Holistic Rehab Centers

When it comes to substance addiction treatment, there are countless recovery options you may consider. This can include inpatient and outpatient programs, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), behavioral therapies, and more.

However, some people choose to pursue holistic treatment methods for their addiction recovery. Holistic treatment focuses on using comprehensive approaches to address the physical, mental, and spiritual sides of substance use disorders (SUD).

Read on to learn everything you need to know about holistic recovery programs including types of holistic therapies, benefits of this type of treatment, and more.

Holistic rehabilitation is a comprehensive treatment approach that uses traditional and alternative methods to address addiction (also called dependence). Holistic treatment focuses on an individual’s physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, making it a very personalized recovery method that focuses on the person as a whole.

Addiction can affect every area of your life including your physical and mental health, social life, relationships, and spiritual well-being. That being said, treating the whole person is very important as it helps address all of the consequences of substance abuse. Additionally, addiction is often caused or exacerbated by many factors. Treating a person holistically can help manage all of these factors at once rather than focusing on one cause.

Holistic drug rehab programs are different from traditional rehab programs in a few ways. First, as mentioned above, holistic programs focus on treating the person as a whole. While traditional rehab programs often address physical and mental health, holistic programs are fine-tuned to approach treatment with a comprehensive approach.

Another major difference is the types of treatment services these programs offer. Traditional addiction treatment programs solely focus on evidence-based treatment methods. On the other hand, holistic treatment programs combine traditional and alternative methods for a more well-rounded treatment plan.

Holistic rehab programs are all a little bit different depending on the treatment facility you choose. That being said, there are three main components holistic rehabs focus on: physical health, mental health, and spiritual well-being.

To address physical health, holistic rehab programs focus on healthy habits and behaviors such as fitness, nutrition, exercise, and healthy sleep patterns.

Good nutrition and sleep hygiene can help improve physical health by regulating and supporting regular functions within the body. If someone is experiencing health consequences as a result of substance misuse, nutrition and hygiene can help treat and sometimes reverse these conditions.

In a similar vein, fitness and exercise have countless physical health benefits that can lead to improved overall well-being. They also help establish a routine and release endorphins, both of which can be helpful in addiction recovery.

To address mental health, you may encounter holistic approaches like therapies, counseling, and mindfulness practices.

There are many kinds of therapy used in holistic treatment, some of which are more traditional whereas others are alternative. Many people receive more than one kind of therapy during holistic rehab, depending on their needs.

Counseling can be another great way to address mental health in addiction. Counseling is offered in individual and group settings, both of which focus on sharing your thoughts, experiences, fears, and goals surrounding the recovery process.

Lastly, mindfulness techniques such as breathwork, journaling, or mental “body scans” can be a big part of holistic rehab. These techniques can help treat mental health disorders and support healthier thought patterns.

To address spiritual well-being, holistic treatment programs may focus on techniques like meditation, yoga, or spiritual counseling.

Meditation can help improve an individual’s mental health and also be a great way to support your spiritual needs. Many people find meditation helps them connect with their spirituality, which can be a sense of support during recovery.

Yoga is also a widely used technique to support spiritual health in recovery. Yoga has been shown to be effective in treating mental health conditions as well as addiction.

Some programs may also offer spiritual counseling, during which you can discuss your spiritual needs or concerns with a spiritual counselor.

Holistic therapies use a wide array of techniques and benefits. Some common types of holistic therapies include acupuncture and acupressure, art and music therapy, equine therapy and animal-assisted therapy, and aromatherapy and herbal remedies.

Acupuncture and acupressure are two similar methods derived from traditional Chinese medicine. Acupuncture involves the insertion of very thin needles into specific parts of the body to balance the flow of energy throughout the body.

Likewise, acupressure uses pressure applied by hand or specialized tools to do the same. In addiction treatment, these treatment services have been shown to help ease withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, help regulate sleep and emotions, reduce depression and anxiety, and reduce physical pain.

Art and music therapy are two common types of alternative therapies used in holistic treatment. They have both been shown to be effective in treating substance abuse.

Art therapy uses artistic methods such as drawing, painting, working with clay, or making collages to express thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Art therapists can use an individual’s art to interpret things their client is unable to express verbally, which can lead to unique breakthroughs.

On the other hand, music therapy involves both creating music and listening to music to treat substance addiction. Music has been shown to affect dopamine levels in similar ways to addictive substances, which can help reduce cravings and improve moods.

Other types of alternative therapies you may encounter in a holistic rehab program are equine therapy and animal-assisted therapy.

Equine therapy is a specialized type of therapy that involves interacting with and caring for horses. It focuses on learning how to take care of horses as a therapeutic approach. It can help regulate emotions, reduce stress and anxiety, improve trust and communication, and support wellness.

Animal-assisted therapy is similar but can involve interaction with other animals like dogs, cats, and even birds. In addition to the benefits mentioned above, animal-assisted therapy can also provide comfort, reduce pain, and offer a sense of support during a difficult time.

Aromatherapy and herbal remedies are also commonly used in holistic treatment programs.

Aromatherapy involves the use of scents from essential oils and other products for therapeutic effects. It can improve mental health and support regulated emotions. Many people often pair aromatherapy with meditation, which can be particularly helpful in addiction recovery.

There are also countless herbal remedies your care provider may prescribe for you during your treatment. Herbal remedies can help treat addiction by supporting certain bodily functions, improving mental health, and balancing neurotransmitters and hormones.

Holistic rehab programs have a myriad of benefits, some of which are not offered by traditional rehab programs.

