Holistic Treatment for Alcoholism

Holistic treatment for alcoholism has become very popular. It’s widely advertised and promoted.

You may have attended Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and found that it didn’t help you. You’re not alone. In fact, most people who attend AA find that it doesn’t help them either. Only about one of every twenty members finds success after one year.

You might be considering holistic treatment for alcoholism. It attempts to heal the whole person (mind, body and spirit). It focuses on treating the person rather than the alcoholism. The drinking which is often seen as a symptom of underlying problems.

Holistic treatment for alcoholism tailors therapies for each client. Medications may be used in some programs. But the emphasis is on natural healing. Often holistic programs reject AA’s 12 steps or any version of them.

If you attend a holistic retreat, you are likely to find massage therapy, nutritional therapy, acupuncture, meditation and spirituality available. However, overall, holistic programs provide a wide variety of therapies or treatments. If you are interested in any of the following or others, you can easily find retreats offering some of them.

  • Experiential Therapy.
  • Equine Therapy.
  • Exercise Therapy.
  • Eye Movement Desensitization Programming.
  • Guided Imagery.
  • Hair Elements Analysis.
  • Herbal Therapy.
  • Homeopathy.
  • Hypnosis.
  • Karate.
  • Kudzu Therapy.
  • Life Coaching.
  • Light and Sound Neurotherapy.
  • Massage Therapy.
  • Meditation.
  • Motivational Interviewing.
  • Music therapy.
  • Narcotics Anonymous.
  • Neuro-Linguistic Therapy.
  • Orthomolecular Treatment.
  • Positive Approach Therapy.
  • Psychotherapy.
  • Reiki.
  • Spirituality.
  • Transformational Therapy.
  • Yoga.

Holistic treatment for alcoholismHolistic programs tend to operate in spa-like, luxury facilities. They’re often located in beautiful resort areas. It appears that holistic spas offer those therapies that are most in demand. They don’t choose them based on effectiveness. Indeed, of those listed above, only motivational interviewing, has shown effectiveness in helping people achieve sobriety. And motivational interviewing doesn’t require attending any residential facility.

They’re ineffective in helping people achieve sobriety. But equine therapy (interacting with horses), massage, yoga, meditation, music and dance may be enjoyable in and of themselves. However, if you want help with a drinking problem, it’s important to select a program with a meaningful chance of success.

References

  • Agne, C., & Paolucci, K. A Holistic Health Approach to an Alcoholic
    Treatment Program. J Drug Ed, 1982, 12(2), 137-144.
  • Bartha, R., & Davis, T. Holism and high level wellness in the treatment of alcoholism. J Alc Drug Ed, 1982, 28(1), 28-31.
  • Dell, C.A, et al. Resiliency and holistic inhalant abuse treatment. J Aborig Health, 2005 (March), 1-12
  • Ellis, G.A., & Corum. P. Removing the motivator: a holistic solution to substance abuse. Alc Treat Q, 1994, 11(3-4), 271-296.
  • McDonough, R. L.., and Russell, L. Alcoholism in women: a holistic care model. J Ment Health Counsel, 1994, 16(4), 459-474.
  • McGee, E.M. A.A. and nursing: lessons in holism and spiritual care. J Holistic Nurs, 2000, 18(1), 11-26.
  • Myers, J.E., et al.  The wheel of wellness counseling for wellness: a holistic model for treatment planning. J Counseling Devel, 2000, 78(3), 251-266.
  • Nebelkopf, E. Holistic programs for the drug addict & alcoholic. J Psycho Drugs, 1981, 13(3), 345-351.
  • Priester, E., et al. The frequency of prayer, meditation and
    holistic interventions in addictions treatment. Pastoral Psych, 2009, 58(3), 315-322.
  • Rioux, D. Shamanic healing techniques: toward holistic addiction
    counseling. Alc Treat Q, 1996, 14(1), 59-69.
Other Resources

Disclaimer: This website is informational only. It makes no suggestions or recommendations about alcohol, drinking, rehabs, programs, or any other matter and none should be inferred. Neither this website nor your host receives any compensation, directly or indirectly, from listing or describing any program. Such listing or description does not imply endorsement. [+]

Filed Under: Treating Alcoholism: General Approaches