5 Alternative Treatments For Addiction That Don’t Use the 12 Steps.
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For those recovering from alcohol and substance abuse, finding the right program can be challenging.
Traditional 12-step programs are common and widely available, but they are not the only option. Recovery is not a one-size-fits-all process. It is important to keep this in mind and to choose a treatment that works best for you.
5 Alternative Treatments For Addiction That Don’t Use the 12 Steps.
Below, Eelenastewart shares some alternative approaches to recovery treatments. Sometimes, they stand on their own, but they can also be combined with more traditional approaches.
Holistic Treatment
Unlike most programs, holistic treatments do not focus on curing current addiction symptoms, but instead emphasize healing the whole body, mind, and spirit.
This style of treatment is often used in conjunction with more traditional approaches and is more of a shift in mindset than a structured program.
This is not a quick fix, and it often involves a lifestyle change.
It promotes a sense of well-being, self-responsibility, and control over the body through mindfulness.
Holistic treatment begins with the most non-invasive methods possible, and builds from there, adjusting per the participant’s needs.
Many people find it might even mean shedding old routines, from friends to workplaces.
For example, your sobriety path may require you to switch careers in order to truly find the ideal lifestyle change.
If that’s the case, there are flexible online learning programs that can provide the skills and knowledge you need for a successful transition.
Whatever change you decide to make, it’s no surprise that the holistic approach is rapidly growing in popularity.
Spiritual Treatment
Spirituality is common in addiction treatment. It is important to note that spirituality is not synonymous with religion.
Many attempts to use spirituality as a supplement for addiction while others use it as a motivation to get better.
However,
Psychology Today notes that there is no proven connection between spirituality and addiction, and warns that programs that rely too heavily on spirituality have a higher chance of relapse.
It is best used as a part of a larger treatment.
Meditation & Mindfulness
While still in its early phases of implementation, mindfulness has been shown to be a promising new alternative to traditional rehab treatments.
A study conducted by JAMA Psychiatry found that those who participated in a mindfulness-based program had a significantly reduced risk of relapse.
Mindfulness and meditation help people with substance abuse disorders become comfortable with troubling thoughts that have previously led them to turn to substance abuse.
It teaches them to recognize negative thought patterns and to let them go.
Exercise in Treatment
Many studies have proven the effectiveness of exercise as a supplement to alcohol and substance abuse recovery. Exercise and a proper diet can provide a sense of accomplishment and improved health.
With the added bonus of becoming more physically fit, many find it a great motivator to stay sober.
However, recovering abusers are at risk of replacing one addiction with another and sometimes find themselves obsessing over how much weight they have lost or compulsively counting calories.
It is necessary to be mindful of this and to seek additional help immediately if this becomes the case.
Art & Music Therapy
The goal of art and music therapy is not to turn patients into artists.
Rather, it serves as a form of expression and offers them a way to feel in control over their lives again. It can become a powerful coping mechanism that teaches clients a way to manage their stress, fears, and anxieties.
Many former abusers find it difficult to talk about their experiences.
Art therapy and music therapy offer nonverbal ways of communicating and can be a powerful aspect of the healing process.
There is no experience necessary to participate.
Through creative activities such as drawing, painting, drumming, or lyric writing, art and music therapy provide soothing outlets while building self-esteem.
“This Blog does not provide medical advice It is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial your emergency number.
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