In the recovery community, we’ve all heard the stories of those who go in and out of treatment centers without gaining lasting sobriety.
If you or a loved one have tried many different treatment methods for addiction and none of them have been effective, it can be extremely frustrating. Even when treatment is successful, relapse is always a lingering possibility.
As much as 40 to 60 percent of those who received treatment for an addiction relapse within a year. And then you’re back to square one: finding another treatment center and method.
Finding the right treatment method for a substance use disorder can be challenging. It can be hard to know where to start. The first step is to understand the different methods to gain more clarity on which one is right for you or a loved one.
Addiction treatment is not one size fits all. What works for one may not work for another.
The traditional model of recovery might not always work. Many can benefit from a treatment that goes beyond substance use treatment alone. This is where holistic treatment comes into play.
How to Incorporate the Whole Body in Treatment
A holistic approach is a whole person method. This means that all parts of the person are taken into consideration during treatment. This includes their physical and mental health, skills, relationships, pastimes, and habits.
Depending on the individual, the traditional treatment for addiction is supplemented to treat mental and physical needs.
For example, yoga, meditation, and art/creativity are helpful to one’s mental health. Meanwhile, exercise, life skills training, and nutritional education all benefit physical health.
These are just some of the things we incorporate into our holistic treatment here at Denver Recovery Center.
All of our techniques are tailored to the individual. For example, if a patient previously used substances to cope with stress, this habit can be replaced with yoga or exercise.
Changing and replacing people’s habits is very helpful to end the ones that led to addiction.
Your Treatment is Unique, Just Like You
Here at Denver Recovery Center, you won’t be given the same course of treatment as everyone else.
Your treatment is uniquely curated. Our staff starts by understanding what makes you use substances. This includes, among other things, using your strengths, struggles, and goals to develop a unique program just for you.
We don’t prescribe to one method alone. Depending on the individual, we use combinations of substance use treatment, holistic treatment, and evidence-based therapy.
Putting it all Together
While using a holistic approach, there are many additional therapies that we incorporate into treatment. These therapies help with the mental component of holistic treatment.
The evidence-based therapies we use include:
- Family therapy: While the therapeutic technique differs, family therapy incorporates a patient’s family and friends. This helps to improve communication and resolve any issues within a patient’s support network.
- Group therapy: realizing you aren’t alone is an important part of recovery. It increases support and acceptance for patients struggling with addiction. Patients get more perspective and tips around staying sober, among other things.
- Outdoor therapy: Nature can be therapeutic. Connecting to the outdoors can help to break down thought patterns associated with addiction. This therapy is uniquely tailored to the individual and incorporates activities that will be particularly helpful to each person.
- Individual counseling: This refers to various therapeutics techniques that are administered individually and consist of one-on-one interaction between a psychotherapist and a patient. Many of those struggling with addiction also have a mental illness, which is referred to as a dual diagnosis or co-occurring condition. Individual counseling can help the patient open up and learn new ways to cope.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This therapy is based on patients’ thought patterns. This kind of therapy is highly individualized and aims to change thought patterns and feelings that lead to behaviors such as substance use.
- Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT): This therapy also incorporates the patient’s thoughts and feelings. However, it also involves how the individual interacts with others in their life.
- Experiential Therapy: This therapy focuses on unconscious feelings based on underlying issues. These issues are typically revealed and dealt with through this type of therapy.
Is Holistic Treatment Really Effective?
There is more and more research surrounding the benefits of the elements of holistic treatment.
For example, yoga works wonders to reduce stress, which can be helpful to both depression and anxiety. This is because lower stress levels lower the need to self-medicate.
Mindfulness helps people with substance use disorders because it improves impulse control. You passively acknowledge your thoughts and feelings without acting on them. Whereas in the past, patients may have responded to these thoughts and feelings with substance use.
Art and creative expression allow the patient to have a healthy outlet for their thoughts and feelings.
It’s common to enter holistic treatment when traditional methods weren’t successful. Again, successful treatment depends on individualized programs. Holistic treatment focuses on the individual and their needs, combined with evidence-based therapy.
Holistic treatment also provides important life skills and improves your overall quality of life. These factors help to prevent relapse.
So What Does This Mean for You?
If you or a loved one have tried traditional treatment methods but haven’t found recovery, holistic treatment is a viable method.
Holistic treatment is unique to each person’s goals, struggles, and experiences. Each patient gets a unique program with different combinations of substance use treatment, holistic treatment, and evidence-based therapy.
A holistic approach examines and treats the whole person. This includes treating physical and mental health alongside a substance use disorder.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a holistic approach?
A holistic approach treats the whole person. It incorporates mental and physical health and considers the habits, relationships, skills, and pastimes of patients. It goes beyond just treating the addiction.
What is a holistic facility?
A holistic facility takes a holistic approach for all treatments. Some treatment centers offer holistic methods but are not a purely holistic facility.
What is an example of a holistic approach?
An example of a holistic approach would be making dietary changes and practicing yoga to reduce pain. In the past, a patient may have turned to substance use instead of yoga. The holistic approach aims to change the habits of patients into healthy ones.
If you or a loved one have a substance use disorder and haven’t been able to find a successful treatment method, it’s time to consider a holistic approach to treatment. Discover how treating the whole body along with therapy and substance use disorder treatment can transform the lives of those struggling with addiction. Call Denver Recovery Center at 480-360-6001 to get started on an individualized treatment program today.
