When you have an opportunity to aid healing, without surgeries or medications, it’s a great feeling. More importantly, it gives you a sense of empowerment that you can manage your health effectively, even when you’re dealing with the inevitable ups and downs of sobriety—or life in general. Choosing holistic recovery options makes you feel better overall and reduces the chance of relapse. Here’s why.
Understanding the Holistic Approach
The medical definition of holistic, according to Oxford Languages, is “characterized by the treatment of the whole person, taking into account mental and social factors, rather than just the symptoms of a disease.” The term dates back to the 1920s.
This is why holistic methods are frequently part of the continuum of care at quality rehabilitation facilities like Willingway: they provide various avenues for individuals to explore and care for their entire being. In the addiction science community, an evidence-based, holistic philosophy is dedicated to treating a person’s emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual health.
This is a critical approach because addiction doesn’t happen in isolation—and no one ever intends to become addicted. Numerous risk factors, co-occurring disorders, and other aspects contribute to the development of this brain disease. Cleansing the body and mind through detoxification is only one step in the process: individualized treatment must include an examination of the whole self, unifying all components for effective recovery. Holistic methods are tools for recovery success that evolve as you do.
Many people discover that holistic therapies help them:
- Cope with cravings
- Not be as reactionary to triggers
- Commit to a plan for overall wellness, including diet and exercise
- Better manage mild or situational depression or anxiety
- Be more accepting of body and self
- Handle stress and negative thoughts more effectively
Being open and experimental is the key to success with holistic therapies—not everything will bring you joy, but a few techniques will certainly resonate with you, and that’s all that matters. You don’t have to buy a lot of shady products online to be holistic, either. But there are some scientifically supported methods you might find helpful, whether in the short term or throughout your life.
Start With the Basics
Allow yourself to focus on holistic self-care methods that are totally within your control. It shouldn’t be a surprise that many of the wellness techniques you learned during rehab—such as maintaining a whole-foods diet, regular exercise, and a focus on better rest—are all vital to self-care. If you need a refresher, we have numerous articles with additional information, such as:
- Need More Zzzz’s? Focus on Sleep Hygiene
- Using the Power of Ritual and Routine to Stay Sober
- Foods to Avoid When You’re in Recovery
- Why Being in Nature is Good for You
- Holistic Alternatives for Pain Management
- 10 Tips to Design a Purposeful Life in Recovery
- Coping With Stress in Healthy Ways
- Using Exercise to Help With Recovery
- 12 Reasons to Keep a Gratitude Journal
These and other health-centered articles on our blog offer extensive ideas and resources to help you access self-care methods that matter most to you.
Additional Holistic Therapies
A key factor in holistic care is that you’re just as responsible for your well-being as the practitioner. This is no different than addiction treatment, and perhaps a reason why certain alternative approaches work better for some people than others.
Here are just a few holistic therapies often used in addiction recovery:
- Acupuncture
- Aromatherapy
- Biofeedback
- Creative arts therapy
- Forest bathing
- Herbal therapy
- Homeopathy
- Hypnosis
- Massage and other bodywork
- Meditation and spirituality
- Progressive muscle relaxation
- Qigong
- Yoga
For more detailed descriptions of these and other techniques, review the non-profit resource Addiction Recovery Guide.
Here are some important considerations to remember when choosing a holistic professional:
- Whether it’s a chiropractor, naturopath, acupuncturist, massage therapist, yoga teacher, or other holistic treatment provider, check credentials. Also review their training, hospital affiliations, and professional organizations. Get recommendations from trusted sources.
- Remember, this is whole-person treatment. Alternative therapists should examine the big picture, including your diet, emotional state, exercise routine, contributing medical conditions, sleep habits, and other factors. Make sure to align with a professional who comprehends that you’re not just a disease.
- Find someone who understands addiction, and works to support what you’ve already accomplished.
The Whole-Person Philosophy at Willingway
The board-certified professionals at our Georgia and Florida addiction rehabilitation locations understand the importance of combining evidence-based treatment with holistic lifestyle solutions. Our philosophy is to address you as a person with symptoms of a disease—just like any other medical condition. If this is the care you or a loved one has been missing, contact our admissions team today to learn more.