Holistic Healing For Addiction: 5 Crucial Aspects Of Well Being Drug Treatment Must Address

Addiction is a monster that takes different forms for different people, and it's usually much more complex than a person simply being hooked on a substance. For many, it's about internal turmoil, from one source or another, obstructing the person's path to a normal and healthy existence. When someone can't cope with the stress of life, when they don't feel as if they deserve a normal life, or when they're haunted by a violent or uncaring past, drugs are a powerful escape option. Removing the drug doesn't solve any of the underlying problems, making it very likely that the person would turn back to it, unfortunately. In circumstances such as these, a whole-person approach to healing, or, holistic treatment, is much more effective than traditional rehab. Here are a few reasons why:

1. Holistic Treatment Focuses On Emotional Balance

Often, emotional upset creates the urge that feeds addiction. Anyone in emotional upheaval, with no other source of relief, turns to drugs or alcohol as their only remedy. Holistic treatment has a strong focus on the emotional balance and well being of a person, off-setting that strong desire to self-medicate.

2. It Addresses The Spiritual Side Of A Person

While not everyone is religious, most people have a spiritual side. They have a soul inside of them that asks questions like, "What did I do to deserve this?" and, "What is my purpose in life?". These important queries can fuel fear, anxiety, and other obstacles, especially in people who've gone through any type of abuse. Holistic healing will address these concerns.

3. Holistic Drug Treatment Addresses The Toxicity Of The Environment

Physical toxins in the environment, from pesticides in oatmeal to hormones in dairy, can have an effect on the mind and body. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are thought to be a possible precursor to different challenges in life, such as ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), autism, anxiety, depression, and even early puberty. The holistic healer understands the potential volatility of the environment and addresses it.

4. It Encompasses Nutrition, Which Is, Ultimately, A Form Of Medicine

Food is, in many ways, medicine. It fuels the body and runs the mind; however, if all a person is eating is food that is counterproductive to a healthy being, this can greatly compromise drug addiction treatment (of any kind). Impurities, nutritional deficiencies and, possibly, allergies may all be contributing to the imbalances and struggles of a person, complicating their addiction treatment even further.

5. Holistic Healing Attempts To Naturally Handle The Agonizing Symptoms Of Withdrawal

In many cities in America, addicts are treated at clinics that offer methadone as a means of becoming drug-free. Unfortunately, too many people become addicted to the "treatment", without ever actually healing. Withdrawal is a serious side-effect of drug abuse and must be remedied in a straightforward and effective way. The holistic approach offers many avenues to wellness, from start (admitting the addiction) to finish (sobriety):

• Yoga, Reiki, and meditation
• Acupuncture, acupressure, and massage 
• Bio and neurofeedback
• Herbal and nutritional education
• Counseling and more

Holistic healing has been in practice for a long time, and it addresses many problems, both physical and mental. It can be especially poignant for an addict who feels alone and hopeless in the world.

Whether a person has tried other forms of drug treatment without success, or they simply wish to approach the problem in a more natural, all-encompassing way, holistic treatment is an effective form of help. Even before addiction is resolved, the needs, experiences, and emotional wellness of a person must be addressed, or the person risks returning to the substance they used as an escape mechanism, once they're off of it. Ending this catch-22 situation of drug- and self-abuse must begin with the whole person, their whole body, and the entirety of their emotional history.

To learn more about abuse recovery, contact a holistic drug treatment center in your area.