9 Alternative Therapies for Addiction Treatment You Should Consider

The use of alternative therapies for treating various addictions is becoming very popular and is now slowly moving from the category of “alternative” to one of the important treatment for addiction.⁽¹⁾ There are various addiction treatment centers where they give alternative therapies, such as yoga, biofeedback, herbal remedies, biochemical restoration treatments and different types of meditation practices like Mindfulness Meditation, Transcendental Meditation and Qigong for treating addiction of any kind. Moreover experts are now considering all these options more seriously, which were once upon a time frowned upon.

1. Damaged Brain Waves Can Be Rehabilitated With Biofeedback

   Biofeedback is a process where the patient is connected to electrical sensors so information or feedback can be generated about what is occurring in the body (bio) of the patient.⁽²⁾

   Some of the various forms of biofeedback include measuring heart rate, breathing, temperature etc. However, brainwave biofeedback is the most common form of biofeedback used in substance abuse treatment and is also referred to as neuro-feedback.⁽³⁾

   There was an article published in March 2008 in Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback which showed tentative findings that suggested biofeedback can be a helpful method for predicting the chances of relapse in addicts who are in treatment. Decrease in alpha brain waves which are linked with relaxation and increased beta brain waves, which are linked with arousal, were seen more in patients who suffered a relapse within six months of starting treatment.

   Brainwave biofeedback training can help in teaching the patients to increase production of their own alpha, and in some cases even theta brain waves. This can be achieved by providing feedback when success is achieved. Brainwave biofeedback training also shows great promise in decreasing the symptoms of depression.⁽⁴⁾

2. WHO has Sanctioned Acupuncture for Treating Drug Abuse

   An NIH report in the February 2012; and in 1996 the World Health Organization (WHO) has shortlisted 64 medical issues (including the treatment of drug abuse) which are suitable for acupuncture treatment.⁽⁵⁾ Acupuncture works by stimulating the release of dopamine (brain chemical) and according to evidence; it helps in decreasing cravings for prohibited substances in addicts.⁽⁷⁾ For this reason acupuncture is now one of the most extensively used alternative treatments for addiction and substance abuse and is usually included in detoxification programs.

   The National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) is a non-profit advocacy and training organization which was founded in 1974 for promoting the use of standardized acupuncture protocol for treating different types of behavioral health issues, including addictions.

3. Yoga Aligns the Mind, Body and Spirit and Increases Inner Peace Which Helps In Substance Abuse

   The meaning of Yoga “union” in Sanskrit, where the focus is on posture, breath and meditation to help increase the production of the good and positive brain chemicals which in turn decreases anxiety, stress and depression and is an effective alternative therapy for treating substance abuse. It is also thought that yoga can help in restoring brain chemistry, which has been disrupted or distorted by substance use.

   Practicing the yoga postures helps in reducing impulsiveness, increasing awareness in recovering addicts, which allows them to make positive changes in their life to fight substance abuse.⁽⁸⁾

4. Meditation Decreases Cravings, Increases Abstinence, Relieves Emotional Distress and Helps In Substance Abuse

   Different forms of meditation helps in providing a gamut of positive effects from all the alternative therapies, which are commonly used. Meditation helps in rewiring and retraining the reward centers of the brain by way of increasing mindful awareness of subconscious craving triggers and cutting down the perceived power of triggers.⁽⁹⁾ Meditation also helps in decreasing the negative habituated behaviors, which helps in increasing self esteem, self-awareness and better choice-making.

   A study done on a Chinese practice, which is Integrative Qigong Meditation (IQM), which is a combination of breathing, relaxation, mindfulness and guided imagery showed that it helps in reducing cravings and decreasing the withdrawal symptoms.

   According to experts, a mindfulness-based program for treating substance use disorders is not effective than a conventional relapse prevention program in cutting down on the heavy drinking and substance use for about a year.

   Studies showed that Transcendental Meditation for helping with reduction of substance abuse significantly reversed the psychological and physiological factors of substance abuse along with maintenance of abstinence for a substantial period of time.⁽¹⁰⁾

5. Repair Cells Damaged by Substance Use With The Help of Targeted Nutritional Therapy

   This alternative therapy can help in substance abuse by using integrated nutritional treatment, which addresses all the mental and physical damage to the health caused by substance abuse in restoring healthy brain function; brain chemistry and overall physical health.⁽¹¹⁾ Targeted nutritional therapy for substance abuse recovery consists of strictly avoiding foods, which trigger the opiate receptors in the brain, such as artificial sweeteners, simple sugars, caffeine, milk protein and gluten.

