Biophysical Rehab Centers

Biophysical addiction treatment is a non-traditional form of substance abuse treatment that is lesser known but which has one of the highest success rates of any treatment model. Biophysical rehabilitation is also considered a holistic approach to addiction recovery, which can be especially effective when combined with other evidenced-based treatment options and services.

Read on to learn about the benefits of seeking treatment at a biophysical drug and alcohol rehab center and more about what sets this type of treatment apart from other more traditional models.

Biophysical rehabilitation is defined as a type of rehabilitation for people struggling with alcohol or drug abuse that attempts to solve the biological problems of addiction by using physical principles.

Biophysical rehab is a relatively new type of addiction treatment that is gaining in popularity around the United States, with some studies showing it as up to three times as effective as other forms of addiction treatment.

While biophysical rehab and traditional rehab have many things in common, there are also some crucial differences to take note of, including:

• Biophysical rehab uses natural methods of detox whereas traditional rehab centers often use medical detox that involves using medications to ease withdrawal symptoms.
• Biophysical rehab uses natural vitamins and supplements in order to treat addiction, whereas traditional rehab centers often use opioid replacement medications in order to treat addiction.
• Biophysical rehab places a strong focus on exercise and staying physically active, whereas this type of treatment is not always available in traditional rehab centers.
• Biophysical rehab takes a whole-person approach to recovery, focusing on the physical, psychological, and emotional aspects of addiction, whereas many traditional rehab centers focus on the 12-step model for treating addiction.
• Biophysical rehab methods have a strong scientific basis and tend to take a long-term approach.

Biophysical rehab programs often take place over a period of two years or more, ensuring that patients have all of their needs addressed and that they are closely monitored the entire time.

They also typically take place in two phases; the first phase involves detox and achieving sobriety, while the second phase focuses on therapy and other treatments after the patient has already achieved a clear mind.

Several key components define biophysical rehab and set it apart from other types of rehabilitation programs.

These will be discussed further in later sections and include:

• Detoxification and Cleansing Processes – Helping people to get through the withdrawal stage of substance use disorder recovery and achieve sobriety before moving forward.
• Nutritional Therapy and Supplementation – Helping people to get healthy again after detox and to make up for any deficiencies developed through addiction or during detox.
• Physical Exercise and Fitness Programs – Helping people to move, stay active, and focus on their overall health to feel stronger and empowered as they go through treatment.
• Mental and Emotional Wellness Activities – Helping people to address all aspects of their health to avoid relapse and prevent them from turning to drugs or alcohol again in the future.

If you are thinking about biophysical rehab as a recovery program for either yourself or a loved one, consider the many benefits that these types of programs have to offer.

Benefits of biophysical rehab include:

• Enhanced physical health and vitality – Making people feel stronger physically through multiple forms of exercise, movement, stress-relief exercises, and by helping them to maintain a balanced diet.
• Reduction of drug residues and toxins – Through natural methods of detox that allow people to come off drugs or alcohol safely, comfortably, and without the use of additional drugs and medications.
• Improved mental clarity and emotional stability – By taking a whole-person approach to addiction treatment to ensure people have the right coping mechanisms to deal with challenges that come up without drugs or alcohol.
• Long-term sobriety and relapse prevention – Ensuring that those in drug and alcohol treatment are not only able to achieve sobriety, but that they have the right tools to maintain this sobriety long after they have completed treatment.

Since toxins play such a large role in biophysical rehab, it should come as no surprise that detoxification is an important stage in the overall process. During detox, people clear their bodies of all substances while under observation to ensure that they are safe and as comfortable as possible during withdrawal.

With biophysical rehab, detox methods are always natural and do not typically incorporate the use of medications for assistance. This is very different from typical detoxification modalities, which tend to rely heavily on drugs and medications, usually opioid substitution drugs, to treat withdrawal symptoms.

It is important to note, however, that detox from certain drugs, such as alcohol and opioids, can be life-threatening in the case of severe addiction. In these cases, people may be able to access medications during detox if they are determined to be medically necessary.

In biophysical rehab, sauna therapy is the most popular method of detox and is used to rid people of their toxins through heat and sweat. Like other forms of detox, sauna therapy requires close and constant observation, and sessions should be limited to promote well-being and prevent hyperthermia.

At the same time, patients require consistent hydration and nutritional support to compensate for what is lost during sauna detox.

People also experience an increase in heart rate during sauna therapy while burning additional calories, but advocates for biophysical rehab feel that this can be compensated for by maintaining a healthy diet and taking any necessary vitamins and minerals that are recommended.

During and after the process of detox is complete, people taking part in biophysical rehab often need nutritional support and assistance, sometimes in the form of supplementation as well.

Biophysical rehab strongly emphasizes the importance of maintaining balanced nutrition while in recovery. This is especially important because people who are living with a drug or alcohol dependency are also often suffering from malnutrition.

Certain drugs are more harmful than others when it comes to causing malnutrition, and stimulants like cocaine, crack, and methamphetamines are particularly dangerous.

