This is guest blog for Recovery Proud
Can Alternative Treatments Help You Recover from Addiction?
If you’re in recovery for addiction, chances are you’ve contemplated whether you should seek alternative treatments. At the same time, you may not be aware of what alternative options are out there and whether they will work for you. Try taking these steps—which include meditating and using technology—to uncover the truth about alternative treatments and your recovery.
Learn More About Alternative Options
While addiction isn’t a new struggle, alternative recovery methods are relatively new when it comes to treating addiction. These alternative methods are challenging the norms around rehabilitation for addicts. If you’re wondering what alternative options are out there, do a little research. Go online and find articles about alternative treatments. Research each option thoroughly and be aware of dangers. Above all, consult your healthcare or treatment provider before you explore alternative treatments yourself.
Focus on Fitness
Looking into alternative options is one way to take charge of your treatment, but staying active is a simpler method of enhancing your recovery experience. The endorphins that exercise produces will help improve your mood and energy levels. You can formulate a workout plan by joining a gym, taking a group class, like yoga, or streaming some workouts on YouTube at home. Keep track of your fitness progress with a smartwatch like the Apple Watch Series 5, which will be arriving in stores soon. It can detect falls, monitor your heart rate, and even call for help in an emergency. On the Android side, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 automatically tracks your workouts and features a built-in GPS.
Keep Mental Health a Priority
Addiction often stems from a mental health issue, a reaction to stress or an unresolved past trauma. That’s why you should be sure to include mental health treatments in your overall recovery plan. Set up sessions with a mental health provider and open up to them about any issues you have been experiencing. Sometimes, trauma can be buried but can still cause problems. It takes time to uncover these traumas and curtail any remaining anxieties or pain. Take your therapy session seriously and use your own methods to care for your mental health.
Eliminate Negative Triggers
Alternative or traditional, your treatment plan should take triggers into account. Triggers can evoke emotions and experiences that can lead you to use again. For addicts, triggers can be a familiar place where they used or a scent that reminds them of old times. A cigarette can make you want a cocktail, or passing by a bar can make you want a beer. Even feelings like boredom and stress can be triggers for recovering addicts. Identify these negative influences in your life and take steps to eliminate them. Make stress relief a focus of your trigger cleanse.
Make Meditation a Habit
One alternative treatment that has gained traction in recovery programs is meditation. Meditation is undeniably beneficial for anyone seeking more mindfulness in their lives. Regular meditation can help those in recovery relieve stress and focus on staying sober. You can set up a meditation space in your home with a few simple supplies. Pick a spot that is void of noise or distractions. Use a meditation app to help get you in the habit and practice completely clearing your mind during these sessions.
Be Ready to Re-Evaluate Your Treatment
Part of any recovery is figuring out what works and what doesn’t. Relapse is common in recovery, so don’t be discouraged if it happens to you. Take this as a sign that your treatment needs some adjustment. Perhaps adding alternative treatments could help you get back on track. Or maybe you need to adjust parts of your life, like your diet or circle of friends. Staying informed of all your options will make this process easier when the time comes.
Playing an active role in your recovery is the key to attaining sobriety. By looking into alternative treatments, you are taking control of your treatment and taking control of your success.
Photo Credit: Pixabay
