Alternative Addiction Treatments: What Will Really Work for You?

Are you looking for an easy way to cure your addiction? Unfortunately, there is no simple solution to recover from a reliance on alcohol or drugs. Alternative treatments may seem promising, but you need to know what will truly work for you. Sometimes you should seek out other therapies, and sometimes you may need to avoid them. To balance out your recovery, keep these points in mind. 

Always Research Your Options

When it comes to your healthcare, it’s best to stay in the know. Addiction recovery is a form of healthcare, so make sure you fully understand your treatment. Ask questions and spend some time researching topics on your own. If you’re thinking about trying an alternative treatment, get more information so you can make an informed decision about your recovery. Try to remember: If it seems to good or easy to be true, it probably isn’t.

 

 

Avoid Risky Alternative Methods

Alternative treatment often involves experimental and unproven practices. You may be encouraged to use supplements, or even LSD, in hopes to cure your addiction. While there are claims that these methods could help, there is still a lot of debate as to their long-term effectiveness in treating addiction. Some think the use of psychedelic drugs could do more harm than good. So it may be best to avoid these extreme treatments during your recovery. Even seemingly harmless supplements can cause severe side effects or interact with other medications and vitamins you are taking. 

Consult Your Provider(s) About Any Treatment

The most effective addiction treatments are rooted in medical knowledge. Addiction is a condition that impacts your mind and body, so you should always seek the advice of physicians and counselors to make the most of your recovery. Alcohol and substance abuse can wreak havoc on your physical health, so schedule regular medical checkups with your doctor. Cognitive therapy should also play a role in your recovery to resolve any underlying issues or traumas. When considering alternative treatments, consult your healthcare providers to determine the safety of any supplements, activities, or therapies. 

Use Self-Care to Reduce Stress

Whether you turn to traditional recovery treatments such as inpatient rehab or alternative methods, reducing stress should be part of any plan. Stress can act as a serious trigger, causing you to use drugs or alcohol again. Practice self-care to help drive your stress away. Leave time in your day to decompress from work, social strains, or even though treatment days. Meditate for a few minutes in a quiet space in your home. Pick up some tension taming hobbies, like coloring or knitting, and always set aside a few moments to just do nothing and relax. 

Nurture Positive Connections

Whether it’s your treatment options or your friends, avoiding negative influences will help you stay clean. If an activity or relationship causes you to want to use again, you need to consider giving it up. Recovery should be a space for positive thoughts and productivity. You cannot take care of yourself, or recover from your addiction if you continue to connect with negative people or pastimes. If you want to stay clean, be sure to clean up all areas of your life. 

Complement Your Treatment 

There’s a big difference between alternative and complementary addiction treatments. Alternative treatments often seek to replace traditional options, such as medical care and therapy. Complementary treatments work to enhance the effectiveness of these proven, traditional recovery care options. It may be in your best interest to avoid the alternative treatments and use any additional remedies to complement your rehabilitation. Taking care of your mental and physical health can be stressful, but it’s the only way to truly get to the root of your addiction, and the only way to truly treat your issues. 

 

Addiction is a serious problem that requires serious treatment. There are no instant cures or remedies to help you stay clean, but alternative treatment may be able to help you stay calm during rehabilitation. Take an active role in your recovery by educating yourself about your treatment options, choosing the best plan that works for you, and staying positive every step of the way. Overcoming addiction isn’t easy, but it is something you can accomplish! 
Author

Kimberly Hayes enjoys writing about health and wellness and created PublicHealthAlert.info to help keep the public informed about the latest developments in popular health issues and concerns. In addition to studying to become a crisis intervention counselor, Kimberly is hard at work on her new book, which discusses the ins and outs of alternative addiction treatments.