The Benefits of Alternative Addiction Treatment

People who get professional addiction treatment (using techniques like inpatient and outpatient care) have consistently high rates of recovery from substance misuse. These evidence-based medicines continue to be as successful as ever and save the lives of countless individuals each year. However, traditional addiction therapy is either ineffective or inadequate for certain people. Thankfully, some unconventional addiction rehabilitation methods have proven to be just as successful as regular treatment.

Alternative addiction therapies

While many addicts share similar experiences, not everyone gets well in the same way. A range of alternative therapies is available for recovering addicts to pick from to aid in their recovery. The following are some of the most well-liked non-traditional methods for treating addiction that is currently being used:

Equine therapy

Patients and horses collaborate in a therapeutic setting to foster emotional development and self-awareness in equestrian therapy. Due to their capacity to absorb positive energy from their human partners and to create a friendly, accepting atmosphere, horses have long been thought of as “therapists.” In equine therapy, patients interact with a horse on the ground to address problems, including trauma, trust issues, and poor self-confidence that may be causing their drug use disorder.

Art therapy

Any creative activity—painting, colouring, drawing, or creating—can be a part of art therapy for addiction. With creativity, patients are encouraged to open up and discover more about themselves via art therapy and additional treatment.

Mindfulness therapy

It takes practise and patience to become attentive. Instead of concentrating on the past or worrying about the future, mindfulness therapists help patients learn to live in the now.

Psychodrama 

Psychodrama is an alternative therapy that uses role-playing to assist patients with substance misuse problems in coping with their addiction’s emotional and psychological impacts. The ultimate goal of psychodrama is to speed up the recovery process after a traumatic experience by reenacting the incident and deriving accurate conclusions from it. Sessions in either individual or group therapy are available.

Biofeedback

In recovery, addicts and alcoholics typically battle with emotional instability. It may be challenging to learn to manage one’s emotions for anybody, but it can be more difficult for people who have never given it much thought. Patients may observe their physiological reactions to diverse stimuli with the help of biofeedback. Monitoring physiological variables like heart rate and muscle tension are possible when a person is connected to a device.

These are only a tiny sample of the numerous unconventional options available to individuals needing addiction rehabilitation. You could benefit from these therapies if you put in the time and effort.

Alternative drug treatment benefits

Rehab allows patients to work on their entire selves, including their brains, bodies, emotions, and spirits. This is one of the most delicate things about rehab. Alternative treatments are thorough in this regard; they consider all options. Alternative addiction has numerous benefits, but treating addiction as a disease is just one.

Less-scary addiction therapy

The environments where people get alternative addiction therapy are frequently the opposite of frightful. Because they connect treatment with institutional settings like offices and dorm rooms, many people avoid attending sessions. Their ability to grow and progress might be limited if they are uncomfortable undergoing treatment in a group or one-on-one with a therapist. When someone is at ease, doing their inner work comes more naturally.

Self-awareness

Many folks don’t know who they are on the inside until they achieve sobriety. Because they force patients to interact with their inner selves on many levels, horse therapy and mindfulness therapy effectively assist patients in developing self-awareness (mental, spiritual, and emotional). Since horses are herd animals, it is said that they can sense our emotions. The horse’s behaviour is likely to mirror the patient’s rage. It is up to the individual to develop self-awareness that enables them to change their perspective and, as a result, their temperament since nobody wants to be around an angry horse.

Confidence-boosting

Alternative therapies like biofeedback and mindfulness can help patients find and strengthen their intrinsic abilities to heal themselves and deal with emotional discomfort. Patients receiving these alternative therapies train their minds and bodies so that they nearly entirely rely on themselves to maintain sobriety. Patients gain confidence as they develop these skills since they can see their potential.

Healthier mind and body

Regardless of the approach, helping someone overcome an addiction enhances their physical and mental health. However, these complementary therapies are particularly successful in some circumstances because of their comprehensive approach. Mindfulness may lessen the possibility that someone may take harmful activities that may hurt their mental and physical well-being by educating one on how to shift unfavourable thought patterns. Through the promotion of greater self-awareness, coping skills, and tenacity, equine-assisted therapy can support patients in developing in ways that lessen or eliminate the need for drama in their lives. When there is less stress in one’s life, their physical health may improve as they are more likely to get adequate sleep, eat healthily, and engage in regular physical exercise (to name a few).

Conclusion

To eventually help you get over your reliance, addiction counselling has several possibilities. Call us immediately if you’re prepared to make a change that might ultimately save your life. Every step of the way, we are here for you.