Organic-Friendly Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers

Addiction rehabilitation comes in countless forms to address the wide variety of needs and treatment goals of Americans with substance use disorders (SUDs).

Recently, the U.S. has seen an increase in the demand for alcohol and drug rehab programs that are organic-friendly. Choosing organic treatment methods and ways of living during recovery can reap many health benefits and may aid in recovery.

Keep reading to learn more about organic-friendly rehab including benefits, types of treatment, and what to expect.

Organic-friendly rehab centers are treatment facilities that focus on the use of organic foods, products, and treatments to address addiction. Organic offerings are those that are produced without artificial agents such as pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and chemical fertilizers.

Often, organic foods and products are used in holistic rehab centers that focus on more natural, homeopathic treatment methods. Holistic care focuses on treating the person as a whole rather than just their addiction, which can include starting with a healthy, organic diet.

Because organic products avoid the use of artificial agents that can have negative health consequences, using them in addiction rehab can have many benefits and help improve the overall health of program participants. This can make recovery a smoother process.

In an organic-friendly rehab center, you may consume an all-organic diet, have access to organic products, and be treated with more natural, holistic treatment methods.

There are many benefits to organic living, and thus, organic addiction rehab approaches. These can include physical benefits, psychological benefits, and even environmental benefits.

Organic foods and products are associated with countless health benefits. Simply put, organic products are less likely to expose you to potentially toxic and hazardous chemicals in comparison to non-organic items.

In addition to reduced exposure organic foods are likely to be higher in nutrients like magnesium, vitamin C, phosphorus, iron, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids. They may also have lower levels of toxic metals like cadmium and are less likely to be contaminated with bacteria. Because organic foods are not treated with antibiotics, they can also help reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance.

Another way organic products can benefit your health during treatment is psychologically. Knowing that your treatment is organic and holistic can help reduce stress and offer peace of mind during this challenging time.

Finally, organic products in rehab treatment have a positive impact on the environment and sustainability efforts. Organic products and farming methods are much more sustainable in comparison to traditional methods.

This is for a few reasons. For one, organic farming uses less energy and creates lower levels of carbon emissions and greenhouse gasses, which contribute to global warming. Other environmental benefits include reduced soil and water pollution. Healthy soil used in organic farming also removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere at higher rates than unhealthy soil used in traditional farming.

By providing organic food and products in addiction rehab, treatment facilities are able to offer unique individual benefits as well as benefits for the general public.

Sticking to an organic diet during addiction rehab can be immensely helpful. This is because having good nutrition is vital for recovery and can help speed along the process.

When you abuse addictive substances, it takes a toll on your body both physically and mentally. Aside from the damage alcohol and drugs can do to your bodily systems themselves, they can also deplete your body of vitamins and minerals that are essential for day-to-day functions. Some nutrient deficiencies can even affect your mental health.

That being said, making an effort to eat a high-nutrient diet during recovery can help repair the damage done by long-term substance abuse and create a healthier foundation for recovery and sobriety. One of the best ways to do this is by eating an organic diet. As mentioned above, organic foods are often higher in nutrients and are less likely to expose you to toxic chemicals, metals, and bacteria that can hinder your overall health.

Some mental health conditions can also be improved by correcting vitamin deficiencies. Though organic food cannot treat addiction itself, it can improve your general well-being which can foster a more welcoming environment for treating addiction.

Amenities differ between rehab facilities, but those that offer organic-based treatment may offer personalized organic meal plans. This can entail regular nutritional assessments to determine what nutrients you may be depleted of. Individual meal plans can help make rehab care more catered to the individual, increasing the efficacy and likelihood of long-term recovery.

There are many treatments and therapies used in addiction recovery. Let’s take a look at those that are used in organic rehab centers.

Detoxification from addictive substances, like alcohol or opioids, is the process of removing toxins from your body. It can be a challenging and dangerous process to tackle on your own, which is why detox services are so important and offered at most rehab centers.

Typical detox services help make detoxing safer and more comfortable by administering necessary treatments and medications while monitoring your vitals. Organic and natural detox methods focus on the same goals but lean toward organic and holistic products to make the process more comfortable. This can include using herbal remedies, focusing on proper nutrition, and replenishing nutrients.

As mentioned previously, it’s common for organic products to be used in holistic treatment programs. Holistic therapies often involve more natural treatment methods that prioritize health and nutrition.

Holistic therapies that may use organic products can include aromatherapy, homeopathic supplements, and herbal remedies. By using organic essential oils, supplements, and herbs, holistic therapies can also reap the benefits of organic treatment approaches.

Alternative therapies, which use non-traditional methods to help treat addiction, also help integrate organic principles into the recovery process.

Alternative therapies come in many forms but some common examples include art therapy, music therapy, yoga, acupuncture, acupressure, meditation, animal therapy, and more.

Because these treatment methods do not involve the use of chemicals or artificial agents, they are inherently organic practices. Additionally, they focus on more natural, holistic approaches that support the underlying theme of health and wellness in organic rehab.

