Types of Holistic Therapy for Addiction Treatment
Addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders disrupt several aspects of a person’s health and well-being. For instance, their physical health and ability to manage stress will suffer as a result. Then, a person gets caught in a cycle of poor health and bad habits that traditional therapies don’t address. That is why Harmony Place offers different types of holistic treatment options for addiction and mental health.
At our addiction treatment center in Los Angeles, California, we know that treatment is not “one-size-fits-all.” Clients need options to build individualized plans for successful outcomes in recovery. Holistic approaches help clients find a path to wellness that works for them.
What is Holistic Treatment?
Holistic treatment for addiction includes the whole person in recovery. This means that treatment plans focus on multiple dimensions of health and well-being. Thus, a holistic addiction treatment plan considers a person’s mental, emotional, social, physical, and spiritual wellness.
Many types of holistic treatment are helpful during detox and ongoing recovery. These treatments can help clients in some of the following ways:
- Alleviate withdrawal symptoms during detox
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Improved sleep and appetite
- Help to manage cravings for drugs and alcohol
- Learn new ways of coping with daily stressors
- Introduce clients to healthy social activities and interests
- Overall improved health and wellness
In addition, many holistic therapies are informal treatments that clients can use in their daily lives for self-care. For example, after treatment, clients can continue to practice meditation daily to reduce stress or take a yoga class in their community.
At Harmony Place, we offer holistic treatment options for addiction as well as co-occurring mental health disorders. Along with traditional treatments like talk therapy, support groups, family therapy, and life skills training, our clients benefit by including holistic therapies in their treatment plans.
How Massage Therapy Helps Addiction and Withdrawal
Massage therapy helps treat withdrawal symptoms from addiction related to stress. Many people in detox and other addiction treatment programs once used drugs and alcohol to cope with stress. Thus, without drugs and alcohol, they might feel increased stress after they stop using and go through withdrawal.
In addition, massage therapy can help clients manage ongoing daily stressors throughout recovery. Clients can continue to see a professional massage therapist after treatment. They can also practice self-massage techniques, like rubbing pressure points at the base of the neck. These coping skills can help manage cravings for drugs and alcohol as well.
Aromatherapy for Stress Relief
Aromatherapy is another type of stress relief during holistic addiction treatment. During aromatherapy, essential oils from flowers, herbs, or trees are diffused into the air so that clients can inhale the scents. Other times, massage therapists use essential oils during sessions. The oils are rubbed into the skin as they release their healing scents.
The sense of smell is powerful and can trigger a host of feelings and emotions. Aromatherapy takes advantage of this by using scents that trigger relaxation and positive feelings. For example, lavender reduces stress while citrus scents provide energy. Earthy scents like patchouli can ground someone and bring them a centered feeling. The benefits can include reduced stress, decreased bodily pain, and improved sleep.
Yoga and Meditation
Yoga and meditation are 2 types of holistic treatment offered at Harmony Place. While similar, there are some differences between them. This practice also involves maintaining certain bodily poses while breathing mindfully. During yoga, an instructor leads clients through a series of poses and ensures that they are safe throughout the class.
Meditation, on the other hand, is a static practice that can be completed while sitting or lying down in a relaxed position. In meditation, clients focus on their breathing as they let their thoughts pass in and out of their awareness. Meditation takes practice and clients are encouraged to start small. But even just a few minutes a day can make a big difference.
Yoga and meditation help clients reduce stress as well as focus on their bodies or breathing instead of their thoughts. Oftentimes, clients struggle to focus during recovery due to negative thinking loops. By focusing on breathing and holding poses, clients get out of their own heads to break the pattern of unhelpful thoughts.
Nutrition
According to MedlinePlus, “[p]roper nutrition can help the healing process” during recovery. It is essential to lead a healthy lifestyle. Many people in recovery have engaged in poor eating habits throughout their addiction. For instance, drugs like stimulants can suppress a person’s appetite. This can lead to malnourishment. Conversely, alcohol and marijuana can trigger cravings for junk foods with high calories.
Poor eating habits, like over- or under-eating, can leave a person feeling sluggish, irritable, or distracted. Learning healthy eating habits can improve a person’s outcomes during addiction treatment. With proper nutrition, clients can feel more energized and focused. Furthermore, they could start to feel healthy physically, which will contribute to their mental wellness.
Find Hope for Recovery Today at Harmony Place
At Harmony Place, we provide an array of holistic treatments for individuals undergoing detox and rehabilitation for addiction. These therapeutic practices equip our clients with novel strategies for managing daily stress and potential relapse triggers beyond the confines of a structured treatment environment. Furthermore, they assist in cultivating healthy activities to supplant detrimental habits and behaviors.
In an effort to make our services more accessible, Harmony Place accepts health insurance from several providers. This includes Anthem Blue Cross rehab, Aetna, Cigna, Blue Shield of CA, Carelon, and Humana. Our aim is to mitigate the financial burden often associated with treatment, enabling you to concentrate fully on your journey towards recovery.
Contact Harmony Place in Los Angeles, California, today to learn more about our comprehensive addiction and mental health treatment.