Substance addiction affects not just a person’s physical health, but it also negatively reshapes their emotional and mental wellbeing. For this reason, many experts in the recovery field recommend holistic therapy as an approach that takes all these dimensions into account when designing and implementing treatment.

What Is Holistic Therapy?

The word holistic refers to accommodating the whole person by taking into account all systematic factors that impact them. This comprehensive approach acknowledges the interconnectedness of multiple aspects regarding human existence, both internally and externally.

Holistic therapy is designed to meet needs that are not usually focused on in traditional therapy, including medications and psychotherapy. Sometimes it is called complementary or integrated therapy. The many forms of holistic therapy are used to complement traditional addiction treatments.

Common holistic therapies include art therapy, music therapy, nature or wilderness therapy, chiropractic care, herbalism, acupuncture, meditation, and nutritional counseling. Holistic therapy stresses the importance of returning the individual into a natural setting or a creative environment, as nature and creativity have great healing powers.

Benefits of Holistic Therapy

Although different forms of holistic therapy may offer distinct benefits, they have a lot in common regarding restoration of health and destressing. Take stress reduction, for example. Holistic therapies such as meditation and mindfulness exercises are excellent ways to relieve stress naturally. Because people who use substances tend to have emotional numbness, these practices are also helpful in restoring healthy emotional functions in the brain.

Art and music therapy are healthy coping methods for staying sober. Creative projects in these areas can become new hobbies that allow people to enjoy themselves without using drugs or alcohol. They are also common forms of stress relief outside of treatment. The creative and sometimes spiritual elements in art and music can be powerful to bring healing to both the body and the mind.

Stress reduction can be the most effective relapse prevention strategy. By reducing and managing stress, holistic therapy reduces the rate of relapse. Equally important is the fact that these therapies help people find a renewed sense of hope and fulfillment, which is also a critical factor in preventing relapse.

Improving Self-Esteem and Overall Health Through Holistic Therapy

Many holistic therapies strike recovering individuals as new and innovative because they have most likely ignored these aspects of living before. The life of someone with substance addiction is often one without balance. Holistic therapies help restore balance by inviting other fun and healthy activities into their routines.

Addiction tends to damage one’s self-esteem. Addiction can also stem from feelings of low self-esteem, to begin with. Holistic therapies help them to reconnect with themselves. When they find that creativity is inside them, there is a renewed boost to their self-esteem. Being able to better cope with difficult emotions also helps them gain self-confidence in their journey.

Working With Holistic Therapists

A trained holistic therapist understands that your mind, body, and spirit are interconnected and thus directly impact one another. When you work with a holistic therapist, expect them to ask questions to understand all these parts within you. Holistic therapists are trained to have a large deposit of coping skills and practical tools to help you in many areas of life. You should not hesitate to ask questions about these resources either.

Holistic therapists strive to make you feel empowered to move from treatment to long-term healing. Expect advice on everyday living and lean on these practical suggestions. If you require specific help, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or trauma-informed care, most holistic therapists can provide help in these ways too. Most importantly, holistic therapists help you learn more about yourself in the areas of body, mind, and spirit. You will be asked to explore your thoughts, emotions, physical health, spiritual beliefs, and social connections.

Healing Towards Holistic Health

Today many people are experiencing stress and fatigue from consuming nutrient-deficient fast food and harmful water and produce. Many chronic diseases and mental health problems have complicated underlying causes that relate to the interconnectedness of our body, mind, and spirit. Holistic therapy promotes a comprehensive and multi-faceted outlook on our wellbeing by restoring your connection with yourself, environmental factors, and the spiritual dimension.

Holistic therapy works in the recovery community because substance addiction most often has co-occurring mental health issues. The body and the mind need to be treated simultaneously because they are incredible systems. Holistic therapy helps people achieve optimal wellness in the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual sense. It empowers people by involving them in understanding their innate ability to heal.

If you or a loved one wants to experience the full spectrum of treatments that help you achieve optimal recovery, you should try holistic therapy in addition to traditional treatment. There are different forms of holistic therapies, including art therapy, music therapy, nature or wilderness therapy, chiropractic care, herbalism, acupuncture, meditation, and nutritional counseling. Each offers unique advantages in bringing healing to certain areas of your health. At Capo Canyon Recovery, we have experience designing unique holistic therapies for our clients. At our treatment center near Mission Viejo, CA, you can meet with mental health experts who are holistically trained. We care about your long-term recovery and well-being. You can benefit from both our inpatient residential care and outpatient, long-term care programs. With an in-house chef, luxurious beds, and an onsite organic garden, we’re here to help you on your journey to all-rounded well-being. Don’t hesitate to call us at (800) 804-8714 today.