Holistic drug rehab treatment centers are established as an alternative to traditional centers where 12-step programs and medication take center stage. In holistic facilities, programs offer natural healing techniques to remove the toxins built up from substance abuse. These treatment facilities are becoming increasingly popular. With an estimated 2.1 million hospital emergency room visits linked directly to drug and alcohol abuse, the need for successful substance abuse treatment centers is tremendous.

What to Expect from Holistic Treatment

A primary objective of holistic care is to treat substance abuse using a comprehensive approach that addresses the spiritual, mental, and physical challenges that lead to the problem. Recovery problems are designed to identify addiction triggers and to help patients stop using immediately. Treatment strategies include short-term solutions to stop addiction and a long-term plan for staying sober and drug-free.

While holistic drug treatment centers utilize holistic methods that are somewhat different than traditional treatment centers, they also rely on a more traditional and proven group and individual therapy so they can provide the best possible treatment program available.

Services include the following:
• Yoga
• Tai chi
• Acupuncture
• Meditation
• Nutritional Counseling
• Exercise
• Massage Therapy
• Art and Music Therapy

Customized Treatment Options

In an effort to serve patients based on individual needs and circumstances, holistic treatment is offered on an inpatient basis, as a part-time program, or on an outpatient basis. Other customized programs cater to gender, teens or religion. Treatment tailored to a specific homogenous group can offer advantages that other programs may not be able to address in a more diversified group setting.

Criteria for Selecting a Suitable Holistic Recovery Treatment Center

Selecting the right recovery and treatment center is an important decision. As is true with any critical choice we make in life, performing rigorous due diligence to select a top holistic center can mean the difference between success and relapse. It is noteworthy to mention that centers experience different success rates and can vary substantially. It makes sense to inquire about how the center tracks results and how they measure success. You will have to use your common sense when you evaluate this information since there is no doubt that each center will want to “spin” the results to make the most favorable impression.

Your research should include inquiries about the professional staff’s credentials. Pertinent research should include inquiries about staff education and experience. Therapists should be well educated with a minimum of a master’s degree in relevant fields of study such as behavioral science or social work.

Asking about the staff-to-patient ratio is also recommended. If this number is too high, shy patients may not get the attention they need in group therapy sessions. The other problem associated with high ratios is that centers may not be able to offer as many individualized sessions. Private consults with each patient are a necessary part of therapy and should be part of a treatment program.

It is worth noting that a review of brochures or the center’s website can be helpful for compiling a list of questions to ask a center representative. Getting details about specific treatment plans and how they work should be at the top of the list. Obtaining answers about how to detox will be managed without the use of drugs will set a prospective patient’s mind at ease since detox can be a frightening part of treatment.

Arrange a campus visit if possible. Some important information can only be retrieved in-person. Is the campus clean and modern? Is detoxification onsite or somewhere else? A common consensus indicates that it is better for patients to attend detoxification that is located in the main facility. Being on the main campus makes patients feel more support and does not give them the feeling that they are being pushed aside as they go through this challenging and frightening part of the process.

Follow-up and Support Services

Attending a treatment program is just the beginning of the healing process for substance abusers. Staying sober and drug-free is difficult when a patient returns to a normal schedule filled with stress and triggers that can contribute to a relapse. Ongoing support is mandatory so that a patient knows they have someone to talk to when the going gets tough. When selecting a treatment facility, it is crucial that the center has support for patients after they leave.

Conclusion

The decision to consider a holistic treatment center for substance abuse is a valid one. Using drugs to treat a substance abuser can lead to addiction to the drug being used for detox purposes in some cases. Taking this kind of change is unnecessary since a holistic approach is available and has been proven effective. Taking the first step can be difficult, but this important step opens up a door of hope. The life skills taught in a holistic treatment facility can be used by anyone to improve the quality of their life. This training is particularly helpful to patients who turned to drugs or alcohol to cope with stress in the past.