupuncture, acupressure, fitness, hypnotherapy, tai chi and many other relaxation techniques.

When is Holistic Therapy Used in Addiction Recovery?

Holistic counseling can play a supportive role in various addiction recovery treatment stages. It should start as soon as a person stops using drugs or alcohol. Holistic healing techniques can improve someone’s experience in detox, holistic alcohol rehab, and aftercare.

Holistic Detox

When detoxing from drugs or alcohol, a person may experience a wide range of uncomfortable symptoms.

Some common symptoms are listed below:

• Nausea
• Aches and pains
• Headaches
• Sweating
• Chills
• Fever
• Digestive issues
• Cravings and urges

Holistic interventions such as acupuncture and massage can ease some withdrawal symptoms. Learning meditation and relaxation techniques can help redirect your focus away from cravings or pain and assist with MAT in stabilization.

Holistic Drug Rehab

Holistic drug rehabilitation programs include inpatient and holistic outpatient treatment that focus on teaching participants crucial recovery skills to abstain from drugs or alcohol. Therapists use CBT to teach people how to change unhealthy thinking patterns to healthy ones to avoid harmful behaviors.

Conventional treatment works. However, its effectiveness can be enhanced when paired with holistic therapies. For example, if someone receives holistic care for alcoholism, their daily schedule can consist of individual and group therapies to prevent relapse.

They also learn to be aware of physical and psychological needs that contribute to alcohol cravings and how to find healthier ways to meet those needs instead of giving in.

Holistic Aftercare

Treatment does not stop when someone is discharged from outpatient or holistic inpatient treatment centers. Care teams create aftercare plans to help people continue their recovery success once they graduate from a program.

Holistic aftercare refers to connecting you with community resources that are readily accessible to maintain recovery. This may include ongoing massage or acupuncture appointments, journaling, yoga classes or meeting with holistic providers of your choice.

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Benefits of Holistic Therapy in Addiction Recovery

Holistic therapy helps someone pay closer attention to specific needs and address them for a long-term recovery.

Benefits of holistic therapy include:

• Reduces stress and anxiety
• Improves emotional regulation
• Decreases withdrawal symptoms
• Builds self-awareness
• Boosts self-esteem
• Enhances treatment engagement and retention
• Fosters connection and community
• Complements trauma-informed care

The benefits of holistic healing last far beyond initial addiction recovery. Substance abuse and mental health holistic treatment teach people how to identify and overcome obstacles that may usually become triggers for relapses.

Holistic Therapy Techniques Used in Drug and Alcohol Rehab

A person’s treatment team, including doctors and therapists, determine which holistic therapy techniques are best for recovery. The provider selects treatments based on each person’s unique recovery needs and varies them for each person. The following are common holistic treatment options.

Mind-Body Types of Holistic Therapy

The mind and body work in tandem, but when someone has a substance use disorder, that interaction is impaired. The key to mind-body types of holistic therapy is to improve this connection so you experience overall well-being.

Techniques include the following:

• Yoga for addiction recovery
• Trauma-informed yoga
• Meditation
• Massage therapy
• Tai chi
• Relaxation techniques
• Breathwork
• Mindfulness-based CBT
• Somatic experiencing

For some people, mind-body techniques are excellent for reducing cravings to drink or use drugs. When triggers occur, they help reduce anxiety and prevent relapse.

Expressive and Creative Types of Holistic Therapy

Expressive and creative holistic therapies engage people on multiple physical and psychological levels. They give participants alternative ways of expressing emotions and communication to supplement traditional therapies.

Holistic therapy examples for expressive and creative treatments can consist of:

• Art therapy for substance abuse
• Music therapy in rehab
• Dance movement therapy
• Journaling in recovery
• Drama/acting therapy

Combining expressive therapies with traditional counseling enhances the recovery process. They help facilitate the life changes necessary to maintain abstinence and improve a person’s confidence to achieve optimal outcomes in recovery.

Physical Types of Holistic Therapy

Physical holistic therapies aim to reduce withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, headaches, and body pain. They may improve mental health symptoms like anxiety and depression by boosting the feel-good chemicals in the brain.

Another benefit is emotional regulation, a critical part of recovery.

Examples of physical holistic healing therapies are:

• Massage therapy for addiction
• Acupuncture for detox
• Tai chi
• Cranial sacral therapy
• Energy healing, such as Reiki

Physical holistic therapy treatments promote overall mental, emotional, and physical well-being. They utilize holistic therapy approaches that teach how the body is connected to the mental and spiritual self, and that healing the whole self leads to better recovery outcomes. 

