Alternative medicine has well made its way into the realm of what is considered more traditional medicine these days. In addition to proven therapies such as behavioral therapies and pharmaceuticals, treatment centers and practitioners are including experimental methods as supplements to hopefully improve progress even more.
What is considered in this category of experimental treatments? Things such as acupuncture, neurofeedback, horse therapy, hypnotherapy, biochemical restoration, water therapy, yoga, meditation, sound therapy, and ropes courses are all alternative options. One additional method that is still controversial and illegal in the United States, psychedelic drug therapy, has shown proven results in other countries. Their research shows it can notably reduce cravings and prevent relapse.
Many professionals in the industry are involved in an ongoing debate on whether these alternative methods can actually stand on their own in the face of treating addiction. While most can generally agree that such methods are a great add-on to more traditional practices, there’s still resistance to the idea that they can be curative on their own. Treatment experts especially see the value in these experimental methods in helping recovering addicts power through the early (and toughest) stages of sobriety.
Let’s take a look at a few alternative methods and their efficacy. Of course, we can’t cover everything you need should know about addiction, but we’re here to explore a few possible solutions.
Yoga and Meditation
Meditation is regarded as a great technique for recovering addicts to prevent relapse by promoting mindfulness and control over one’s thoughts, feelings, and actions. Not only is mindfulness meditation good for the mind, but studies show that it can even help the body detox of toxic chemicals that affect mood.
Yoga combines a kind of meditation, physical movement, and breathing techniques to create union amongst them and bring a sense of inner peace. Supporters of yoga as a form of alternative medicine for addiction recovery claim that this inner peace can help resist relapse as well as relieve stress, depression, and anxiety. Yogis believe in the power of their practice so much that they have created treatment programs and yoga retreats specifically for recovering substance abusers.
Pet Therapy
Studies have long shown the benefits of both petting an animal and caring for something outside of one’s self. Combining these two aspects, pet therapy is a great assistant to more traditional therapy for recovering addicts. Advocates of this method believe that through loving touch and care of an animal, patients can tap into their nurturing side, and thus, become better at nurturing themselves back into sobriety.
Spending time with pets produces lower levels of stress, reduction of depression or anxiety, lower heart rate and blood pressure, and even reduction of physical symptoms and pain. Advocates argue that even if these are the only results of pet therapy, these benefits actively ease some of the difficult symptoms of detox and recovery, making the process a bit easier.
Hallucinogens
While hallucinogenic drugs have been illegal in the United States for more than 40 years, there is recent research supporting that a few of these substances can actually have a positive effect in treating substance abuse disorders. The three psychedelics that have shown promising effects are MDMA, LSD, and psilocybin.
When using hallucinogenic drugs to treat addiction, the studies show that they can help to re-wire self-limiting thought, negative beliefs, and current moral values. When used under proper supervision, addicts and their counselors both report a reduction in cravings for the substance and a higher motivation to stay sober.
Because many psychedelics have a similar chemical structure to that of our naturally occurring neurotransmitters, they are thought to interact with brain receptors that play a role in addiction. Brain scans after use of hallucinogens show higher blood flow in areas that process emotions and elevate thinking. It is thought that this blood flow can improve open mindedness and break down self-involved thought cycles.
Of course, this remains a highly controversial method as possible outcomes may include negative experiences while under the influence or difficult flashbacks.