First, holistic treatment offers comprehensive healing and recovery in a way that other treatment programs cannot. Because holistic treatment is focused on the root of a problem rather than the symptoms, it tends to be more personalized and addresses the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of addiction and addiction recovery. Comprehensive healing can promote long-lasting recovery and sobriety.

Like traditional rehab programs, two big benefits of holistic rehab programs are improved physical health and improved mental health. That being said, holistic treatment improves physical and mental health in unique ways. Using the treatment modalities outlined above, many people see a vast improvement in their physical health through routine and habit changes. With alternative therapies, meditation, and breathwork, many people also notice mental clarity and emotional stability that help ground them during recovery.

Finally, holistic treatment programs offer the unique benefit of strengthened spiritual connections and inner peace. With a major focus on spirituality and spiritual well-being throughout recovery, holistic treatment can help people connect with their spirituality. This is a tool that can help support sobriety even after treatment.

Addiction treatment should always be a personalized service as someone’s experience with substance abuse is often very unique to them. That being said, it’s especially important to offer personalized treatment programs in holistic rehabilitation.

Personalized treatment plans can make treatment more effective and more pleasant, and can encourage long-lasting sobriety compared to cookie-cutter treatment plans. You and your care provider should meet prior to treatment to discuss the extent of your addiction, your needs, and what may be worsening or feeding your addiction. From there, you can develop a personalized plan that can be adjusted as time goes on.

It can be difficult to know how you will respond to certain treatment methods, so it’s vital to adjust your treatment approach as needed. Continuous assessment is just as important as initially developing a personalized treatment plan. Throughout recovery, your needs may change or you may decide a specific treatment method does not work for you. You and your care team can discuss what changes may be best going forward.

Before starting a holistic rehab program, you’ll likely need to go through a detoxification (detox) service to help your body process any remaining addictive substances. Detoxification can be a very dangerous process, especially in severe addiction, so it is essential to be under medical supervision during this time.

Traditional detox services focus on making the detox process as comfortable and safe as possible by managing withdrawal symptoms and cravings, monitoring vitals, and administering medications as needed. In a holistic program, you may focus on natural detox methods such as changing your diet and supplementing to ensure high vitamin and mineral consumption.

This can help support your body during detox and withdrawal by balancing any deficiencies you may be experiencing from substance abuse. Of course, holistic detox services still prioritize safety, including stable vitals.

Holistic rehabs may also focus on integrating holistic therapies into the detox process. This can include acupuncture, aromatherapy, meditation, breathwork, or animal-assisted therapy. All of these approaches can help make the detox process more comfortable.

Once you’ve finished a holistic rehab program, it’s important to know how to support your transition back to your day-to-day life. This is typically done via aftercare and relapse prevention.

Aftercare, sometimes called continuing care, is any treatment service you choose to continue after your treatment program. The idea is to help ease the transition and provide a sense of accountability whilst adjusting to your regular routine. This can include therapy, group counseling, or even moving into sober housing temporarily.

On the other hand, relapse prevention involves techniques and strategies to prevent relapse post-treatment. Relapse prevention can look different for everyone, but the idea is to encourage long-lasting sobriety, know how to identify a relapse and know how to cope with stress and triggers that can induce relapse.

Holistic approaches that may be used in relapse prevention include sticking to a regular exercise, nutrition, or sleep routine; practicing meditation, breathwork, or journaling regularly; or participating in alternative therapies like animal-assisted therapy or music therapy.

It’s also vital to have a good support system during your recovery. Whether this is your family, loved ones, friends, or new connections made during treatment, you’ll want a shoulder or two to lean on during this challenging journey. Support systems can also provide a sense of accountability that encourages sobriety. Knowing that you’re not alone during your recovery can make all the difference.

If you’ve decided to pursue holistic rehab, you may be wondering how to choose the right treatment facility for you. There are so many addiction treatment centers out there, so we know that it can be overwhelming to pick one. On top of that, many people also want to make sure they are receiving high-quality treatment from reliable providers.

First and foremost, you’ll want to make sure the recovery center you choose has accreditations, certifications, and experienced staff. Accreditations like Joint Commission accreditation and Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accreditation can be indicators of reputable treatment centers. You can also find information about staff experience online or by asking the treatment center directly. Licensed addiction specialists are great to look out for in your search.

Another way to gauge whether a rehab facility is a good choice is by looking for client reviews and testimonials. You can check Google reviews, Yelp reviews, or testimonials on the rehab center’s website to get an idea of what the patient experience is like at a particular treatment center.

It’s important to consider several other factors when choosing a treatment facility. You’ll want to make sure they offer treatment services that meet your expectations. For example, if you feel as though yoga therapy would be particularly helpful for you, look for facilities that offer that service. You may also want to consider the location of the center in relation to your home, the length of the treatment program they offer, and whether the program is inpatient or outpatient. Some programs even offer amenities, so you may want to consider these as well.

When choosing a rehab center, don’t be afraid to get curious and ask any questions you have.

Here are a few questions you may want to ask potential rehab facilities:

• How long is your treatment program?
• Do you allow pets?
• What are your visitor restrictions?
• Is your program inpatient or outpatient?
• How will my treatment program be developed?
• What do your housing arrangements look like? Will I be sharing a room?
• What certifications and licenses do your staff have?
• What aftercare support do you offer?
• What amenities do you offer?
• What is the cost of your treatment program?
• Do you offer payment plans/scholarships?

Holistic rehabilitation can be a good alternative or addition to traditional rehabilitation as it treats the individual as a whole. There are many benefits to holistic substance abuse treatment including personalized treatment plans and spiritual support.

Have more questions about holistic addiction treatment? Give our helpline a call today for more guidance.