Holistic Rehabilitation Programs

In rehab, holistic and alternative practices include a wide variety of behaviors aimed to align the mind, body, and spirit towards the end goal of total rehabilitation. Some of the most common approaches include:

• Nutrition: Holistic treatment is often centered around organic, whole-food based dishes that promote overall health, as well as target any nutritional deficiencies that have resulted from the substance abuse.
• Massage Therapy: According to studies done on the chemical response to massages, serotonin and dopamine increased by 28% and 31% respectively, which may help combat the dopamine drop that’s experienced in withdrawal.
• Physical Exercise: Regular exercise has numerous health benefits and can also help improve the patient’s mood, making it a critical part of holistic care.
• Yoga: Exercise that includes stretching, breathing exercises, and guided relaxation. According to the 2012 NCCIH survey, more than 85% of adults who practiced yoga perceived reduced stress levels, making it a natural choice for high-stress situations like detoxification.
• Meditation and Prayer: Quiet time seeking mental clarity or connecting with a higher power can be helpful in maintaining focus and hope throughout the rehab process.
• Herbal Therapy: Herbs and supplements are commonplace in holistic care. For example, ginseng has been claimed to lower drug dependence and valerian has been used to ease the pains of withdrawal.
• Acupuncture: Auricular acupuncture focuses on inserting needles on the external skin of the ear in specific spots, and is used to supposedly calm corresponding areas on the body. Some have claimed that it reduces symptoms during detox and withdrawal, and may help prevent relapse triggers.

The first step in deciding on a treatment plan should always be to get a professional assessment. Working according to the ASAM Criteria, an addiction specialist will determine whether or not an individual has:

• A history or evidence of substance abuse
• Signs of a psychiatric disorder
• Is a threat or danger to either themselves or others around them
• Has a present support system in the event of rehab
• Is willing to undergo rehabilitation

After determining your level of addiction and other factors that impact your path to recovery, you can work with your therapist to determine which holistic treatment methods will suit you the best. While you can still seek out holistic treatment on your own, building a plan with an addiction professional is the best way to design a treatment plan that will most effectively integrate holistic and traditional treatment methods.

For a more thorough guide to addiction assessments, read our guide to choosing the right rehab

Those considering outpatient rehabs have more freedom in choosing a facility since they can obtain holistic treatment from independent sources.

Aside from the normal considerations that come into play when choosing a rehab (such as trained and certified professionals and a large selection of evidence-based therapy options), choosing an inpatient rehab facility that offers holistic treatment requires individuals to research exactly what type of holistic treatments are available. However, those who are pursuing outpatient treatment won’t need to be concerned with extra considerations since they will be obtaining their holistic treatments from third-party providers.

Many luxury rehab facilities that offer holistic approaches are in scenic and tranquil locations that assist in the whole-body healing experience. While not every patient will need a completely peaceful environment to engage in holistic care, some may find it beneficial.

The cost of holistic treatment can vary based on what you are looking for in a rehab experience. For instance, inpatient, higher-end luxury facilities can cost between $30,000 and $100,000 per month, while outpatient facilities may cost between $3,000 and $10,000 for 90 days, with an added cost for separate holistic treatment.

Overall, facilities that offer holistic care are typically more expensive than their counterparts and are often considered “luxury rehab facilities.” Unfortunately, most insurance companies do not recognize holistic care as essential to rehabilitation, meaning that costly alternative medicine procedures like acupuncture may have to come out of pocket.

For more on the cost of rehab, read our guide on the subject

To start the search for the right holistic facility for you, use our directory to find rehab centers in your area that fit the needs of your situation. Once you’ve found a few potential centers, you’ll need to do some research and inquiries to determine which centers offer holistic rehab options.

Holistic practices aren’t just for rehabilitation – they’re for aftercare as well. Continuing to engage in positive habits like eating well, regularly exercising, doing yoga, and meditation can help you to stay encouraged and focused on maintaining sobriety. Along with continuing your positive practices, it’s helpful to follow traditional aftercare activities to prevent a relapse, including:

• Group therapy, 12-step programs, other sobriety programs
• Regular visits with a psychiatric specialist
• Overnight or weekend stay at your rehab center
• Scheduled drug testing
• Regular and frequent individual therapy sessions

If the traditional and holistic aftercare steps aren’t enough to prevent a relapse, transferring to a sober-living facility is an excellent option to get back on track without the environmental triggers you face in the real world every day.

There’s no “one way” to go about rehabilitation. For some, the traditional process accompanied with a 12-step system alone is enough for a successful recovery. For others, a more natural and holistic approach is needed to facilitate a healthy rehabilitation. In making your decision, it’s wise to consider scientifically-proven methods, as well as what works for you. While holistic rehab isn’t best for most people on its own, when used in tandem with evidence-based therapy, it can be the extra help you need on your road to recovery.

Disclaimer: The information contained on Help.org is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be relied upon for any medical or diagnostic purpose. The information on Help.org should not be used for the treatment of any condition or symptom. None of the material or information provided on Help.org is not intended to serve as a substitute for consultation, diagnosis, and/or treatment from a qualified healthcare provider.