Holistic Drug Treatment

Without strength and health, the temptations back to abuse are increased, and the healing and strengthening of the body causes a corresponding strengthening of the mind and spirit. To enhance the healing of the body, holistic drug rehab facilities will offer a variety of health promoting and strengthening programs.

Exercise

Exercise may be golf, tennis, rock climbing or strength and aerobic training in a health club, the form of exercise is largely immaterial, and as long as the exercise causes a strengthening of the body, increases natural detoxification through sweating, and influences an improved emotional state, it is very beneficial.

Saunas

Saunas and whirlpools can also be employed to accelerate natural detox.

Massage

Massage and acupuncture are both used to promote a relaxation of the muscles and to restore certain bodily balances. Acupuncture can help to reduce the severity of cravings

Nutritional therapy

Most drug addicts enter holistic drug treatment suffering the ravages of abuse, and through appropriate vitamin and mineral rich foods and the supplementation of needed vitamins and minerals, physical healing is accelerated. Drug and alcohol abuse commonly causes nutritional deficiencies, and the positive effects of a restoration of appropriate nutrient levels in the body can be significant; additionally, certain nutritional deficiencies can cause increased cravings for further drug abuse.

Within a holistic drug rehab the use of beneficial yet conventional programs continues, and cognitive therapy, peer group therapy, AA or NA related meetings and individual counseling with a psychologist or addictions professional are all employed. Additionally:

Medication

Pharmacological intervention should only be used when needed, but since dual diagnosis' of addiction and mental health are so prevalent, and as well the process of detoxification and recovery can induce acute sensations of anxiety or depression, the use of certain medications can improve the ability to participate fully in the process of recovery. Pharmacological interventions may also be used to alleviate some of the pains of withdrawal.

Education

Learning empowers the recovering addict, and holistic drug rehab offers addicts classes on the nature of addiction, the damage done to the body through addiction, and recovery strategies.

An awareness of the metaphysical distinction between mind and spirit is a hallmark of holistic drug treatment, and without bettering spiritual pain, there is little hope for eventual abstinence.

Prayer

By using spiritual guidance from a higher power as a way to battle temptation, prayer to a personally defined higher power strengthens addicts away from use or abuse and towards a better way of living. Spiritual guidance has always been incorporated into 12 steps programs, and many holistic treatment programs will incorporate these peer group meetings within a comprehensive programming.

Meditation and reflection

Therapeutic meditation is taught and encouraged as a way to gain self awareness, and as a way to gain a better understanding of the things in life that lead to abuse and unhappiness.

Yoga or martial arts

Although physical in nature, the benefits of discipline and concentration requiring yoga or martial arts occur on the spiritual plane.

We are all comprised distinctly of the physical, the mental and the spiritual, and as such to influence healing, the body, mind and spirit all need individually targeted programming.

Neglecting the interconnected and integrated healing of the person as a whole can lead to an imbalance, and too often this imbalance leads us back to abuse and addiction. Through comprehensive healing of the body, mind and spirit, we become healed and whole. Through programming of the body and the sprit, we are strengthened enough to incorporate the lessons of the mind, and to truly integrate the needed life changes that must occur for addiction recovery.