Holistic Rehabilitation Programs
When we hear the term “holistic,” many of us think of new-age philosophies and idealism originating from a greater power or source. We might have immediate images of chanting and incense or contortionists in unfathomable yoga poses. In actuality, holistic simply means looking at a whole situation, a complete person or an entire issue. A holistic recovery program focuses more attention on the entire person and treats the person, not the addiction, as a whole.
What Kinds of Treatment Are Available With Holistic Recovery Programs?
According to the American Holistic Medical Association, there are many facets to the use of holistic approaches in the treatment of any person. These include:
- Acupuncture
- Chiropractic care
- Homeopathy
- Massage
- Ayurveda
- Herbal treatments
- Naturopathy
When a recovering addict chooses a holistic treatment program, he may be exposed to some or all of these types of treatments during the recovery process.
Holistic Versus Traditional Recovery
When applying the concept of holistic practices to the treatment of addiction, focus is placed on the overall countenance of a person rather than simply treating the symptoms of addiction. In order to heal the body, the holistic practitioner will place great importance on healing the energy centers and soul of a person, as well. For instance, Ayurvedic medicine is based on the concept that a person’s mind, body and spirit are intrinsically connected. In order to have good health, one must be at peace in their spirit. To have clarity of thought, one must have health in their body. In India, it is estimated that at least 90 percent of the citizens use Ayurvedic medicine on a regular basis. In the United States, Ayurvedic medicine is considered an alternative or complementary medicine, but the National Health Interview Survey in 2007 revealed that over 200,000 US adults had used this form of care in the previous year.
Ayurvedic medicine includes such concepts as yoga, meditation and spiritual enlightenment, as well as dietary management and cleansing of internal systems. Some treatment centers combine traditional Ayurvedic concepts with more mainstream approaches, taking the best of each system and working individually with each recovering addict.
In a traditional recovery program, focus is placed more on scientific approaches to care and treatment. The resident can expect to participate in group therapy sessions, individual therapy sessions, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and educational lectures. In a holistic treatment program, the residents might experience a more relaxed environment as they focus on self-discovery and the interconnectedness of themselves and the universe around them.
A traditional program might prescribe medications to alleviate cravings or withdrawal symptoms, while a holistic treatment program may focus more intently on detoxing the system naturally with alternative processes such as colonics or herbal remedies.
Massage therapy is also used in the holistic addiction treatment approach. Massage therapy has been used for centuries or longer in many places around the world as a healing modality. When it comes to addiction treatment, because in many cases withdrawal includes physical pain of the muscles and joints, massage therapy can be of great benefit for the management of these symptoms with less or no medication.
Homeopathy is the practice of using highly diluted doses of medicine created from plants and minerals to treat similar conditions. The Law of Similars is a concept that “like cures like.” The medicine needed to treat nausea, for instance, is Ipecacuanha, which is derived from the same species of plant that provides syrup of ipecac, a syrup that has been used by conventional doctors to induce vomiting. However, in the homeopathic variety, the ipecac is so highly diluted that it can effectively treat vomiting in some situations, according to the National Center for Homeopathy.
Reiki is another holistic healing modality that uses energy to induce healing at the energetic level. The name derives from two Japanese words which literally translate to “universal life force energy.” Originally developed as a self-healing process, Reiki is now practiced by many health care professionals for the benefits of others. This is a faith-based healing system used for the treatment of symptoms rather than the addiction itself.
The concept for how Reiki is performed is designed on the premise that healthy universal life force energy is necessary to dispel dis-ease from the body. In a setting similar to massage, although the individual being treated remains clothed, the practitioner places his or her hands over the recipient’s body. In a session that can last from 30 to 90 minutes or longer, the practitioner will harness the universal energy and let it flow through them into the recipient. Currently, there are many variations of Reiki available in a host of settings, including holistic rehab treatment programs.
Who Can Benefit from a Holistic Treatment Program?
Regardless of one’s spiritual or religious affiliations, if you believe in the relationship between mind, body and spirit, you may be a candidate for a holistic treatment program. The use of holistic principles in the recovery process can be adapted for every personality and every individual. If you find that yoga is helpful, but meditation isn’t up your alley, you can choose to concentrate on yoga. If you prefer meditation, a program can be tailored to suit you and your recovery needs.
Who Should Avoid Holistic Treatment Programs?
Since the holistic approach to drug addiction treatment is based, at least in part, on the connection that each part of the universe has to every other part, holistic treatments may not be effective for those with no desire to learn the concepts. Atheists, for instance, do not subscribe to a belief in the power of any gods or other sources of higher power. Holistic treatment programs, while they may or may not be specific to any religion or spiritual path, do manifest a universal existentialism. While those who operate holistic facilities may welcome anyone to use their services, someone without the desire to learn and grow in that environment may find an alternative treatment model more to their benefit.
Advantages
Holistic treatment programs are well rounded, generally focusing on all aspects of health and vitality. Attention is paid to diet and nutrition as a means to maintain sobriety and a resident might learn how to balance various dietary concerns, such as veganism, vegetarianism or carnivorous diets with keeping their body systems operating properly. Keeping the body fit to provide for peace of mind might be another focus. This is information that can benefit not only the recovering addict, but also their family and the general population.
The relaxing atmosphere of a holistic treatment center is also a benefit to this approach to treatment. One may expect to have access to massage therapy, Reiki and other alternative forms of treatment more readily from a center with a holistic approach than one that focuses on more traditional modalities.
Disadvantages
Many of the treatment aspects of a holistic program are considered alternative or complementary in nature. In other words, they are not recognized as medicine, per se, by some insurance companies or the federal government. Therefore, the biggest disadvantage to choosing a holistic treatment center for drug addiction is the overall cost. While some private facilities will not provide insurance billing services, at least a portion of their charges may be covered by mainstream insurance if the resident supplies the appropriate information for reimbursement. In the case of a holistic facility, the resident may have to foot a large bill on their own.
There are some concerns from a medical standpoint about Ayurvedic medicine according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a division of the National Institutes of Health. The concerns have to do with the following:
- Lack of firm evidence that the practice is effective
- Drug interactions and the effects of herbal remedies
- Lack of understanding as to which ingredients in a formulation of herbal medication truly have an effect on the body as there are few regulations as to the makeup of alternative medicines
- A lack of either Western or Indian scientific research relating the toxicity of some ingredients used and ingested by those seeking treatment
In the United States, with the exception of acupuncture providers, there is no federal mandate for licensing of practitioners in the use of alternative and complementary medicine. Some states do mandate registration or other credentials, and some do not. It is important, when choosing a holistic treatment facility, that you investigate the training and background of the professionals to ensure that you will be receiving the best possible care.
Finding Holistic Treatment
If you are interested in learning more about holistic programs used to treat addiction, contact us today. We can connect you with a holistic addiction treatment program that is a good fit for your specific situation. We are also here 24 hours a day to answer any questions you may have about addiction or holistic treatment.