While organic-friendly treatment centers focus on organic-based care, they often use evidence-based, traditional treatment modalities to deliver these organic practices. These include inpatient and outpatient care, dual diagnosis treatment, and aftercare services.

Most treatment centers offer inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation programs. They are both effective in treating addiction but offer different benefits.

Inpatient rehab is considered the highest level of care in addiction rehab because it provides round-the-clock care and supervision. It is sometimes referred to as residential treatment. Those enrolled in residential programs are required to live in the rehabilitation center for the duration of the treatment program. Inpatient care can involve treatment options such as group therapy, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and individual counseling.

Outpatient programs offer similar treatment services but don’t require participants to live outside of their homes. Instead, outpatient participants travel to a treatment center on specific days of the week to receive treatment. Outpatient care is often used as a step down from inpatient care, but some people start in outpatient variations such as partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) or intensive outpatient programs (IOPs).

Substance abuse and addiction commonly occur alongside certain mental health conditions, which are known as co-occurring disorders. Co-occurring disorders can cause addiction, be a symptom of addiction, or worsen addiction.

Common mental health disorders associated with SUD are anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Because these are so common in people with addiction, many programs offer dual diagnosis treatment which treats addiction and mental health problems simultaneously.

One of the most popular ways to treat co-occurring disorders is via behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapies focus on improving behavioral health by altering behaviors, thought patterns, and coping mechanisms that exacerbate your condition and addiction. The idea is to learn healthy coping strategies and how to feel safe in your emotions.

After completing substance abuse treatment, many people choose to participate in aftercare or continuing care services. These are essentially treatment services you continue after your alcohol and drug treatment program to smooth the transition back to your daily routine.

Aftercare looks different for everyone but is intended to help with the stresses and triggers of your normal routine. This can include regular therapy sessions, moving into sober living facilities, participating in alternative therapies, taking on new hobbies, or joining a support group.

It’s also important to receive relapse prevention education. Learning how to identify a relapse as well as prevent relapse can make all the difference in recovery.

While organic-friendly drug and alcohol addiction treatment programs have many benefits for individuals and the planet, they are not always easy to implement. This is because recovery centers can face several obstacles when trying to establish organic care practices.

One of the biggest obstacles is trying to source reliable organic suppliers. It can be difficult to find suppliers of organic foods, products, and treatments that are capable of providing the volume of product treatment centers need at the frequency they need.

On a similar note, organic labels are not always authentic. Many products are labeled as organic but do not meet the standards required to be labeled as such. Though there are systems put in place to prevent inauthentic organic products, some slip through the cracks. That being said, it can take additional time and effort to ensure the products a center purchases for treatment are actually organic.

Organic foods and products also often come at a much higher price point in comparison to regular foods and products. As a result, it can be challenging to generate the revenue needed to purchase all organic materials. Even then, it can be hard to make sure they are quality products in spite of the high price.

Lastly, organic treatment methods sometimes require additional staff training. More holistic practices can call for the support of different healthcare professionals as well. Consequently, organic recovery programs may have to spend more time training staff and making sure they can provide the care offered.

If organic-friendly treatment programs are the right fit for you, you may be wondering how to find and choose the right one. Finding a rehab center in general can be overwhelming, but there are a few ways you can narrow down your options and make an educated choice.

One of the best ways to make sure a care center is reliable and offers high-quality care is by looking for facilities with certifications, accreditations, and staff expertise. For organic rehab centers, this can include looking for facilities with staff who specialize in holistic and homeopathic treatment methods. Accreditations you may want to look out for include Joint Commission accreditation and Commission of Accreditation on Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accreditation.

Additionally, you may want to explore facility standards for organic care including where they source their products and how they incorporate organic practices into their care.

On a similar note, we recommend visiting potential treatment centers in person to get a better understanding of the facility and understanding their organic practices. One way to explore these topics is by asking questions.

Here are a few to get you started:

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

In addition to asking questions, you may want to explore client reviews and testimonials online to get a better idea of what the patient experience is like. Reviews may be able to give you insight into how patients are actually cared for.

Each treatment center differs in how they care for their patients and develop treatment plans. However, many choose to create individualized care plans to address the unique needs and goals of each patient.

In standard inpatient treatment programs, it’s common to have a pretty regimented schedule each day of the week. This is typically packed with different treatment methods including group counseling, individual therapy, alternative therapies, and more, with downtime built in to use at your discretion. The idea is to create a regular schedule and healthy habits.

Many rehabilitation facilities also offer amenities, which differ from center to center. In organic-friendly rehab programs, these may include support services such as nutrition counseling, organic cooking classes, and nutrition education.

These services can help you learn about the importance of health and wellness and how it can aid you in your recovery. One of the best ways to avoid relapse following addiction treatment is by taking up new, healthy hobbies and habits that help you cope with stress and triggers. For some, cooking and eating healthy can fill this role.

Organic-friendly addiction care is a special kind of rehab that focuses on the use of foods, products, and treatments that are made without artificial agents. It can have many physical and mental health benefits and can help combat environmental damage.

Have more questions about organic-friendly treatment for you or a loved one? Give our helpline a call for additional guidance today.