Alternative Treatments For Drug Addiction

Updated on August 24, 2022

Humans are rational beings and have free will to make choices. It isn’t any wonder then that people who are addicted to drugs and other substance abuse are oftentimes misjudged for lacking the strong will to resist this addiction right at the onset.  While the judgment can be valid, there are many factors that predispose one to addiction. Drugs are not at all harmful when properly prescribed and regulated. But when taken illegally or more than what was prescribed, the problem can start from there.

Is there anyone you know who struggles and is still struggling to battle drug addiction? Is there any way out to this far cry battle? Can one recover and still lead a productive life after the hook to addiction?

Let us first describe drug addiction and the effect it has physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and even spiritually.

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Drug Addiction 

This is defined as a chronic, physiological or psychological disorder manifested by the compulsive seeking of the habit-forming substance that only more of that substance can satisfy. The urge to stop is so hard that people addicted opt to its’ continued use regardless of the adverse repercussions. Initially, substance abuse is done voluntarily. According to NIDA, people take drugs in order to feel good for pleasure purposes, to feel better due to stress-provoking situations, to do better for the sake of improving performance such as in sports and out of curiosity or peer pressure. As the adage goes, curiosity kills the cat. Hence, let us determine the effects of drug addiction.

Effects of Drug Addiction

Decline in Health

Addiction can affect a person’s long- and short-term health. Addiction induces a lack of concern for personal hygiene. It can also lead to hypertension and breathing problems. Moreover, the most alarming effect of addiction is that it can destroy your brain. It impairs your learning, judgment, memory and decision making. If untreated, it can even result in death.

Regulation is Hard to Resist

Despite the knowledge that addiction is harmful to the body, according to Medsnews.com one can hardly regulate the urge to use the substance over and over. With continued use, it can seriously impair a person’s ability to exercise self-control making quitting seems next to impossible, even for those who want to.

Unexplained Change in Personality and Social Relationship

Addiction diminishes a person’s motivation to accomplish a task may it be at home, school or work. They tend to be irritable, agitated and want to isolate themselves from people.

Gets You into Trouble

Due to impaired self-control, one will do everything to satisfy the urge even to the point of lying and stealing. Since brain functioning is altered, one can do risky activities such as driving under the influence which is punishable by the law unless you can get a DUI lawyer in Phoenix to successfully defend you. Worst is, one can possibly do crimes and harm other people without the intention to do so. Making one prone to face legal charges. If you click here thefloridatriallawyer.com professionals explain that drug abuse, even with the adults, is a crime.

Alternative Treatments For Drug Addiction

It is said that drug addiction is a family disease because one person may use it but the whole family suffers the effect. However, a strong support system from family members can go a long way to help one recover from addiction. The road to recovery will not be a bed of roses but alternative treatments are available to complement the medical treatments available. If you or any of your loved ones need outpatient treatment, please consider alternative treatments to complement a recovery program.

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Animal Assisted Therapy

Pets are great companions when people face tough and trying times. The bond between animals and humans provides therapeutic effects that could help one recover at a faster rate. Animal-assisted therapy is an alternative treatment plan that involves animals. Most of the common animals that help in the therapy are dogs (canine-assisted therapy) or horses (equine-assisted therapy). To maximize the benefit of this therapy, there must be specific therapeutic goals, strategies, and outcome measures. Activities such as establishing bonding with the animal, taking care of it, bathing it, cuddling, and walking with it can help develop a sense of empowerment for the client. At St. John’s Recovery Place, they incorporate Animal-assisted therapy into their recovery program. The therapists will also help clients process the experiences before, during, and after spending time with the animals. 

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Art Therapy

Art is a powerful form of self-expression that is therapeutic and relaxing. It is an experiential therapy that uses tools such as paint, crayon, pencil, pens, clay, beads, yarn, paper and many more. Clients who will undergo this session don’t have to be exceptionally talented for them to benefit from it. Emotional wounds that scarred the hearts of people who underwent addiction can be very deep and may remain underneath their hearts. Art speaks where words are unable to explain. Hence, the focus of art therapy is more on the art created and the responses that can be generated from it afterward. Doing an artwork enables one to express the true mirrors of their mind. Letting the clients release those unearthed emotions deep inside can be phenomenal. Therapists can help generate these emotional responses after the artwork sessions

Music Therapy

Music can somehow heal the wounds that medicine cannot touch. It can find its way to the secret places of the soul. Where words fail, music can speak. It reignites the creativity of a person and helps set positive vibes, making it also a powerful tool for recovery. In music therapy, clients are given the opportunity to listen to music, play instruments, and write or arrange music. Being in a music therapy program enables one to release their energy while playing an instrument, cultivate creativity in writing music, foster interaction with other musicians.

These are just some of the alternative therapies St. John’s Recovery Place and substance abuse treatment center Texas incorporates into their recovery program. Recovery is not a one size fits all approach. It is achieved through various different approaches to therapy.

Credits

Kevin’s vast experience in the recovery field benefits patients, families and the team at St. John’s Recovery Place. Having worked in direct patient care, administration, and management at three different facilities, he is well positioned to help bring best practices in the treatment of substance abuse and addiction to St. John’s Recovery Place. His additional experience in finance, insurance, managed care, and marketing is a definite plus. In Kevin’s words “I have a passion for helping individuals start on the path to recovery and learn how to maintain a clean and sober life. We know that addiction affects everyone in the person’s sphere, especially families and close friends, and I want to do all that I can to offer education and support to them.”

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