Holistic Treatment for Drug Addiction
There are several ways of treating drug addiction, from classical ones to innovative ones; one of them is called holistic treatment. First thing first, the word ‘holistic’ means taking into account every characteristic of a single person. Therefore, it’s not limited to curing the physical and psychological effects of drug addiction. A holistic approach to addiction is something rather new, and, for this reason, there might be a lot of uncertainties regarding this topic. To shine some light over holistic rehabs, we prepared this quick article.
What is a Holistic Approach to Addiction Treatment?
Addiction usually affects a person emotionally, physically, and mentally. Therefore it’s crucial to find the best way to treat the individual who’s suffering.
In order for a treatment to be complete and effective, it needs to address all of these aspects. Otherwise, it won’t be a complete therapy. A holistic addiction treatment aims to make the patients well in all the areas of their health, as well as getting rid of the influence of drugs or alcohol.
A holistic approach to addiction doesn’t only take into consideration an individual’s physical state, but it also works on a person’s mental, emotional, and spiritual needs. This doesn’t necessarily mean a holistic drug treatment is a non-medical one; although there are some that don’t include a medical aspect, there are also many that come with clinical care.
Holistic rehab focuses on a patient’s unique complexities. Therefore, the chances of complete recovery are higher when compared to standard treatment. Long-lasting recovery can be reached through holistic rehabilitation because it treats the entire person, basing on the fact that physical signs of an addiction are not the main problem of an individual.
What Are Holistic Therapies?
Let’s now move on to describing some of the primary non-medical holistic addiction therapies that are available to the patients:
- Art therapy: One of the most common therapies. Art therapy ideas for substance abuse features different kinds of art (such as painting and drawing) and helps patients develop a healthy way of coping with challenges of different nature they might encounter throughout their lives.
- Exercise therapy: This therapy aims to improve mental and emotional health through exercising the body. These patients will become physically fit while also gaining confidence in their abilities.
- Acupuncture or massage: Physical pressure and stress can both be relieved through these therapies. The discomfort which comes from muscular stress might indeed be the reason why some people turn to alcoholism or drug abuse. With this holistic therapy, individuals are likely to find physical and emotional peace.
- Mindfulness therapy: This therapy, along with meditation, aims to help a patient become aware of the current moment, focusing on the here and now and taking the attention off of painful memories.
Ultimately, these holistic addiction treatments don’t forget the physical pain and stress, which originates from drug addiction and withdrawal. However, they also focus on helping the patient move forward and not be stuck in the past.
Some other effective therapies can be:
- Yoga
- Tai Chi
- Meditation
- Nutritional therapy
Different activities are involved in holistic addiction recovery, but they all focus on showing the individuals how they can persevere to overcome difficult situations while working with other people as a team.
Costs of holistic therapies
The costs may vary depending on which therapy patients approach. In high-end programs, massage therapy can cost around $160/hour, while an hour of acupuncture can reach $110.
Sometimes the costs of the single therapies are included in the overall cost of the holistic rehabs; other times, additional sessions need to be paid separately.
What About the Benefits of Holistic Therapies?
One of the main benefits of following holistic addiction treatment is being able to focus on current events and what’s happening in the present. Drug abuse is sometimes a way to forget pain, but with holistic rehabs, patients are encouraged to take the next step to move on from their fears and anxiety.
When people complete the program, they’re not only going to be able to realize when they’re having negative feelings or negative thoughts, but they are also going to know how to correctly deal with them without turning to drugs or alcohol.
If you wish to know more about holistic substance abuse treatments, you are welcome to read this article, the NCBI website offers.
Is It Possible To Detox From Drugs At Home?
Detoxing is an important part of the drug recovery process. This is because it is often one of the first significant steps to prove your commitment to leaving drug use behind. It can be hard, complicated, messy, and even painful for some.
It is recommended that when detoxing from drugs, you do it under the care of a medical professional. This is because the process of detoxing from drugs can be dangerous to you and others. There are quite a few different drug withdrawal symptoms that can make people use drugs again just so they feel better.
Intense cravings are also just another symptom of drug withdrawal, and without someone qualified to look after and stop you it is possible to relapse right away to get rid of the bad feelings.
Another risk of detoxing at home is that if you do relapse, you may take too strong a dose of your drugs. This can lead to an overdose, and if you are alone, it can mean leading to your death. This is dangerous on many accounts.
