The range of treatments for substance use disorder is wide and varied. From medications to counseling to various forms of therapy to nutrition to exercise and much more, any technique that might heal and enrich has found its way into the world of recovery.
One such technique that is gaining in popularity as a treatment for substance use disorder is holistic therapy. Holistic therapy programs seek to incorporate practices to heal the mind, body, and spirit, such as yoga, meditation, acupuncture, and massage. Below is a guide to some holistic therapy techniques that you might enjoy as part of your own addiction treatment.
If you’re looking for holistic therapy programs in California, reach out to Virtues Behavioral Health at 855.579.8599 to learn more about our options.
What Is Holistic Therapy?
The term “holistic” can be defined as the idea that the study of a system should involve looking at that system as a whole, not just the sum of its parts. Similarly, a holistic approach to therapy aims to heal both the mind and the body. Some forms of holistic therapy even aim for a form of spiritual healing.
Holistic therapy programs for addiction treatment are non-medicinal and are used with other, more traditional treatment programs. They aim to help with some aspects of withdrawal, strengthen the body that has been weakened by substance use, and reduce the stress connected to the rehabilitation process.
Types of Holistic Therapy Used in Addiction Treatment
A number of holistic therapies have been practiced for thousands of years and have proven benefits. As substance use disorder has become better understood over the years, these holistic therapies have found their way into certain treatment programs. Below are a few of the different forms of holistic therapy programs you might enjoy should you choose to seek treatment.
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Nutrition education
- Nutrition therapy
- Exercise programs
- Art therapy
- Nature therapy
- Acupuncture
- Reiki
- Biofeedback and neurofeedback
There are many more forms of therapy that might be considered “holistic.” Still, this list should give you an idea of the sort of programs that might be used to heal your mind, body, and spirit simultaneously if you were to seek out holistic therapy in Los Angeles.
How Does Holistic Therapy Help with Addiction Treatment?
You may be wondering how holistic therapy programs might be helpful in the treatment of addiction specifically. While anything good for your health and can reduce stress should be looked at as a viable component of addiction treatment, there are actually certain aspects of holistic therapy that make it a particularly good fit for treating substance use disorder.
Physical Fitness
Yoga and exercise programs can help the body heal, grow stronger, and produce feel-good chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine, both of which are often severely lacking during rehabilitation.
Reducing Withdrawal Symptoms
Massage and acupuncture can help relieve the aches and pains associated with withdrawal, which can help to make the process a lot more bearable.
Stress Reduction
The process of detoxification and rehabilitation can be intensely stressful. Exercise, yoga, meditation, acupuncture, massage, art and nature therapy, and more can all help to reduce that stress.
Exploring the Underlying Causes of Addiction
Meditation, art and nature therapy, and more can be useful outlets for better understanding the “why” aspect of one’s substance use. Exploring the underlying causes of addiction is perhaps the only way to find your way onto the road to recovery.
Looking for Holistic Therapy in Los Angeles? Virtues Behavioral Health Has the Program for You
Are you looking for a holistic therapy program in California? When you’re ready to begin your road to recovery, contact Virtues Behavioral Health online or call 855.579.8599 today.
