Treating any kind of addiction is difficult. There are so many variables involved that one may never know which type of treatment is right for a particular situation. It can be relatively safe to say that aside from the standard forms of treatment (drugs, therapy, and support groups), natural treatments are now joining the more mainstream types of drugs. Below are 9 natural ways to curb and relieve addiction worth considering.
1. Meditation/Mindfulness
There are many 12-step programs that recommend meditation/mindfulness to prevent having a relapse. Practicing mindfulness helps substance abusers to become more aware of what is happening in their mind and body. The more aware they are the better equipped they will be to apply certain techniques to curb their addictions.
2. Biochemical Restoration and Nutrition
This is an attempt to repair the biochemical imbalances that may be causing the cravings, depression, and other emotions that can be triggers to addictive activity. This is usually done through diets that add more neurotransmitters to the brain and provide more nutrients, amino acids, and other beneficial vitamins to your diet.
3. Yoga
Yoga, in general, teaches bodily awareness and helps to release pent-up energy and emotions. It is a means of bringing the body and mind back together through a series of breathing exercises, which link everything to the circulatory system to help with detoxification.
4. Exercise
Regular exercise is a great way to boost one's mood. It gives the person a sense of purpose and provides a natural high without the drugs.
5. Acupuncture
Acupuncture is very effective in helping the patient get through the stress and pain associated with detox. It helps control craving and reduces pain by stimulating certain acu-points in the body.
6. Pet Therapy
Recovering patients can get a lot of relief by focusing their mind and energy on something outside of themselves. Giving them the responsibility to care for a pet has a powerful affect that cultivates a better understanding of what it means to nurture.
7. Gardening
Like pet therapy, gardening promotes a higher sense of well-being. It gives the patients the role of caring for other living things and works well at lowering aggression and improving their overall self-esteem.
8. Virtual Reality Therapy
This is a form of exposure to real-life situations that give patients the ability to stimulate all kinds of sensory experience. It is very effective in teaching them how to avoid people, places, and situations that could trigger drug use.
9. Art Therapy
Finally, the last of the 9 natural ways to curb and relieve addiction is art therapy. The key to this technique is that it stimulates sensory experience. Whether it is music or art, it encourages patients to go outside of themselves and care for something or someone else.
While finding alternative treatments for addiction is a challenge, there are many out there that have proven effective for recovering patients. While these 9 natural ways to curb and relieve addiction have yielded positive results, they are certainly not the only ones. With a little research you'll find that there are many more methods you can try that can work on addictions on their own or in conjunction with other forms of treatment.