Substance abuse is one of the very rampant vices in the society today. As a matter of fact, it tops the chart of social ills as it is now popular among people of all ages, culture, belief, and gender.
This social decadence degenerates into different levels of mental and physical health conditions especially in addicted consumers. And once it becomes an addiction withdrawal and recovery becomes such a tough task. It is at this point that different recovery programs are administered to help addicts get over the addiction.
The holistic approach is one of the different approaches to fighting drug abuse. In this article, you’ll learn the rudiments of the holistic approach to substance abuse recovery and its operation in comparison to other recovery programs.
The Holistic Approach to Substance Abuse Recovery
The holistic approach to substance abuse treatment refers to a recent discovery that posits an alternative method to outpatient substance abuse treatment procedures.
The holistic approach is an all-encompassing program that includes the existing regiments from traditional treatment modalities as well as other new modalities that target other areas of the patient’s wellbeing and aims towards the well-rounded development of the mind.
The overall goal of the holistic therapy approach includes:
- The promotion of physical fitness
- The identification of the underlying causes of addiction
- Increased and improved self-confidence
- Reduced appeal for drug and alcohol
- Improving patients’ resistance to cravings
So, for instance, during a holistic therapy session, substance abuse patients will be afforded the opportunity to express their thoughts across other themes and subject matter. They undertake sessions that heighten leisure and recreational skills, spiritual growth, and their art and creative skills.
They also take cognizance of patient’s cultural awareness and social appreciation. Knowledge about vocational services is also taught. Asides from these, psychiatric care is also administered, and physical health is proved through exercises, dance therapy, and Tai Chi.
The holistic approach gives patients a new sense of identity, purpose, self-esteem, and confidence. Patients come out with optimum mental health, fit bodies, positive minds, and a mended spirit; ready to face the world anew.
Benefits of the Holistic Approach
- Patients can stay in touch with their inner self and the environment through Yoga, routine exercise, Tai chi, guided meditation, spiritual therapy, Acupuncture, counselling, rich nutrition, and massage.
- It is a once-and-for-all therapy routine that solves other mental and physical problems asides those from substance abuse.
- It promises an improved body and mind vitality.
The Holistic Approach vs. Traditional Approach
By design, traditional recovery treatment for substance abuse is the classical way through which substance abuse have been combated over time. It involves:
- family therapy
- individual therapy
- motivational incentive
- motivational enhancement therapy
- group therapy
- anonymous groups
- cognitive behavioural therapy
It is quite different from the holistic approach to substance abuse recovery. In subsequent paragraphs, we will give details about the key differences.
Holistic therapy is all-encompassing. It does not leave out any part of one’s life. Meanwhile, traditional recovery therapies only concentrate on the problem at hand. Traditional therapies have no business with the spiritual dynamics of patients.
A holistic therapy aims to give the mind, body, and soul a new perspective to internal and external issues of life. It goes beyond the surface into root causes. Although, in the same vein, the traditional therapy also solves root causes but it does not go as deeply into the root as holistic therapies do.
Holistic approach creates a sync between the body, mind, and spirit. It puts the patient in a position of inner-connectedness such that introspection is possible and there is clarity with regards to self identity. Whereas, the traditional approach only focuses on the source of the problem. It has no business uniting the body, soul, and spirit. Except of course, the unity of these human elements hold the solution to the problem.
Holistic therapy is more robust and thorough. It not only focuses on the problem at hand. And as a result, its deepened methodology helps to fix problems that were not noticed prior to the therapy. This is not the case with the traditional method of combating substance abuse. The only problem that a traditional therapist will proffer solutions to, is the problem that the patient identified.
Usually, holistic therapy leads patient to pick up new and healthy habits that grow into lifestyles with consistency. This feature also exists in the case of traditional therapies, howbeit at a minimal level.
Holistic therapy employs nutrition, meditation, exercises, and mind games in ensuring general stability of the mind, soul, and spirit. It goes further into helping patients recover from the physical effects of substance abuse, addiction, and withdrawal.
However, some of the similarities between both methods include their non-medicinal recovery patterns and the success rate of these methods.
Other Popular Alternatives to the Holistic Approach to Addiction Recovery
There are some other recovery programs that may serve as an addiction recovery routine. While some are administered independently of the holistic therapy, the ones listed below can work independently of the therapy as well as grafted into the holistic therapy approach.
Herbal therapy
This entails the consumption or application of certain herbs such asvalerian, ginseng, andkaya. They are major lyaimedat improved detoxification, and the reduction of withdrawal effects like in insomnia and anxiety.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture has its root in ancient Asia. It us a needle insertion program that reduces the effect of abuse withdrawal and aids the detoxification of the body. It also reduces some recovery symptoms like muscle aches and cravings.
Biofeedback
The biofeedback alternative to the holistic therapy is a tech-based method of tracking progress. It entails the use of machines in testing brain waves. This makes it easy to read and interpret the state of the mind.
Hypnosis
Targets the mind. It helps to ingrain information and instructions into the subconscious mind. It helps patients heal fast while drowning the cravings for drugs. It also works on the self-esteem.
While some of these alternative methods can be administered without the help of a rehab specialist, it is important to inquire from your rehab specialist or therapist before implementing the methods. Hence, no matter how stress less and non-technical an alternative method is (yoga for instance) ensure you inquire first.