Biophysical rehab often incorporates supplements in the form of vitamins and minerals to help promote the healing process during addiction recovery.

Supplements frequently used in biophysical rehab include:

• Vitamin C
• Zinc
• Magnesium
• Vitamin D
• B-vitamins (B6, B12, and thiamine)
• Omega-3
• Glutamine

Vitamins and minerals play an essential role in the healing process and can help people to heal faster and more effectively, especially if they are dealing with any sort of malnutrition.

In addition to this, they can also help by fighting infection, regulating hormones, improving mental health, and making people generally stronger, which can help significantly with withdrawal symptoms.

Physical exercise and fitness are an integral component of any biophysical alcohol and drug addiction program.

The types of physical activity that people participate in while in biophysical rehab will depend on their individual needs and what they are physically capable of, as well as what is offered at the specific treatment center they attend.

Types of physical activities in biophysical rehab include:

• Walking
• Hiking
• Yoga
• Dance
• Swimming
• Aerobics
• Jogging

Exercise has many benefits for people in recovery that extend far beyond their physical health.

Benefits of exercise for recovering individuals include:

• Can improve both physical health and mental health simultaneously
• Provides a healthy way to spend time to avoid boredom and relapse
• Provides a routine that can help people stay focused
• Can reduce the severity of uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms
• Can help people to remove toxins and detox through sweating
• Empowers people to feel good about themselves and what they are capable of

Everyone who enters a biophysical rehab center is given their own treatment plan, and this extends to their fitness plans as well. This is because not everyone will have the same activity level or capabilities, and what might be beneficial to one person could potentially be harmful to another.

Anyone taking part in a biophysical rehab program must have the opportunity to address their mental wellness and emotional wellness in addition to their physical health.

Practices that help to keep people in the present moment can be very useful in addiction treatment, including mindfulness, meditation, and breathing exercises.

These holistic tools are important in that they can help people observe their thoughts, feel a sense of calmness in their breathing, and cope with their triggers in a healthier manner than turning to drugs or alcohol.

Yoga and other mild physical activities can be a great addition to anyone’s treatment plan, as exercise can relieve stress and allow people to focus on their bodies and their breathing.

Activities like this can be great for both physical health and mental health at the same time, and for addressing any stress-related issues that could lead to a potential relapse.

Art therapy and other forms of alternative or holistic therapy can also be helpful, such as music therapy or animal-assisted therapy.

These therapies allow people to tap into another side of themselves that allows them to be more creative and explore their emotions through other therapeutic means.

Once you have made the choice to seek out a biophysical rehab center, it is important that you choose one that is of high quality and which is a good fit for your needs.

You can start by researching any facilities that you are interested in and ensuring that they possess certain marks of quality care, including:

• Is the facility nationally accredited or do they have other relevant memberships or certifications?
• Does the facility have a positive reputation in the community, such as high ratings and positive testimonials?
• Does the facility use any evidence-based treatments in addition to biophysical treatments?
• Do staff members at the facility have special training or certification in biophysical treatments?
• Does the facility possess proper licensing from the state?

When visiting biophysical addiction treatment centers that you are interested in, it can be beneficial to prepare questions in advance, including:

• How long is a typical program?
• What forms of health insurance do you accept?
• Do you offer any forms of financial assistance?
• What biophysical services do you offer?
• What supplements do you use in your treatment programs?
• What is the success rate of your program?
• Which levels of care do you offer?
• Do you offer any evidence-based treatments in addition to biophysical treatments?
• What types of therapy and counseling do you offer?
• Do you address mental health and behavioral health as well as addiction?

Despite having a high success rate, biophysical rehab is not without its challenges and considerations.

All types of alcohol and drug abuse rehab come with challenges, and this can be especially true with biophysical rehab which is still relatively new and emerging within the field.

Some of the challenges that people face while in rehab are dealing with withdrawal symptoms and triggers, as well as a lack of support system and feelings of complacency or ambivalence.

It is not uncommon for people to feel a certain hesitation or skepticism when it comes to biophysical rehab, especially as it can feel so different from other types of rehab.

To help with this, people should also address any misconceptions or hesitations that they have by educating themselves about the biophysical process so that they are knowledgeable and well-prepared.

For the reasons listed above, it is essential that people who attend this type of rehab program are already open to it and committed to their treatment through it.

This can be easier said than done, but providing a supportive environment both within the rehab facility and at home for those recovering to return to, can help ensure commitment to recovery in both the short-term and long-term.

The following are questions that are commonly asked about biophysical alcohol and drug rehab.

Despite having such a high success rate for patients, biophysical rehab treatment programs are not always easy to find.

If you are looking for biophysical rehab for either yourself or a loved one who is living with a substance addiction, you can contact us at RehabNet.com for assistance.

Not only can we help you find a drug and alcohol abuse rehab near you that offers biophysical rehab, but we can also help you find other types of treatment services or financial assistance to help pay for your treatment – call us today to learn more.