No two addiction cases are identical, and no two addiction treatment plans will be the same. What works for one person might only be half as effective for someone else. This does not mean that the treatment plan is inherently flawed, but that each person requires a treatment plan as unique as they are.
A truly balanced treatment plan won’t focus solely on healing the body of its physical addiction and resulting symptoms but will also address the full spectrum of a person’s health—mind, heart, soul and life. A whole-person approach also addresses employment issues, relationships and worldview.
Integrating holistic methodologies into an addiction treatment plan is one of the most effective ways to cultivate a rehabilitation program that will foster long-term sobriety in the individual. A whole-person treatment plan can be particularly effective for veterans as they experience trauma and challenges that are directly related to their military service, which can greatly impact their ability to reintegrate after their service ends.
Today we’re going to take a closer look at the elements of veteran addiction, as well as identify the best types of holistic addiction treatment for veterans.
What is holistic treatment?
Holistic treatment is a healthcare approach that prioritizes the full-spectrum health of the individual, as opposed to treating their symptoms in isolation. Also known as holistic medicine or holistic therapy, this methodology addresses the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of a person’s well-being, understanding that every area of our health is interconnected with each other.
Whether for substance abuse, or mental or behavioral health issues, holistic treatment can benefit anyone, including the men and women who have served our country.
Veteran addiction and holistic treatment
A few of the best types of holistic addiction treatment for veterans include nature therapy, animal therapy, nutritional therapy and fitness.
Nature therapy also referred to as green therapy or ecotherapy, recognizes the inherent health-boosting and healing properties of nature. This methodology revolves around integrating frequent “nature time” into your lifestyle, often without technological distractions.
Animal therapy, also referred to as pet therapy or animal-assisted therapy, is a therapeutic approach that involves spending time with animals to improve your overall well-being. Dogs, horses and dolphins are a few of the preferred animals selected for therapeutic settings due to their empathy and intelligence.
Nutritional therapy focuses on improving a person’s dietary habits, not just in the sense of the foods they’re consuming, but their mentality around and relationship with food overall. This is an essential part of recovery because what we eat not only plays a role in how we feel but in the state of our mental health as well.
Fitness and exercise have long been recognized for their various benefits on the mind and body, and this absolutely applies to veterans. Exercising on a regular basis improves mental and physical health, but can also serve as a hobby, a passion and a healthy coping mechanism.
If you or someone you know is struggling with unhealed military trauma, send us a message today.
Find a veteran program near you
Knowing where to begin with finding the right addiction treatment program for you can be challenging, but we’re here to help you figure it all out.
Here at Bluff Augusta, we’re a proud partner in the Veterans Affairs Community Care Network (VA-CCN), a chain of facilities pre-approved to accept veteran benefits.
Whether you’re searching for mental, behavioral or substance abuse treatment, partnering with the VA-CCN enables us to provide you with the timely and convenient access to the behavioral healthcare you deserve.
The ramifications of military trauma can be severe on the mind and the body, but you aren’t alone. Give yourself your best chance and send us a message today.
Take the first step today
Bluff Augusta specializes in providing evidence-based treatment to men and women struggling with addiction through our veteran-friendly treatment programs. Understanding the need for full-spectrum care, we offer a variety of conventional as well as holistic methodologies in order to help our clients heal not only their bodies but their hearts and minds as well.
No matter how long you’ve been struggling with substance use, it’s never too late to take the first step toward sobriety. Send us a message today.
Your safety, comfort and successful sobriety are our priorities. Even if you aren’t ready to enroll in one of our programs, we can provide you with resources or direction to take the next best step.
Send us a message or give us a call today to learn more about our holistic addiction treatment programs.
This content was originally published here.
