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The Malibu Beach Recovery Center
Addiction Library Article:

Holistic Drug Treatment

Holistic Addiction Treatment

Treating The Whole Person, Not Just Addiction 

Apr 27, 2009 Lisa Ann Schleipfer

Holistic addiction programs can allow a more complete recovery, by addressing social, emotional and physical issues surrounding the client's addiction.

Holistic medicine is a treatment method for illness that takes into account a patient's entire well being, including mental, physical, spiritual and emotional health. Holistic medicine practices date back some 5,000 years, to early China and India. In the western world, holistic medicine made its way in the 20th century as an alternative to American allopathic medicine.

For clients experiencing problems with drugs or alcohol, factors such as self-esteem, socioeconomic background and living environment all play a role abusing or addiction to substances. Many rehabilitation facilities are turning to holistic programs and treatments that go beyond traditional psychological therapy and medications to treat substance abuse.

Holistic Rehab Beginnings

As many as 98.3 percent of rehabilitation centers offer alternative programs for substance abuse treatment, according to the National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services, including acupuncture, social services and mentoring.

Other holistic treatment services, such as meditation, massage therapy, yoga or acupuncture, are still a relatively new trend in western addiction treatment programs, but their rising popularity may bring a new wave of studies and surveys to track the effectiveness of such holistic addiction treatments.

Massage Therapy

A 2007 article published in Massage magazine details how massage therapy can help clients with cocaine addiction as they go through the recovery process. It is thought that massage helps clients relax and reduce worry, which in turn reduces their stress and the brain's release of the stress hormone, cortisol. Massage also is known to improve breathing and allows the clients the experience of touch in a non-clinical setting.

All of these factors in combination can help those with cocaine addiction focus on the therapy at hand, and allows clients to be more self-aware of their bodies, their surroundings and their addiction.

Yoga Therapy

When discussing the yoga in a holistic addiction treatment setting, the benefits are remarkably similar for addicts as they are for non-addicts. For those with addiction, these yoga benefits simply affect their health in a different way.

Like massage therapy, yoga can help clients reduce stress and reduce the production of cortisol. Designed to prevent relapse, and help clients deal with relapse should it occur, participating in yoga as an addiction treatment helps clients make better decisions about his or her health. In addition, yoga as a holistic addiction treatment helps addicts maintain focus on their recovery.

A 2008 study in the Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse reports that a 90-day yoga program resulted in a reduction in addictive behavior, depression and anxiety among other factors of reduction.

Holistic Future

As the methodologies of holistic addiction treatment continue to evolve, the need for scientific study on the effectiveness of holistic programs such as yoga and massage therapy is becoming more and more urgent. This does not mean, however, that holistic addiction treatment does not have its place, nor that it does not have real and tangible results for clients in the recovery process.

Copyright Lisa Ann Schleipfer.

ADDITIONAL NOTES ABOUT QUALITY HOLISTIC DRUG TREATMENT

    BY Joan Borsten

    1. Look for a Physician who believes in using a minimalist approach to detox.  This means that the only pharmaceuticals used should be  those required to help patients comfortably and safely withdraw from alcohol, illicit drugs and prescribed pills. 
    2. Beware physicians who prolong the detox period and prescribe a long list of meds.
    3. Many doctors nowadays chose to use Buprenorphines (subutex or suboxone) to wean patients off heroin or pain pills without addicting them to the synthetic opiates. 
    4. To the greatest extent possible, natural food supplements, amino acids, as well as non-invasive holistic treatments such as oxygen therapy and Cranial Electro Stimulation should be used instead of pharmaceuticals to stabilize patients during detox. 
    5. Detox should be completed in 7-10 days (except detox from benzodiazapines which can require several weeks of tapering) so that the client can fully benefit from participation in the treatment program.
    6. The goal should be to leave treatment with a regimen of food supplements and recovery tools that do not include unnecessary prescription drugs.
    7. Some patients will need anti-psychotics and mood stabilizers in addition to a life style change that includes a healthy diet, exercise regimen and food supplements.






Addiction robs people of their dignity and life before it kills them. We can help you achieve sobriety now - and maintain it for life. If you or a loved one needs help call our supportive intake staff who will address your concerns and guide you through the intake process:

C all: 1-800-366-8101 or email us at info@malibubeachrecovery.com

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