Spiritual and Nature-Based Types of Holistic Therapies

Spiritual therapy for addiction can be essential for some people. It usually consists of connecting with a higher power, values, beliefs, or life’s purpose. Connecting to nature is another common way of tapping your spiritual core.

Examples of spiritual and nature-based holistic therapies include:

• Grounding
• Nature-based mindfulness
• Wilderness therapy
• Nature preservation

Spiritual and natural healing therapies help you learn to observe rather than control, accept rather than resist, be curious rather than demand answers, share rather than possess, and celebrate rather than objectify. You can better appreciate a sober lifestyle and experience joy in recovery.

Lifestyle and Supportive Types of Holistic Therapies

Learning how to make appropriate lifestyle choices is critical for recovery. An unhealthy lifestyle is a risk factor for relapse if someone continues to live the way they did before entering treatment.

Some basic holistic interventions and recovery planning tools include:

• Nutritional counseling
• Exercise therapy
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
• Mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy
• Guided imagery
• Somatic body-based practices

Lifestyle and supportive therapies help people in recovery develop healthy habits that contribute to overall health and long-term success. They learn to make decisions by prioritizing their needs and seeking support when needed.

Learn more about holistic therapy, call today.

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Who Benefits Most from Holistic Addiction Treatment?

Holistic substance abuse treatment is ideal for those looking for alternative or complementary therapies to supplement recovery.

They may be especially beneficial for those who:

• Have post-traumatic stress
• Experience co-occurring disorders
• Seek alternative ways to express themselves
• Identify as LGBTQ+ and are seeking alternatives to traditional therapies
• Are resistant to talk therapy alone

Holistic therapies are chosen by treatment teams when people have multiple disorders and want to add holistic mental health treatment to aid in recovery. Alternative rehab is also easily integrated and flexible when coordinating with traditional therapies.

Holistic Therapy vs Traditional Rehab Approaches

There is no competition between holistic therapy and regular therapy. Holistic therapy is not a replacement for conventional, evidence-based treatment approaches.

It should instead be added to a treatment plan to take you to the next level of self-awareness and self-care to improve overall outcomes. For example, holistic therapies can work alongside MAT to prevent cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

In alternative rehab and integrative detox programs, holistic therapies can complement behavioral therapies by adding mindfulness to each technique. They also help some people achieve success in alternative drug treatment that traditional treatments can’t do alone. 

For instance, someone with trauma may benefit from CBT but struggle to move past the trauma fully. Pairing CBT with EMDR or guided imagery may help reduce trauma and its effects.

How Long Does Holistic Therapy Last?

The length of holistic therapy varies for every person. Most holistic treatment plans consider an individual’s immediate and long-term needs to help them maintain recovery. Many begin holistic detox and add inpatient and holistic outpatient treatment programs as they progress through the continuum of care.

The more treatment a person receives, the better they’ll be prepared to avoid relapse. Many people who experience success in recovery continue holistic therapies after completing their programs.

How to Choose a Holistic Rehab Program

When searching for a holistic drug treatment center, don’t be afraid to ask questions to determine if they’re the best option for your circumstances.

Use the following as a guide when talking to the holistic rehabilitation center:

• What types of holistic therapies are available?
• What’s a holistic therapist, and what do they do?
• Do they employ licensed, credentialed holistic practitioners?
• Are holistic therapies part of a comprehensive treatment program?
• Do they offer culturally sensitive, holistic therapies?
• Is trauma-informed holistic care available?

Visit their website to view their holistic rehab facilities or take a physical tour before entering treatment. The best holistic addiction treatment centers are eager to share their options to help you engage in treatment and maintain recovery.

Find Holistic Therapy Near You

Are you searching for “holistic therapy near me,” “holistic detox center near me,” or “holistic drug rehab near me?” Rather than try to sift through the numerous results, check out resources like Detox.com.

You can look at resources and guides to find the best holistic rehab center near you so you can start your holistic alcohol recovery as soon as possible.

FAQs About Holistic Therapy

Why Holistic Therapy Is Worth Considering

Holistic therapy benefits your whole self. Integrating with traditional therapies improves your overall mental and physical health. Holistic therapies make you more aware and present of your needs so you can meet them and experience a new level of healing.

You should consider holistic therapy if you are in treatment for substance abuse, a mental health condition, or co-occurring disorders. Whether you are entering holistic drug detox for withdrawal symptoms or attending a holistic drug rehab to learn recovery skills, holistic therapies can enhance your experience.

Holistic therapies are tools that, once you learn, can be applied to numerous scenarios, helping you overcome obstacles you face in recovery. Holistic techniques can be implemented for the rest of your life, in aftercare and beyond.

Ready to learn more about holistic therapy for addiction recovery? Call today, and get the care you need.

800-996-6135

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