Utilizing holistic treatment therapies to ease withdrawal symptoms can help during rehab and recovery alongside evidence-based treatments. Many people are reluctant to start a drug or alcohol rehabilitation program, because they don’t want to deal with uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.
When you first quit using substances, the body undergoes a withdrawal period, including physical and psychological symptoms. The physical effects of withdrawal typically decrease or stop in a week or two, but the psychological symptoms can continue for many months.
Fortunately, there are effective ways to ease the psychological symptoms of withdrawal. Therapy and medication can help tremendously, and so can holistic practices. This is why many experts recommend choosing a holistic treatment center that offers alternative therapies in conjunction with evidence-based therapies.
What is the Holistic Therapies Approach?
Holistic drug rehab treats the whole person – mind, body and spirit. Before holistic practices became a thing, rehab facilities primarily treated the physical aspects of addiction. The problem was that once patients finished rehab and returned to the real world, most immediately picked up their old habits. That’s because the underlying causes of the addiction were never addressed.
Today, many treatment centers in California offer alternative, holistic therapies to ease withdrawal symptoms and complement evidence-based treatments. Offering both types of care gives people in recovery more ways to treat their condition and maintain long-term sobriety. Practices like meditation, yoga and mindfulness are all healthy coping strategies that support a balanced mind, body and spirit.
Importance of Alternative, Holistic Therapies in Recovery
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, between 40 and 60 percent of people with a substance use disorder will relapse after completing treatment. There are many relapse triggers, and stress is one of them.
When you begin the recovery journey, your brain recalibrates, and your body tries to heal. You will likely deal with uncomfortable symptoms and side effects for a while. However, this is all happening at a time when you probably don’t have much tolerance to stress. You’re learning how to deal with the stress of recovery, and it might seem like drugs or alcohol are the only answer. But they are not, and the relief they provide is temporary. If you relapse, it starts the cycle again.
That is where holistic therapies come into the picture. They can help you deal with stress, alleviate psychological withdrawal symptoms, and support healthy living.
Examples of HolisticTherapies for Withdrawal Symptoms
Holistic practices are best used alongside evidence-based therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy or dialectical behavior therapy. Here are some examples:
- Acupuncture. Acupuncture provides relief from chronic pain and withdrawal symptoms, and promotes mental clarity. It works by inserting needles into the skin at specific points in the body.
- Yoga. Yoga is a spiritual practice that combines meditation, breathing exercises and body positioning. It helps ease your mind and focus on the present moment. It also gives you a natural high from the feel-good endorphins being released.
- Meditation. With meditation, you’re able to detach yourself from stress and be more connected to yourself. Everyone meditates differently, so you’ll have to do some trial and error to find what works for you.
Awakenings Treatment Center is a holistic drug rehab in Agoura Hills. We offer a wide range of holistic treatments, such as acupuncture, chiropractic care, massage therapy, qigong, reiki, shiatsu, yoga and more. Our goal is to present our clients with as many alternative therapies as possible, so they can find what works for them. Contact our admissions team to learn more!