   This alternative therapy is based on the theory that health can be maximized and illness can be treated by introducing natural substances in the body, which will help create an ideal molecular environment for the cells.

   According to experts, using a comprehensive nutritional plan which focuses on the “over-stimulated” opiate receptors present in the brain of addicts is effective in managing substance abuse disorders. When there is stimulation of the opiate receptors, this results in cravings for addictive substances like alcohol, drugs, and certain foods; however, if there is suppression of opiate receptors with the help of targeted nutritional therapy, then the likelihood for success in addiction recovery is more.

6. Equine-Assisted Therapy for Substance Abuse Treatment ⁽¹²⁾

   Equine-assisted therapy is a program where equine specialist will guide clients through different types of activities with horses to benefit with various ailments. Different types of equine programs have different goals depending on the person participating. Some programs are done for treatment of mental health and some are for occupational or physical therapy and some are used for treating substance abuse disorder and addiction. All the activities with the horses are done on the ground and consist of taking care of the horse or more organized form of activities to help with medical issues.

   Taking care of horses helps in developing self-competence and the structured sessions also help in exploring deeper emotional issues in the patient without any judgment in the presence of an animal. The relationship with the horse reflects the relationship the patient has with himself and the problems which an addict hides will be revealed during interactions with the horse. With equine therapy, the therapist and the patient can find out the underlying patterns, which fuel the addiction, while discovering new form of thinking, behaving and feeling.

7. Drama Therapy for Treating Substance Abuse

   Drama Therapy is yet one more alternative treatment for substance abuse problem where the participants or the patients act out a scene, which is commonly associated with an interpersonal issue.⁽¹³⁾ There are various approaches to this, ranging from structured to free-flowing and some specific techniques that are used to encourage behavioral change and increase awareness.

   Participating in role reversal allows the participants to exchange their places with one another and act as a different person. Doing this can help in broadening their perspective by standing in other person’s shoes, which allows them to see how the other person’s views the same situation. This helps in better resolution of past hurts and anger. Additionally, when another person stands in your shoes, feelings or thoughts, which had not surfaced before are discovered.

   Many a times, the user is not aware or their feelings and are in denial about their substance abuse problem. Drama therapy, where the patient or the user acts as a different person, allows them to act out their inner voices and feelings, which in turn helps in identifying the emotional turmoil and help in being more aware of the actual consequences of the addiction or substance abuse. Acting as a different person and in different scenarios also helps in developing effective coping skills for different situations and also helps in resolving problems related with trauma, which commonly is an underlying cause for addiction and substance abuse.

8. Art Therapy for Substance Abuse

   Art therapy is another type of alternative therapy where different types of materials, such as paint, beads, pens, clay, tissue paper and sometimes wooden boards and nails are used.⁽¹⁴⁾ Art therapy is a calm way to explore your problems and to find the cause of addiction and substance use and is a good form of alternative treatment for substance abuse.⁽¹⁵⁾

   In art therapy when someone is creating something new with their own hands, it relaxes them and is therapeutic and enjoyable experience. The subject of the art can be analyzed with the therapist to find out what emotional issues have caused the addiction and so they can start the process of healing.⁽¹⁵⁾

9. Adventure Therapy for Addiction and Substance Abuse

   Adventure-based therapy has become quite common these days as a type of alternative substance abuse treatment where it is incorporated into other treatment programs. If the patient is a more active person, then this alternative therapy is ideal for treating substance abuse and addiction. Adventure therapy helps in self reflection, so the patient can work through their addiction in a more active manner. Adventure therapy consists of activities, such as a hiking, ropes course, playing games, camping etc.⁽¹⁶⁾

   The manner of participating in the adventure activities can give a useful insight into the patient’s life, such as what is causing the addiction and how to overcome it. Additionally adventure therapy also helps in building different life skills which also helps with the recovery process.

Despite the success of alternative therapies in treating and managing substance abuse, there still remains controversy among recovery professionals whether the alternative treatments are good enough or sufficient on their own. The overall conclusion was that alternative treatments are highly effective when used in conjunction with conventional treatment and is beneficial for those patients who are in recovery to better manage their initial phases of sobriety.

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