Using some drugs can also make you violent or delusional which can cause harm to people around you. For everyone’s safety, it is not recommended to detox from drugs at home.
Making A Safe Plan
If you do decide to detox from drugs at home, then it should only be done with a doctor’s support for you doing so. This does tend to work for people who aren’t too far along in their addiction or have a good support system. The effects of drugs are different from everyone so for some people this isn’t a bad idea.
A plan on how to detox at home needs to be properly set up so that you know what you are doing. To make a plan, there may be some common questions to answer to help figure out what will work best for you. These questions include:
– The type of substances you use regularly and whether you are currently intoxicated.
– The frequency, dose, and duration of your use.
– Any preexisting and concurrent mental health symptoms.
– Your physical health/medical history.
– Previous withdrawal and detox attempts.
– How much support you have at home.
Choosing A Natural Detox Process At Home
If withdrawal symptoms aren’t going to be so bad for you then using home remedies for detox may be a great idea. Especially if you are committed and have someone looking out for you as well.
Choosing this method is still risky because anything can happen to you physically. It’s only an option for certain drug use too, so that is why talking to your doctor and getting their advice is an absolute must.
There are online support groups out there for just this kind of thing too. Checking the forums or groups can provide a wealth of information and help you in the decision-making process or through whatever it is you choose to do.
If you feel that you are having trouble with your detox or are afraid you might use then call your doctor or go to the nearest rehab facility so that you don’t fail in your recovery. It’s okay to realize you need more help than you can give yourself.
What kind of detox is the worst to go through?
Detox can be a highly unpleasant experience for individuals that have been continuously abusing drugs and suddenly stop. Withdrawal symptoms may be unpleasant, but for some drugs, it is the only way for toxins to be released from the body. Some street drugs can have fatal consequences when quitting cold turkey, making medical detox a necessary service. Withdrawal is one reason many addicted individuals avoid treatment, but professionals at treatment centers are aware of the risk and take precautions to guard against it.
Opiates – Prescription Drugs, Heroin & More
Early symptoms of withdrawal include anxiety, agitation, aches in the muscles, and trouble sleeping. As they progress, individuals may experience abdominal cramping, sweating, diarrhea, nausea, runny noses, and vomiting within 30 hours.
Cocaine
Withdrawal from cocaine happens within 90 minutes and can last for 10 days – the worst symptoms occur within the first two days. Users may feel fatigued, slow, hungry, lose interest in sex, feel physical pain, and suffer from insomnia. Depression and paranoia are also serious risks, as they can lead to dangerous behaviors.
Alcohol
Alcohol withdrawal can cause death if it is not monitored by a professional. You may notice such signs of alcohol withdrawal as confusion, convulsions, seizures, and even delusions. Anxiety, nausea, and sweating may also occur, and peak within 30 hours of the user’s last drink. If hallucinations occur, they can last for up to 6 days.
Benzodiazepines
These are used to treat acute symptoms of withdrawal, but they may cause addiction themselves in individuals who are prone to addictive behavior. These withdrawal symptoms can be extreme and last longer than other drugs – anywhere from 10 to 14 days. Several problems can occur, including psychotic episodes and seizures. Without professional monitoring, detox can be fatal.
Amphetamines
These are commonly prescribed, but there is a version of this drug on the streets – methamphetamines. One of the biggest symptoms of withdrawal is the intense craving to use the drug again. This can last for several weeks, declining as time goes on. You may also experience depression, psychosis, or lethargy.
Mixing Drugs
Mixing drugs increases the difficulty of dealing with symptoms of withdrawal. This can complicate recovery, making users more likely to recover if they have the help of a professional. Professionals can guide you as you attempt to work through your addiction and provide a safe place to go through withdrawal as comfortably as possible.
If you or someone you love needs help battling an addiction, speak with a professional and get the help you need. Detoxing is always difficult, but it can be made much easier with expert guidance.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
What Is An Intensive Outpatient Program?
Intensive Outpatient Treatment (or IOP) is a program sometimes recommended. For those who don’t need a detox supervised by medical staff, this can be the best option. It is also intended for those who may have already finished initial treatment, but to help them continue forward.
It’s considered part-time, to work even better with jobs and family. This way you can keep your ties to family strong. Drug recovery programs can save you from your real life and isolate you. This option is a way to keep everyone together and a part of your recovery.
The main form of treatment for an Intensive Outpatient Program is group therapy. There is also individual therapy weekly. This is so that a support group is maintained and also personal accountability.
