
Learn More
If you have issues with drug or alcohol abuse, you have experienced firsthand how the abused substances can significantly impact your brain and behavior. Drugs and alcohol provide rewarding and pleasurable feelings that further motivate you to continue to abuse them, but substance addiction robs you of your self-control as the drug abuse becomes compulsive. As addiction develops, this compulsive behavior increases in intensity and frequency, even when negative consequences occur as a direct result.
Quitting drugs or alcohol can be extremely challenging because of the physical and psychological power of the substances. Moving away from addiction and toward recovery is a difficult process that can be eased by professional drug addiction treatment programs.
Though many varieties of substance abuse treatment can exist, if you want a whole-person approach to recovery, you might consider a holistic addiction treatment program.
Find a Detox Near You Now
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recommend that substance abuse treatments target addiction and wellness in comprehensive ways.1,2
Holistic treatment is a term used to describe any substance abuse treatment program that focuses on improving the wellbeing of the entire person, not just addressing their substance abuse issues. They promote wellness of the mind, body, and spirit with the belief that any imbalance of these factors will lead to unwanted outcomes.
Every part of you must work in harmony to achieve wellness and long-term recovery.
This is valuable because many people with addictions have problems across multiple areas of functioning, but not all programs offer complete holistic services. Some services focused on treating alcoholism or drug addiction may not recognize positive characteristics of the person that could support recovery. Other programs may overlook stressors like co-occurring disorders that contribute to current use or future relapse. Holistic addiction treatments strive to address these shortcomings through a multidimensional approach that provides many therapies and services.2
Holistic treatments evaluate and work to improve each category to boost your overall wellness. Holistic rehab programs are based on the notion that each category of wellness influences the others. This implies that no matter how strong your physical health is, your overall wellness will be limited if your emotional health suffers.2 Every part of you must work in harmony to achieve wellness and maintain long-term recovery.
Holistic addiction treatment services are a wonderful opportunity to improve your overall wellbeing and satisfaction with life while promoting a drug-free lifestyle.
Holistic treatment programs offer a wide array of services since they focus on addressing many of your needs. From traditional psychotherapy to alternative therapies, you’ll find a large variation of services.
Evidence-based behavioral therapies you might find at a holistic program include:3
Holistic treatment also offers interventions that are sometimes referred to as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Alternative treatments are ones used instead of traditional strategies, while complementary treatments are used in collaboration with traditional care. These approaches fall outside of the standard care you might receive elsewhere, but many CAM strategies are safe and effective. Holistic programs may also be referred to as integrative treatments since they coordinate complementary and conventional interventions to accomplish recovery goals.4
Holistic addiction programs may use popular complementary treatments like:4
Still other holistic therapies may include:4,5,6
If you are interested in seeking holistic treatment for your alcoholism or substance addiction, you may become overwhelmed by the search process. Two primary treatment settings exist, including:
Each level of treatment has its benefits and drawbacks. Since holistic programs focus on all aspects of your wellness, inpatient options can provide more comprehensive treatment during your stay. Outpatient holistic treatments, on the other hand, offer the benefit of allowing you to practice and perfect these skills in your home environment with your natural supports.
Each holistic treatment program provides a different combination of services, so it is important to research what treatments a specific center uses to see if it is ideal for your situation.
Holistic addiction considerations include:
Whether seeking holistic addiction treatments or other forms of substance abuse treatment, you can expect a wide range of prices and fees based on:
As a general example, exclusive services provided by expert staff in a resort, luxury setting for a long duration will cost more than a more standard range of services provided by a less-credentialed staff in a traditional treatment setting.
Make sure you can afford the holistic treatment program before enrolling.
Another important factor affecting price is the intensity of services, since inpatient/residential programs are normally more expensive than outpatient options. According to averages across many treatment providers:7
The price and insurance coverage varies by treatments used in the program. With many CAM strategies lacking evidenced-based research, insurance providers may not view the treatments as medically necessary and withhold coverage. And since financial stress is a risk factor for relapse, it’s important to make sure you can afford the holistic treatment program before enrolling.
Paying for Rehab Treatment
Additional Resources on Drug and Alcohol Detox