Treat Addiction Holistically
Treatment for a physical addiction, whether it be alcohol, narcotics or nicotine, can be both frightening and challenging. There are a community of addiction treatment specialists that are beginning to look at holistic methods for treating drug and alcohol addiction. These approaches take a look at how chemical dependency affects the mind and spiritual nature of a person as well as his body. Alternative therapies such as acupuncture, nutrition, yoga, massage, energy work, and the use of homeopathy all play a role in holistic addiction treatment.
Instructions
1. Talk to a counselor who specializes in addiction and who uses a holistic approach to medicine. If you are having trouble locating someone you can try looking on community boards in health or natural food stores. Talking with someone about the specifics of your addiction will help to focus which holistic practice may work best for your case.
2. Visit an acupuncture clinic. The use of acupuncture is thousands of years old. Many Western addiction treatment specialists have started using acupuncture as a way to relieve symptoms of withdrawal in alcohol, opiate and nicotine addicts.
3. Find a faith-based recovery program. Spirituality can take many approaches. Some people are uncomfortable with a strict practice in a singular religion, but may appreciate guidance from a different spiritual source. People can be attracted to Western or Eastern philosophies, take comfort in the natural world, or prefer to combine elements of a variety of faiths. Finding strength outside yourself is a fundamental practice for many recovering addicts.
4. Get fit. Becoming physically active will go a long way in helping you to recover. Ask your partner or friend to work out with you, this will help keep you accountable. It's okay if you start slow at first; as you get further away from your old lifestyle, your body will become stronger. Exercising can mean running, working out with weights, walking on a treadmill or doing other practices like yoga. Yoga as a practice works on strengthening the mind, body and spirit through various poses, which is why it is being used more and more as addiction therapy.
5. Consult a nutritionist. People who have abused alcohol and drugs will need to create a healthy diet to help their bodies heal. Talk with a licensed nutritionist so she can set a plan for healthy eating while you are in recovery. In some cases additional vitamins and supplements may be added to help strengthen a weakened immune or digestive system brought on by drug or alcohol addiction.
6. Locate a treatment center in your area that includes many of these components of holistic healing. You may benefit from participating in a 30 to 90 day in-patient holistic treatment program. Here you will be surrounded by trained practitioners who specialize in holistic addiction treatment. Sometimes people do well when they are completely removed from their old lifestyle so they can focus on beginning a new, healthier life.
Tags: addiction treatment, Addiction Holistically, addiction treatment specialists, alcohol addiction, drug alcohol