Holistic Addiction Treatment in Danvers, MA

While traditional treatment methods have been proven to be effective when it comes to treating addiction and mental health issues, alternative treatment methods, such as holistic treatments, have grown in popularity as well. More and more treatment centers are using holistic treatment to complement more traditional treatment methods.

Whether you are someone suffering from a substance abuse issue, a mental health condition, or both, you might benefit from holistic treatment in addition to traditional treatment. We offer holistic addiction treatment at Chapters Recovery because we understand the benefits of this approach to rehabilitation.

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What Does ‘Holistic’ Mean?

Before we get into holistic treatment, how it works, and the different kinds of holistic treatment available, it’s important to understand what the term ‘holistic’ means.

Holistic treatment refers to treatment for the “whole person”. It incorporates both the mind and the body. When someone participates in holistic treatment or holistic therapy, they are participating in a program or activity that is meant to treat and heal them both physically and mentally.

While more conventional forms of treatment might address the mental side or the physical side, holistic treatment addresses the mental and physical sides.

What Exactly is a Holistic Addiction Treatment Program?

Again, a holistic addiction treatment program is a program that is designed to treat both the body and the mind. Holistic addiction treatment helps those in recovery address their issues in a physical, mental, and spiritual manner. In some treatment centers, holistic treatment might be referred to as alternative treatment.

Examples of holistic therapy include:

Yoga
Reiki
Tai Chi
Massage
Meditation
Mindfulness
Energy work
Biofeedback

Neurofeedback
Herbal supplements
Nutritional therapy
Acupuncture
Exercise
Writing
Music
Art

Each of these holistic approaches comes with its own benefits and advantages. Some may prove to be more effective for certain individuals, depending on their particular needs. Exploring the benefits of each holistic approach can help people to determine the best type of treatment for them.

Meditation

Addiction treatment isn’t just learning about how the addiction developed in the first place. It’s also about learning how to clear your mind and eliminate bad thoughts from the brain. Mediation, such as yoga and tai chi can help not only clear the mind but allow your body, mind, and spirit to become one.

Nutritional Therapy

For many addictions and mental health conditions, a common side effect is a poor nutrition. Some people who suffer from behavioral health disorders or mental health disorders find themselves not getting the proper nutrition. Or, they may eat too much or too little.

A healthy body and brain are major keys to recovery and that begins with what you put in it. Incorporating a healthy, well-balanced diet can go a long way in helping both the body and mind heal.

Massage and Acupuncture

Other common side effects of addiction are stress, anxiety, and depression. While meditation can be a great way to address these issues, massage therapy and acupuncture can also be helpful. While massage therapy is used as a relaxation tool, acupuncture is used to restore balance in the body and the brain.

Exercise

Daily exercise can help build a routine that was missing while suffering from addiction. It is also another way to relieve stress and adopt a healthier overall lifestyle.

A common type of exercise therapy is known as adventure therapy. Adventure therapy involves recreational activities such as rock climbing or hiking.

Art, Music, and Writing

People sometimes prefer to express themselves in different ways. While traditional group and individual therapy are effective, some people prefer to share their feelings and express their thoughts in other manners. Art, music, and writing can be a great way for those people to express themselves while also participating in an enjoyable activity.

Some examples of this are:

Poetry
Singing
Songwriting
Playing an instrument
Journaling
Doodling
Drawing
Painting

How Does Holistic Addiction Treatment Help in the Recovery Process?

Many treatment professionals have found holistic addiction treatment to be effective in helping treat substance abuse and mental health issues. Holistic treatment allows treatment professionals to address the mind, spirit, and body all at the same time during therapy.

Holistic therapy also encourages and promotes and healthier lifestyle. Plus, most of the activities can be done outside of treatment, meaning once a person leaves treatment they can continue to practice holistic therapy on their own.

