Addiction Treatment and therapy has evolved over the last several years. It continues to include the components that have been proven to be effective, such as individual counseling, didactic group therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and group counseling, but it has also seen the value of including more unique, holistic therapies as part of addiction treatment.

How Are Holistic Therapies Helpful In Treatment?

While standard treatment modalities are effective and have helped thousands of people get sober, they sometimes fall short when it comes to bringing about the long-lasting change that is necessary for true recovery. This is particularly true for addicts who have experienced trauma or who suffer from co-occurring disorders such as anxiety, Depression, or other issues.

True recovery isn’t just about not using drugs or alcohol, it is about restoring something that has been lost. For newly recovering addicts, one of the many things that has been lost is balance, mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. Addiction depletes the body, weakening it. It also depletes the mind. Women who use may enter treatment with cognitive deficits, memory loss and other mental issues as a result of addiction. Addiction is emotionally draining, as well

Holistic treatments allow for deeper levels of healing, physically, mentally and spiritually. This is important for overall well-being, and these healing therapies only serve to complement other treatments. Here are some examples of holistic treatments for women’s addiction:

Yoga

How does yoga help? Yoga has been shown to provide numerous physical benefits to those who practice it for even a short time each day. Improved flexibility and balance, increased strength and stamina and a reduction in aches and pains are some of the physical advantages to yoga. The mental benefits are significant. Yoga promotes reduced stress, relaxation and elevates mood. It has been shown to help people who suffer from depression, anxiety, attention deficit disorder and Alzheimer’s.

Art Therapy

For women who have experienced trauma, or who have difficulty expressing themselves verbally, art therapy provides a therapeutic outlet to help deal with painful feelings in a non-confrontational manner.

Nutrition Therapy

The body and mind are connected, so when the body is healthy, the mind reaps the benefits of this, too. Some of the issues that women in early treatment may be experiencing include extreme fatigue and lack of energy, insomnia, difficulty focusing, “brain fog”, muscle weakness, restlessness and a weakened immune system. Many of these issues are directly related to lack of proper nutrition. Physical depletion as a result of malnutrition is common. It takes the body time to heal after a long battle with addiction, and nutrition therapy can help speed that process. Consuming healthy, nutritious foods and learning how to select and prepare those foods can help not only restore physical health in the short term, but also ensure vibrant health in the long term.

When you feel better physically, you will naturally feel better mentally.  

Acupuncture

When people think of acupuncture, they most often think of it as alternative medicine that can help with things like back pain or other physical ailments. But, acupuncture also shows great promise in alleviating depression and anxiety.

Although psychiatric medication is beneficial and effective for many people, science, psychology and medicine are looking toward drug-free ways to combat mental illness and its symptoms. Acupuncture has been shown in studies to work as good as prozac in treating depression.

This is good news for addicts in recovery who are looking for natural ways to treat depression, insomnia and anxiety. These are common issues that addicts face and are a common cause of relapse, as drugs and alcohol are often used as a form of self-medication.

Massage Therapy

Massage is more than an indulgent spa treatment. Massage offers real health benefits and is an important part of holistic treatment. Massage not only alleviates pain and stiffness, it also improves circulation, helps detoxify the body, improves the digestive system, boosts immune systems, and helps the quality of sleep.

In addition, massage therapy reduces stress and anxiety, alleviates depression, elevates mood and promotes trust and self-acceptance.

These are just a few examples of unique women’s addiction therapies that treatment centers are including in their services. Holistic therapy can enhance the effectiveness of counseling and therapy and help teach valuable self-care skills for women who are in treatment.

If you are a woman struggling with substance abuse, New River Wellness Center can help. Our program is set in a safe, accepting environment and we serve women with addiction, PTSD and eating disorders. In addition, our dual diagnosis treatment provides care for women with other co-occurring disorders such as depression and anxiety. Call 1-877-697-3268 today to schedule a free, confidential consultation.

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