Are Holistic Drug Rehabs Right to Treat Your Addiction?

Addiction and alcoholism take a toll on a person—physically, mentally, and even spiritually. Yet, many people turn to drugs and alcohol to self-medicate their physical aches and pains, emotional turmoil, psychological stressors, or feeling of spiritual emptiness. For this reason, there are holistic drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers.

At a holistic rehab, you or your loved one will focus on wellness and health as a whole. Holistic treatment seeks to heal an addict’s body, mind, and spirit—to help them stop using drugs and alcohol and teach them to protect their health in the future.

The Holistic Treatment Philosophy

Holistic addiction treatment comes from the philosophy of holistic medicine and healing:

• All three areas of health—body, mind, and spirit—are connected.
• Problems in one area of health affect the others.
• Unconditional love and support are the most powerful healing forces.
• All humans have the power to heal themselves.

At a holistic rehab, you or your loved one will work with doctors and treatment professionals to begin this healing process, using a number of approaches. To treat addiction, the underlying causes must be treated. Whether a person abuses substances to cope with physical, mental, or spiritual pain, a holistic rehab will help to heal each area of health and provide the tools necessary to stay sober.

What Happens at a Holistic Rehab?

Most holistic rehabs are inpatient programs, with a stay of at least 30 days—but most people benefit from longer stays. Addiction treatment in general has a number of stages. Each facility has an intake process, which involves physical exams and a medical history report. Then, the treatment staff creates an individualized treatment plan.

Depending on each client’s needs, holistic rehabs use medical detoxification practices to safely detox people from drugs and alcohol. However, holistic rehabs seek to remove dangerous toxins from the body without the use of drugs or chemicals. The main goal is to balance traditional treatment methods with natural healing.

In particular, at a holistic rehab, you or your loved one will uncover the physical, mental, and spiritual struggles that led to substance abuse. By identifying the root causes, an individual is able to work with doctors and counselors to improve and sustain their health. Clients will develop long-term recovery plans to help them deal with life and its stresses in healthy ways.

Like other treatment centers, holistic rehabs have licensed treatment professionals who conduct addiction therapy sessions daily. With individual counseling, group sessions, and support groups, clients focus on the mental and psychological causes of addiction. Holistic rehabs also offer a variety of unique services focused on physical and spiritual health.

What Special Services Do Holistic Rehabs Offer?

Though all treatment centers will be different, here are some of the services you can find at holistic rehabs:

For the Body:

• Organic, all-natural meals
• Nutritional therapy
• Yoga
• Tai Chi
• Exercise sessions
• Outdoor activities
• Cell & mood rejuvenation therapy
• Massages
• Acupuncture
• Chiropractic treatment

For the Mind:

• Alternative psychotherapies
  • Music & art therapy
  • Light therapy
  • Hypnosis
• Biofeedback

For the Spirit:

• Meditation
• Breathing exercises
• Nature walks

The Benefits of Holistic Rehabs

At a holistic rehab, you or your loved one will be on the path to freedom from addiction, while also becoming healthier and happier. A holistic rehab is typically set within nature. Whether it’s the at beach, by a lake, or in the mountains, clients get the chance to recover in a peaceful setting and connect with nature. Many people who haven’t had success with traditional rehabs in the past choose a holistic rehab.

Though some traditional methods are utilized, there are many alternative types of treatment. These alternative methods not only offer something new, but they also offer unique benefits. Music and art therapies allow clients to express themselves, and have proven effective in the healing of serious—sometimes terminal—illnesses. Tai chi and yoga can help release built-up toxins to promote faster healing.

Best of all, most holistic rehabs are flexible—offering a variety of activities with the option to choose which you’d like to participate in.

Finding the Right Holistic Rehab

There are a lot of holistic rehabs out there, so it’s important to do your research when choosing one. Many are non-12-step facilities, but there are also 12-step holistic rehabs. Some holistic rehabs are faith-based. Some offer programs designed for women, teens, and parents specifically.

This means you’ll have plenty of choices, but there are some important things to look for when choosing a holistic rehab.

Treatment Options

Every person is different, so it’s important to choose a rehab with a wide range of treatment options. Find out about the activities and therapy that a facility offers. Be sure the program truly practices whole-body healing.

Therapy

It’s best to have a low staff-to-patient ratio, to ensure proper, individualized care. But, it’s also important to balance that with group counseling, so clients can share support and empathy.

Treatment Staff

The facility should employ at least one medical professional and one psychotherapist. It’s essential that they have licensed therapists and counselors with experience, as well as a support staff that's highly-trained. Generally speaking, quality therapists have a master’s degree in behavioral science, social work, or a related field.

Aftercare Options

After treatment, it will take time to transition and establish recovery plans. A quality holistic rehab have established aftercare programs, or will help their clients make plans.

Facility Location

Because holistic rehabs offer a unique setting for treatment, it helps to research a location that’s comfortable, relaxing, and will foster healing and recovery. You’ll have to balance your location preference with travel costs, because some of these facilities may be far from where you live.

Cost

Because of the quality of food and activities, a holistic rehab can be expensive. Some will require payment out-of-pocket, so get a written summary of the costs from different facilities and compare programs. Other holistic rehabs accept some insurance policies, but each is different. You can check your benefits using our free form.

If you or a loved one is battling addiction, freedom is possible. If you’ve tried other rehabilitation programs in the past but haven’t found success, a holistic rehab may offer the kind of healing you need.

Equine Therapy, Mindfulness, and What the Terms Mean

"Holistic" is not a regulated word. In addiction treatment it usually means a program that adds body, mind, and spirit services to standard care rather than replacing it. The evidence-based therapies described in our addiction therapy guide should still be there, along with medical detox when it is needed. If a program treats yoga or a special diet as a substitute for counseling or for medication such as buprenorphine, that is a warning sign, not a feature.

Equine therapy pairs you with a horse under the guidance of a therapist, usually on the ground rather than riding: grooming, leading, and working through tasks. Horses react to tension and inconsistency, so the sessions give immediate feedback about how you carry yourself and communicate. Programs offer it to build patience, trust, and awareness of your own emotional state.

Mindfulness means paying attention to the present moment on purpose and without judgment. In treatment it shows up as guided meditation, breathing practice, body scans, and mindful walking, and it is also a component of clinical therapies such as DBT and mindfulness-based relapse prevention. Simple versions you can try anywhere: a two-minute breathing count, a slow scan of the body from feet to head, eating one meal without a screen, or a walk where you name what you see and hear. None of these replace treatment; they are tools for the moments between sessions.

When you compare holistic programs, ask the same questions you would ask any rehab, plus a few more: Is medical detox available on site or nearby? Who leads each service, and what are their credentials? Does the program work with people on medication for opioid or alcohol use disorder? What does aftercare look like once the retreat setting is gone? A program that answers those plainly is more likely to be treating the whole person than selling a setting.