There are a lot of topics covered in our Intensive Outpatient Program therapies.
Some of these topics include:
- Understanding addiction and its brain chemistry
- Relapse prevention
- Life skills
- Spirituality
- Learning with the 12-steps principles
- Managing urges
- How addiction progresses
Of course, this all depends on need. If further instruction is needed, then it will be recommended. Such as family counseling, life skills, or employment issues. We strive to help make everything as informative and helpful as possible.
How these process works are that over time it becomes slowly less intense. You give daily “homework”. This is so we can make sure you are focused and we can help. As you grow stronger you will need less consistent attention.
Our goal is to make you more self-sufficient so you can move on as you go. Kind of like graduating to a less intense situation.
The Difference Between Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment Programs
Inpatient treatment programs are what you generally think of when you hear about rehab centers. They are residential where they have patients stay. Usually, there are heavy rules to follow and a lack of trust.
You give up your day to day life and earn privileges as you follow the treatment. This can be thirty days or more away from your life. It can make stepping back into your life even more difficult after treatment.
Outpatient programs are definitely more independent. You continue to control your life and stay at home. We give our support and care, but ultimately leave you to take back the reins on your life.
General Outpatient Treatment Program (GOP)
It is important that you stop using drugs the day before you come in. That way in the morning we can treat the beginning of your withdrawal symptoms.
Coming in with drugs in your system just makes it take longer. Commit to this first step for yourself.
Outpatient treatments are often the best option for people who have drug abuse problems. Not everyone is the stereotype of an addict, living on the streets and scruffy.
Many drug addicts realize they have a problem before it ruins everything. But going to rehab isn’t an option because they need to be able to keep their job, or be with their families.
We have a high-intensity outpatient program. This is to serve better those who need to keep control over their lives. Being able to continue with their daily lives can make this whole process easier.
What To Expect:
- For this first trial, be ready to stay at least six hours.
- You will be attended to by a nurse. There will be an option to see a psychiatrist.
- We are fully educated and informed on current treatment. We are constantly adding to and changing our programs.
- Each person is individually treated with their own program and medications.
- We make sure to choose medicines based on the least amount of effects.
Along with that, we make sure they are effective.
- Your opinion matters. How much you want to take is taken into account for dosage.
- You return each day for your medication to help relieve symptoms.
Why Outpatient Is The Right Way To Choose
You don’t have to wait. Instead of having to wait in a hospital or waiting room we see you right away. The whole pesky business of needing to be transferred doesn’t happen. Our medical staff is here waiting to help.
More intense. This means that the program is regulated, faster, and maybe a little more difficult for some people. We will check on you every hour to see how you’re doing. We want this to happen as much as you do.
No rush. Hospitals and other treatment centers push to get people to stop using detoxing medicines as fast as possible. This is done with best interests in mind but isn’t always helpful. We are here and ready to make sure you have as much time as you need to detox.
What Is Drug Detox And Why Is It Necessary?
Detox
Detoxification is an important term to know. Detoxing is the process of toxins being cleansed from the body. When someone uses drugs regularly, their body grows used to the substance.
Withdrawal
When someone stops using the substance suddenly, the body going into overdrive. This is called withdrawal. The body can believe that without that drug it cannot function. Many uncomfortable and painful symptoms follow.
Withdrawal symptoms include:
- Shaking
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Chills
- A headache
- Racing heart
The body already has a natural detox system with the liver. The liver continuously cleanses the blood of impurities or waste. Taking too many drugs can not only hurt the liver but make it impossible for it to keep up.
Withdrawal symptoms are usually the hardest hurdle to overcome in the beginning. Commitment can be shaken. If someone uses drugs the withdrawal symptoms stop immediately but so does the detox.
Once past the first process of detoxing by winning against the withdrawal, the rest can seem a little easier. Without the pain of the withdrawal, those in recovery can see that they did beat it so far and can continue to do so.
Is Drug Detox Necessary?
There’s really no blanket statement that can be made. Every person reacts differently. There are plenty of stories out there that claim detox isn’t necessary. There are just as many stories saying it is.
It is widely believed that yes, drug detox is indeed necessary. This is why it is almost universally recommended. Developing dependence on drugs after abusing them is common but not always what happens for everyone.
Withdrawal symptoms are also different for everyone. They might not be as severe in some people’s cases. For others, they could feel like death throes.