Holistic therapy for addiction is a treatment strategy that cares for the individual in their entirety instead of merely tackling the addiction. This method of treatment acknowledges that addictive behaviors are often caused by a combination of physical, emotional, and interpersonal factors. The purpose of holistic therapy is to address these factors at the same time. But what is the core of holistic therapy, what are its benefits, and is it actually effective?
Continue reading for the answers to these questions plus other information on this therapeutic method.
There are many benefits to holistic therapy including, but not limited to, increased self-esteem, reduced anxiety, the development of healthy coping skills, and improved mood.
What is Holistic Therapy?
Holistic therapy, which can sometimes be referred to as holistic psychotherapy or body-centered psychotherapy, is an all-encompassing type of therapy that employs both standard and non-conventional treatments to treat the whole person, rather than just a symptom. Instead of concentrating on a single issue, it takes into account mental, physical, and spiritual aspects that have an effect on a person’s overall health and aims to help people heal and flourish on a deeper level. Holistic therapy combines elements of standard talk therapy and non-traditional approaches, such as hypnosis, breath work, and meditation.
How Does Holistic Therapy Work?
A holistic approach to therapy requires mutual partnership between the therapist and the person who is seeking help. This working relationship allows them to design a personalized plan with both traditional and alternative treatments. Holistic therapy also uses scientific methods to create preventative measures and amplify the person’s capability to heal themselves. Ultimately, the objective of this approach is to provide the person with a more comprehensive understanding of themselves and to help them build their self-confidence and self-esteem.
Holistic therapists may utilize expressive arts, for example, dancing, painting, or playing music to work with clients or utilize mindfulness activities, which include contemplation and leisure techniques, and physical practices such as yoga or Tai Chi.
Holistic Therapy vs Traditional Therapy
Holistic health and traditional therapies are both ways of treating addiction and mental health diagnoses, but they have different focuses and methods. Traditional therapy, sometimes referred to as evidence-based therapy, utilizes precise, well-known strategies to address dysfunctional behaviors. This kind of treatment is usually concentrated on transforming attitudes, actions, and feelings that are creating difficulties for the person. Examples of traditional therapy include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and exposure therapy.
In comparison, holistic therapy takes a broader viewpoint towards treatment and takes into account every aspect of a person, comprising their physical, psychological, and spiritual health. This kind of therapy may involve a wide range of modalities and techniques, like meditation, yoga, diet, and art therapy, in addition to classic talk therapy. The aim of holistic therapy is to aid the person to gain equilibrium and concordance in all parts of their life.
Is Holistic Therapy Effective?
With such a broad range of approaches used in holistic therapy, it is hard to measure its effectiveness. This therapy often takes on other evidence-based treatment approaches such as CBT and short-term dynamic psychotherapy. Practices such as acupuncture, yoga, and controlled breathing have been successful in various applications. Some studies have indicated that comprehensive, holistic care is effective and has many advantages.
Studies have found that mindfulness and meditation are advantageous for relieving tension and stress and can be tailored to different objectives and conditions. Holistic techniques provide physical and psychological benefits that are also economical. Guided imagery, which is regularly employed in holistic techniques, promotes a good night’s sleep, enhances one’s mood, minimizes stress, and induces relaxation.
Types of Holistic Therapy in Los Angeles
Holistic psychotherapy is an expression that covers many different kinds of treatments. It uses a variety of complementary or alternative therapies to help individuals understand their symptoms. These approaches are intended to help people become more aware of themselves and comprehend the relationship between their body, mind, and spirit. These approaches frequently originate from mindfulness and somatic practices. Common holistic therapies include:
- Guided Meditation
- Journaling
- Music Therapy
- Breathwork
- Yoga
- Tai Chi
- Qi Gong
- Acupuncture
- Red Light Therapy
- Reiki
- Massage Therapy
Benefits of Holistic Therapy
Holistic therapy is popular in the context of wellness and is often employed to help people combat stress and tension and to improve their overall well-being. This approach emphasizes the physical, mental, and spiritual facets of health, enabling users to comprehend how they are interrelated and how they affect their health. Additionally, many holistic strategies can be used independently, apart from therapeutic sessions, to handle circumstances that cause stress, worry, or mood alterations. Other benefits include, but are not limited to, the following:
Reduces Stress
Anxiety is sometimes the motivation behind someone trying out or continuing to take drugs or alcohol. When in therapy, it is important to find new approaches to managing tension. Holistic treatments are an excellent way to lower stress in a natural and safe manner. This advantage goes hand in hand with reducing stress. If you had been using drugs and alcohol to confront difficult feelings, you would need to learn new methods to remain sober. You’d have to find new hobbies that permit you to have fun without the assistance of any substances. After treatment, there are a variety of holistic therapies that you can take part in to use as a form of relaxation outside of rehabilitation.
