Alternative Drug and Alcohol Detox Programs

In today’s age of enlightened medicine, many people are turning to alternative medicine for answers to many modern problems. One of the problems that people miss is alternative medicine for drug and alcohol detox. Eastern medicine has been detoxifying the body for centuries using a variety of methods. Fortunately, these methods also work for drug and alcohol detox programs. Some of these alternative therapies are accepted by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, as a way to treat the problem of addiction.

Acupuncture

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, acupuncture may help those struggling with opiate and opioid addiction. This treatment involves inserting tiny needles into pressure points along the skin. The points and how many needles are inserted depend on the type of addiction. Acupuncture is an ancient art that should only be performed by qualified specialists. A recent study showed a decrease in relapse rates among patients who received acupuncture.

Electroacupuncture

Yoga reduces stress and addictive behaviors.

A relatively new procedure is electroacupuncture and according to sources, it can help to stop alcohol addiction. According to the journal Neurochemical Research, this is a very promising treatment. Like normal acupuncture, it uses pressure points but instead of using the traditional needles, they use electricity.

Massage

Massage is a wonderful way to relax but it is also a great way to calm the stress experienced when you are in detox and withdrawal. Many traditional treatment centers offer massage to help with the cramps, muscle tension, and other symptoms associated with withdrawal. Massage also helps to circulate the blood which facilitates the removal of toxins.

Yoga

Yoga teaches you to focus on the body, mind, and breathing associated with stressful reactions as well as other physical issues. It is often useful in reducing tension and reducing addictive behavior. Yoga is useful even after you are in recovery to center the mind and condition the body.

Rieki

Rieki is more of a mystical practice than a physical one. It started in Japan and focuses on controlling the energies around the body and mind. A practitioner lays their hands on different points of the body, then redirects the energy of the addict to where they need it. This is said to reduce anxiety, depression, and many of the other symptoms of addiction.

Spiritual Counseling

Spirituality and spiritual counseling is often offered with alternative and traditional detox treatments. No matter what religion or what the belief, the counseling is usually nondenominational and helpful for dealing with the problems with detox and withdrawal.

Meditation

Meditation is a way to center the mind and reduce anxiety. There are both guided and individual forms of meditation. Some facilities even offer group meditation where a single guide gives people instructions as the others in the group listen and focus. Most meditation techniques focus on find and relieving the stressors that cause the addiction.

Alternative treatments are now more accepted than ever. Many traditional treatment centers offer alternative treatments as a support for their traditional therapies. For more information on both alternative treatments and centers that offer them call 800-996-6135(Who Answers?) .

Sources

1. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2015). A Form of Acupuncture May Help in Opioid Addiction.
2. Neurochemical Research. (2008). Electroacupuncture reduces voluntary alcohol intake in alcohol-preferring rats via an opiate-sensitive mechanism.