Some of the biggest benefits of holistic therapy as it pertains to treating mental and substance abuse issues include:

Promoting fitness and a healthier lifestyle
Reducing the appeal of drug and alcohol use
Identifying the cause of addiction and addressing it
Learning healthier ways to deal with emotional triggers
Increasing self-confidence and self-worth
Combating certain withdrawal symptoms
Strengthening the resistance to cravings

What Can a Holistic Approach Treat?

Holistic treatment has been proven to be effective in treating a wide variety of both mental health and substance abuse issues. Some of the conditions that we treat at Chapters Recovery Center that holistic therapy can help with include:

Substance Use Disorders:

Drug addiction
Opioid addiction
Alcohol addiction
Prescription drug addiction
Cocaine addiction
Heroin addiction
Meth addiction

Mental Health Disorders:

Anxiety Disorder
Eating Disorders
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Schizophrenia
Depression

Where Does Holistic Treatment Fit in the Overall Addiction Process?

Holistic therapy can be used during every step of the addiction process, from detox all the way through to aftercare.

Detox

Detoxing is the first step in the overall recovery process. It rids the body and the brain of any and all harmful substances so they can begin to heal. Often, detox comes with intense withdrawal symptoms that require medical care and monitoring. That’s why detoxification should be done under the care and supervision of trained medical professionals at either a local medical facility, a detox center, or a treatment center that also offers detox services like Chapters Recovery Center.

During the detox process, certain holistic therapies can be used to help alleviate some of the withdrawal symptoms and make you more comfortable. For example, massage therapy and acupuncture are great ways to alleviate some of the aches and pains associated with detox. Yoga and meditation can be helpful in clearing the mind and not thinking about the cravings that might be occurring.

Treatment

Once detox has been completed, the next step is to enter into a treatment program. Addiction treatment is centered around group and individual therapy sessions where you will talk through your issues and get a better understanding of how your addiction developed. This is known as talk therapy.

During treatment, holistic therapy is often used as a complement to talk therapy. While one-on-one and group sessions with a therapist are beneficial, alternative treatments such as art, music, or writing therapy can open up an entirely new world and activate parts of the brain that you might not have been aware even existed. These types of therapies can also allow you to express yourself in ways that you can’t during more traditional therapy sessions.

Aftercare

Even though treatment has been completed your sobriety journey is just beginning. Getting and remaining sober is a lifelong journey and something you have to work on every day. Many of the holistic therapies that you participate in during treatment can also be used once you return back home and go back to your normal life.

Nutrition therapy will teach you how to incorporate a better, well-balanced diet into your life and how it can help you move forward with your sobriety. Exercise, yoga, meditation, and mindfulness therapy can show you ways in which you can calm your mind and handle cravings or temptations in a healthier manner. They can also help you address emotions or mental issues that you might have turned to drugs or alcohol to deal with previously.

The journaling, artwork, or music you create while in treatment can be continued once you return home as well. You can use these techniques to express yourself and share how you are feeling in a healthy and sober way.

Does Holistic Treatment Work on Co-Occurring Disorders?

When someone is suffering from a substance use disorder and a mental health condition at the same time, it is known as a co-occurring disorder. Often, a person suffering from a mental health condition may turn to drugs or alcohol to feel better. This can result in the development of an addiction. In some cases, someone can develop a mental health condition as a result of all the negative side effects of their addiction.

Holistic therapy has been proven to be effective in not just treating substance abuse issues but mental health conditions as well. In fact, relaxation techniques such as the ones taught during yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and tai chi have been proven to be effective in treating issues such as anxiety, depression, stress, and PTSD. Movement therapy has also proven to be effective in treating schizophrenia.

Are You Interested In Holistic Addiction Treatment?

At Chapters Recovery Center, we understand how valuable holistic treatment is as a complement to the more traditional treatments and therapies. That’s why, in addition to our traditional therapies, we also offer holistic therapies as well.

If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction and could benefit from both traditional and holistic addiction treatment, contact our Danvers, MA facility today.

Holistic Addiction Treatment at Chapters Recovery