Holistic addiction treatment is treating the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. Holistic treatment uses a combination of traditional and non-traditional methods. Traditional treatment methods include 12-step programs, cognitive behavioral therapy, individual and group counseling, contingency management and some medication treatment.

Some non-traditional treatment may include spiritual guidance (Western and Eastern), nutrition, massage, biofeedback, acupuncture, and self-hypnosis. And it can be physical exercise like Pilates, yoga, tai chi, and walking. 

Essentially, a person’s entire life is overhauled from the inside out.

The holistic method has become popular and successful around the country in the last decade. Some holistic treatment centers report success rates up to 90%.

Let’s take a closer look at some of these treatments.

Spirit
The original 12-step program dates back to 1935 and is founded in Christian principle. It became the basis for Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other 12-step addiction programs like Narcotics Anonymous (NA). The first two steps calls for the addict to admit they were powerless over their addiction. And that a greater power could help restore them to “sanity”.

And while the 12-step program is still used in holistic treatment, there is greater emphasis placed on any and all spiritual connections, not just God.

Holistic treatment centers recognize that people come from different faiths and backgrounds—Christians, Hindus, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists and even atheists and agnostics. And they encourage their clients to become closer to their higher power.

You’ll find weekly prayer and meditations. And patients are usually free to worship in their own religious house off-site.

Holistic treatment centers encourage peace, harmony and serenity no matter your beliefs.

Mind
For addressing the mental aspect, holistic treatment programs focus on a number of traditional options. Here are a few treatment options:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)- This highly individualized approach looks at a patient’s thoughts and behaviors. It helps them unlearn old habits while relearning healthier ones. CBT also teaches coping skills: how to deal with situations where drugs are involved; how to deal with life’s pressures; how to cope with drug craving; and how to problem solve are just some of the skills.
  • Individual/Group Counseling- Individual counseling addresses the symptoms of the addiction and the counselor will discuss and the content of the on-going rehab. Group counseling fosters an environment of peer support as well encouraging communication in a social setting.
  • Contingency Management Training is a program designed to reward patients for clean urine samples with financial gifts such as cash and gift cards.
  • Understanding the Systemic nature of the body—how all parts are connected and how one disturbance can set off a chain reaction—is important for someone long accustomed to abusing their body.

Body
The body was perhaps the most over-looked aspect of treatment for years. With holistic treatment, attention to the body is as important as any of the other aspects. Drug addicts and alcoholics come to treatment with bodies that are chemically altered and deficient.

In addition to detoxing the body of the drugs and alcohol, one needs to begin to repair and balance their body. Here are some of the methods in holistic treatment therapy:

  • Massage is an effective method of relieving stress and anxiety and release endorphins that help battle depression.
  • Meditation can help relax the body, bring peace of mind and help to reprogram your way of thinking.
  • Proper nutrition can help restore a malnourished body, increase strength, and improve mood. The right vitamins and supplements can help a weakened immune and digestive system.
  • Yoga’s many benefits: strengthens the nervous system, balances the endocrine system, and improves self-control and self-awareness.
  • Neurotransmitter Restoration (NTR) is IV amino acid therapy that rebuilds drug-damaged areas of the brain. As the amino acids rebuild the neurotransmitters, drug cravings disappear.
  • Acupuncture uses tiny needles to attempt to restore the body’s energy flow and produce a feeling of well-being.
  • Biofeedback therapy teaches patients to recognize when their bodies exhibit physiological actions that could be triggering addictive cravings.
  • Hypnosis puts a patient in a state of focused concentration. The mind in this state is more open to positive suggestion and ideas.
  • Art has long been used for relaxation and connection purposes. For addicts, art can be used to create some of the same feelings once produced by drugs and alcohol. Whether it’s pleasure or peace or the act of simply creating, art has shown to be effective.

Other types of therapies you might run across are aroma, music, herbal, animal, coloring and imagery. One holistic treatment center in Arizona even has a ropes course.

Summary
If you’re looking for more than the traditional addiction therapy, consider a holistic treatment center. Addiction treatment is different for everyone. You may need to experiment with several types of methods before finding the right combination.