What is Holistic Addiction Treatment?

Substance abuse and addiction are complicated problems that can take root in various physical, emotional, and social factors. Each person has a unique journey through life and requires an individualized plan to address their wants and needs. As we understand more about addiction, how it happens, and what impact it has on someone’s life it is clear that it is a complex issue that needs a compassionate, holistic approach to treating it.

A holistic treatment approach is to treat the whole person. We understand that addiction is not simply a medical issue, so it doesn’t work to treat only the symptoms. It is also not simply a mental health issue, so therapy alone is not enough to support someone’s journey to sobriety. Instead, a successful treatment program must incorporate care for the person’s body, mind, and spirit to give them the best chance of staying sober for the long term.

At Anchored Recovery Center, we use a holistic approach to treatment for substance use and mental health disorders and keep the whole person in mind when developing treatment plans.

What Holistic Practices Are Used in Addiction Treatment?

A holistic approach to substance abuse treatment aims to connect or align a person’s mind, body, and spirit. Some commonly-used practices include:

• Yoga
• Massage
• Acupuncture
• Nutritional therapy
• Biofeedback
• Energy work
• Meditation

These holistic practices are used to heal the body and soothe the mind and relieve some of the physical and mental symptoms of withdrawal. They allow people to identify their strengths and develop healthy coping mechanisms and support a sense of grounding. They are practices that promote relaxation, help people feel safe, and encourage them to address their addiction’s underlying causes. Holistic treatment increases a sense of self-worth and improves self-esteem. Using these techniques can give people a better chance of achieving sobriety and maintaining it long-term.

What Role Does Mental Health Have in Addiction Treatment?

Mental health issues are often causative factors of substance abuse, and the effects of some substances can cause the symptoms of mental illness to be difficult to manage. When treating substance abuse, it is important to assess the whole person. Each person must receive care that considers their past, present situation, and hopes for the future. Part of understanding how to treat someone holistically means untangling their mental health issues from their substance abuse and treating both of these issues.

Many commonly-used holistic treatments have a positive effect on the symptoms of mental illness. They can provide calming and centering sensations, and many allow people to gain more control over their thought patterns. Taking care of the body and mind is important, and a holistic approach works well for many people as they work towards recovery and sobriety.

What Evidence-Based Approach Has the Best Results?

It is not enough to focus on only the physical aspects of substance abuse and addiction. To give people the best chance at recovery and allow them to live healthy, full lives, they must be treated as whole beings who belong to a community. Holistic rehab programs do not ignore the evidence-based approach of medical detox and therapy. Instead, the holistic approach weaves other supportive practices into traditional treatment programs to treat the whole person. This range of approaches lets people take part in their recovery and gives them a chance to process their physical and emotional changes in several ways.

When people are provided thoughtful holistic care, they are more likely to take an interest in their own recovery and utilize the tools they need to stay sober and live a full, self-directed life as part of their community.