Prevents Relapse
Addiction recovery includes relapse prevention as an important element. Holistic treatment can help lower the number of relapse occurrences. Stress management and coping strategies could potentially have an effect on the potential for relapse. Additionally, these therapies give people the opportunity to find purpose and fulfillment. This is a key factor in fighting against relapse that is frequently overlooked. If individuals feel like they have a legitimate purpose for staying sober, it is more probable that they will succeed. Finding purpose can come from a variety of sources, for example, employment, charity work, creative activities, or parenting. Holistic treatments often aid people in discovering their purpose so that they can live a meaningful and drug-free life.
Improves Self-Esteem
Substance abuse can significantly damage your self-esteem and outlook on life. You may feel embarrassed and unsure of yourself. You may feel like the life you led while addicted doesn’t reflect your true self, which can make you question your identity. Holistic treatments help you reconnect with yourself. You can process hard emotions and build your self-confidence by gaining new abilities. These therapies offer you the chance to look inwards in a secure atmosphere. This period of contemplation may facilitate you in reconnecting with your genuine self. A robust sense of identity can help you remain abstinent from drugs and alcohol.
Improves Overall Health
Treatments that take a comprehensive approach to health can benefit the body in many ways. Substance abuse can cause physical and mental difficulties, and natural therapies can help to address some of these issues. Certain practices, such as dietary guidance and yoga, have a clear effect on physical health, while meditation can be beneficial in terms of getting better sleep, decreasing blood pressure, and easing pain. Additionally, holistically-focused treatments can improve mental wellness, as substance misuse is frequently linked to mental health disorders, with nearly half of those with addiction having an accompanying mental illness. These therapies can provide relief from the indicators of mental illness and can help to prevent relapse.
Is Holistic Therapy Right For Me?
Holistic therapy may not immediately provide a remedy, but including it in your routine could facilitate the healing process. This is particularly accurate if you are struggling with both substance abuse and addiction. A lot of people with substance abuse difficulties can identify the roots of their addictions to other elements in their lives that weren’t identified or treated – be it from trauma, mental health issues, or chronic pain that an individual has been suffering from for a long duration.
Many individuals attempt to alleviate their issues through the use of addictive substances, though this only serves to reinforce the problem among addicts. When a person is suffering from a substance abuse problem, in addition to a related mental health disorder or chronic pain, it is essential to treat both the addiction and the core issue that caused the addiction. If only the addiction is addressed and the underlying circumstances are not, then the individual is more prone to relapse. To truly heal, the origin of the illness must be addressed.
How to Get Started
If you’re interested in receiving holistic therapy, there are a few steps you should take before beginning. To start, you need to locate a treatment facility that provides this type of therapy. During your initial appointment, your therapist is going to assess your current state and collaborate with you to set goals for your treatment. As holistic therapy is flexible, the therapist can assess your needs and make changes to the plan as you move forward with therapy, depending on what is necessary.
Holistic Therapy at Launch Centers in Los Angeles
We at Launch Centers are dedicated to aiding individuals who are struggling with substance abuse. Our program is designed to help individuals reach their maximum potential by combining educational and career components with health care and thorough treatment. Through holistic therapy, we can assist you in regaining control of your life and making strides toward sobriety. If you or a loved one require assistance and want to learn more about our many services and treatment options, contact one of our specialists at Launch Centers today. Recovery is closer than you think.
