Holistic Addiction Treatment Centers

It’s important to realize that holism does not reject modern medicine, neither is holism the same as naturopathy. Holism is a viewpoint that incorporates many different techniques and theories, based on the individual needs of the client. In that way, holistic treatment for substance abuse and addiction is one of the very most individualized kinds of care available.

What kind of therapy is holism? Holism starts with a standard assessment at the beginning of a client’s care. If addiction detox is needed, it occurs in the center’s medical facility as any other therapy would do. After detox, the assessment period continues with a history being taken. Drug use/abuse triggers are identified. They are considered critical to healing. Holists map out the typical event by event process in which the client abuses drugs. Then, they work with the patient on techniques to use when addiction triggers are about to trip. Each event is considered in terms of what the client is doing, thinking, feeling. Every event in a person’s life can and must be seen in terms of those three pillars.  It is the holist’s job to identify distorted thoughts and feelings and help the client understand how these distortions can influence behavior.

The idea is to abort the process that lead to those addiction triggers, not simply how to resist them. Thus stressful events such as interpersonal conflict are broken down step by step and the client learns to see each step as a falling domino. Preventing those dominos from falling is the joy in behavioral holism.

A number of therapies exist under the umbrella of holism that may be used singularly or in combination with one another. These include:

• Acupuncture
• Yoga
• Aromatherapy
• Tai Chi
• Meditation
• Exercise and Stretching
• Nutritional Therapy

Treatment specialists in holism should hold the appropriate qualifications for medicine, therapy, nursing, or any other specialty offered by that facility.  Individual, group and family psychotherapy is of course provided, and should be carried out by licensed professionals.