Holistic Addiction Treatment
The word “holistic” has been a buzz word in the health and wellness fields for years. When some people hear this word, they may think of shaggy gurus using obscure natural remedies or New Age techniques from ancient Eastern cultures.
A quick search through the internet will reveal all kinds of sensational claims about treating physical and mental illnesses. After scrolling through some websites, you may be wondering something like, “How can someone use an herb found at the top of a far-off mountain to help me with addiction?”
Holistic addiction treatment is not about simple fixes. In fact, it involves guidance from professionals trained in specific types of therapy. It is often used in conjunction with more traditional approaches to addiction treatment like cognitive behavior therapy or dialectical behavior therapy.
To understand this therapy, it’s important to know what the term holistic actually means. By definition, it refers to treating the whole person rather than just the symptoms or diagnosis of a disease. Within the context of this therapy, you are not viewed as an addict, but as a person needing to restore your physical, mental, and spiritual balance.
The holistic approach is based on your strengths, needs, preferences, and personal beliefs. It seeks to positively change the way you view yourself and the world around you which allows you to be better equipped to deal with struggles associated with addiction. Some of these therapies make a person more aware of the connection between their mind, body, and soul. Others use engaging activities to teach necessary skills for a lasting sobriety.
One important note is that although these treatments emphasize, in part, the healing of the soul or spirit, it is not necessary to be religious or to literally believe in a soul to benefit from these approaches. The soul component of holistic health can simply be thought of as your emotional wellbeing. People who are religious or spiritual are welcome to view this component in the traditional religious sense, but this therapy is available to everyone regardless of their beliefs.