Alternative Therapies: Do They Work In Drug Rehab?

In previous decades, somebody that had a drug or alcohol problem were effectively sent to a psychiatrist who would work with them to overcome their issues. However, that did all change in the 1980s thanks to people developing a greater understanding of what goes on inside the mind and body of the person with the problem and that the drug itself is not the sole contributor to the addiction. This has, in turn, led to the development of a number of alternative therapies that are being used to help addiction issues, but do they actually work?

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Acupuncture

One of the most popular is actually acupuncture and what this does is it helps to tackle the different withdrawal symptoms that the person is suffering. The reason why this works is because it encourages the production, and then release, of endorphins and this, in turn, will help the immune system as well as reduce stress and anxiety levels. This in itself is extremely important as anxiety is a major contributor to people failing rehab, so clearly anything that can reduce those levels will be beneficial.

Rhythmic Therapy

Another therapy that is used on a regular basis is rhythmic therapy and in most cases this involves drumming. This therapy helps people to focus their mind and it has also been shown to reduce stress and anxiety levels over time. You may at first be rather skeptical about this, but you only have to read comments from those people that have actually tried it to see how it does work and does make a difference.

Art

You may also find that art in general can be used as a therapy and it does work along the same lines as the rhythmic therapy that was just covered. In rehab you may also be taught how to meditate or may be given a massage to ease those aches and pains and just to generally relax you. Clearly there is a recurring theme here, but it is known that if you are less stressed or depressed, then you stand a better chance of successfully completing rehab.

Aromatherapy

Finally, you may be given oxygen therapy or will spend time with an aromatherapist. With the oxygen therapy the aim here is to use it to cleanse your body of all of those toxins that can be making you feel unwell. It also encourages new cell growth to replace those that have been damaged and it has also been shown to be an effective tool in helping to promote better sleep. With aromatherapy, it helps with the detox process and reduces the impact of those withdrawal symptoms. This is achieved by using different essential oils that give off an aroma that can work on our mind and allow us to relax. It has been used for centuries and it has certainly made a difference to various people in rehab.

In short, alternative therapies do indeed work for people in drug rehab although obviously it can be a bit hit and miss and will depend on the individual themselves as to whether or not they are willing to try new things. These therapies can help to work on the mind and can ease withdrawal symptoms, reduce anxiety, and generally cope with the stress associated with trying to beat an addiction.

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License: Creative Commons image source
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Henry Hernandez is a father and army veteran. He enjoys going to the beach and riding horses. Henry has worked 5 years for a rehab in Orange County, CA, www.stephouserecovery.com. You can find henry on Google+.