Holistic therapy is an integrative treatment modality used in rehabilitation to complement traditional approaches. There are several types of holistic therapies, and professionals often refer to them as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). According to the BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine journal in 2007, many holistic proponents believe the body can intuitively heal itself with the proper tools, and certain CAM treatments are viewed as tools to initiate the healing process. While the nature of these therapies often limits clinical efficacy testing, a significant number of diverse holistic therapies provide additional treatment options that may produce more positive outcomes.
Holistic Therapies for Addiction
Bond University in Australia published a CAM summary paper in 2005, and it categorized the various types of holistic therapy, which included the following:
- Bodywork such as acupressure, chiropractic, osteopathy, therapeutic massage, reflexology, tai chi, yoga and the muscle tension therapy Alexander technique
- Dietary and herbal remedies that include supplements, herbs, macrobiotics, naturopathy, Bach flower remedies and traditional Chinese medicine (e.g., acupuncture)
- Biological treatments like colon detox, oxygen therapies and medically approved chelation therapies
- Mind and body therapies such as hypnosis, meditation, biofeedback and relaxation exercises
While holistic therapies may differ widely, most promote similar ideas like spirituality, individuality and the interconnectedness of the mind and body.
Holistic Expressive Therapies
Another complementary treatment is expressive therapy, which uses the creative arts to promote healing. These therapies can involve art, dance, music, writing and drama, and they may provide benefits for addicts who do not respond well to traditional modalities. Several studies have documented the therapeutic benefits including the following:
- Journal of Psychoactive Drugs argued in 2003 that these therapies help recovering addicts develop a stronger sense of self-esteem, self-identity and self-confidence.
- American Journal of Public Health suggested in 2003 that therapeutic drum circles help patients release emotional trauma and create a sense of connectedness with others.
- The Arts in Psychotherapy journal published a study in 2007 that found dance therapies help alleviate symptoms of depression.
Other complementary approaches include adventure and equine-assisted therapies among others.
Efficacy of Holistic Treatments
Do these holistic therapies work? As explained by Psychology Today in 2013, there is a lack of randomized clinical trials on the matter, and many medical professionals deny their efficacy. Some studies, however, demonstrated positive benefits. In 2003 The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse published a survey of intravenous drug users who used CAM treatments, and there were several key findings including the following:
- Forty-five percent of the participants utilized at least one holistic therapy.
- Higher education and lower self-rated health were the strongest predictors of use.
- Religious healing, relaxation techniques and meditation were the most used therapies.
- The average rating of self-perceived effectiveness was 4.1 on a scale of 1 to 5.
People using holistic therapies typically believe they help, and even if it is a placebo effect, studies show that a positive outlook helps recovery. Providing an authoritative opinion on the matter, however, the 2013 book Holistic Rehab Therapies got the opinion of Westley Clark, director of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Dr. Clark stated, “Many evidenced-based programs which take a holistic approach to treatment may incorporate aspects of alternative or spiritual healing. These approaches may also be helpful so long as they are used as adjuncts to evidenced-based practices.”
Holistic Pain Management
Pain management for recovering addicts is one area in which holistic therapies are particularly helpful. The aforementioned BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine journal article published findings on holistic therapies and pain management including the following:
- Ninety percent of the respondents said massage therapy helped reduce their pain.
- Eighty-one percent of those surveyed also cited chiropractic treatment and yoga as effective.
- Massage (27%), chiropractic (18%), acupuncture (8%) and yoga (6%) were utilized most.
- CAM users were mostly women (79%) with an average age of 47 years old.
Therapeutic alternatives to opioid painkillers include alternating hot-cold applications, hydrotherapy, targeted exercise, stabilizers, physical therapy, anesthetic steroid injections and many of the holistic therapies listed above like yoga and acupressure.
Traditional Addiction Treatments
Most rehabilitation centers offer a wide variety of holistic options, but they should complement and not replace traditional treatment methods. There are several traditional therapies commonly used including the following:
- Substance detox as needed under medical supervision
- Behavioral therapies to adjust maladaptive thought patterns
- Counseling to identify and counteract substance abuse triggers
- Integrated treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders
- Group therapy to talk about experiences and recovery strategies
Holistic therapies can also play a positive role in ongoing aftercare services, which should also include finding a recovery sponsor and participating in a local recovery group.
Rehabilitation Help
Do you have questions about holistic and traditional treatment? Our admissions coordinators have the answers, and they are available 24 hours a day on our toll-free helpline. We can explain the many options for rehabilitation and identify which facilities offer specific holistic therapies. We can also check your health insurance plan for treatment benefits including coverage for specific therapies and which facilities are in your insurance network. We are ready to help, so please call now.
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