Friday, June 24, 2016

A Natural Approach to Addiction Recovery by Helen Bootle

[The following article was sent to me and I think it can help many people.  Helen, thank you for sharing your work. Love and light- ]

Depending on the nature of one’s addiction to alcohol or drugs, doctors sometimes recommend medication. This is because medications such as Suboxone and methadone have been found useful to ease the crippling withdrawal symptoms that arise when one attempts to quit drugs such as heroin and opioid medications. While there is no doubt that addiction is a complex matter that often requires a team of professionals to address its different components, many persons attempting to quit less powerful addictions (such as smoking or habitual drug use) prefer to try a natural, homeopathic approach.
While those under the throes of addiction should always seek professional help, the following are a few natural methods that many have found useful for quelling stress during the long road to recovery. Some of the most successful methods include:
  • Homeopathy: Those in recovery have often used drugs to mask repressed feelings they dare not address. Because homeopathy is meant to unblock the system and aid us to release pent up emotions, it is an ideal remedy for addiction. Some of the most common homeopathic remedies include avena sativa (obtained from the leaves of the oat plant, this dilution is a powerful detox aid that also reduces the side-effects of withdrawal, including headaches, fatigue, and nausea); arsenicum (another powerful detoxifier that is often used for the delirium tremens that occur during alcohol withdrawal); cannabis indica (which soothes headaches and psychological trauma); and nux vomica (a well known remedy for alcohol withdrawal owing to its ability to quell tremors). If you are considering homeopathic remedies, consult your doctor to ensure there are no dangerous interactions with any medication you may be taking.
  • Neurofeedback: This groundbreaking method involves attaching EEG sensors to the head, in order to observe the brain’s activity. Trained therapists can help alter these brain waves to promote a state of greater concentration and relaxation. It can also lower arousal, which is vital when it comes to keeping anxiety levels down. One of the most fascinating things about this technology is that it enables the therapist and patient alike to view the effect the therapy is having on a patient’s brain activity, in real time.
  • Nutrition: A healthy diet centered on healthy lean meat, nuts and legumes and organic fruits and vegetables can help rid the body of toxins and promote better functioning of the immune system and the different organs, which can be compromised after various years of alcoholism or substance abuse. Vitamin supplementation may also be necessary in the case of those suffering from malnutrition.
  • Pet Therapy: Pet therapy is one of the most useful when it comes to battling serious conditions associated with stress, including Postraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Often carried out with the aid of dogs, this therapy lowers levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) and enables a recovering addict to enjoy the company of a loving being who will not judge or blame them. The company of pets also fosters a healthy state of mindfulness (or being ‘in the here and now’), a state that addicts can find very hard to achieve. When we are content to be in the present moment, we do not feel the need to escape tension and worry through the use of mind altering substances.
  • Mindful Meditation: There are many ways we can encourage a state of mindfulness, even on our own. The Internet is an excellent source of free mindfulness based activities which can last for as little as 10 minutes yet have a significant effect on our mood and wellbeing.
  • Horticultural Therapy: Gardening is another activity which is proving very popular in top rehabilitation centers across the globe. Gardening is another excellent stress buster and mindfulness booster, which is why it is also used with children with ADHD and with elderly persons with Alzheimer’s.
  • Yoga: Yoga, also carried out as part of rehabilitation programs at top clinics and centers, involves the performance of asanas, pranayamic (controlled) breathing, and the fostering of mindfulness. This ancient activity is one of the most suitable activities for those in rehabilitation, because of its proven anti-anxiety effects and the fact that it can be adapted to all fitness levels. Yoga also lowers the blood pressure and heart rate, making panic attacks less likely even during the trying time that is recovery.
Further Reading:

5 comments:

Raymond said...

That is a good article. I am sure it will help many people.

Leslie said...

More people need to question what their doctor, CDC, AMA & FDC recommends and turn to natural healing methods which are encouraged and covered by insurance in many socialized european countries because they work and significantly lower health care costs while increasing quality of life. Since Dr. Starfield's study in 2000

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2000/07/30/doctors-death-part-one.aspx

until today, the US medical system has continually been the 3rd leading cause of death.

https://chriskresser.com/medical-care-is-the-3rd-leading-cause-of-death-in-the-us/
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2016/05/18/medical-errors-death.aspx

Leslie said...

Opps, I meant FDA not FDC. There should be an edit button.

joy said...

I always suspect,...addiction is actually a demonic possession. So are those doing serial killings,(some evil entity is doing the killings thru a person.) those that overeat until they are 900 pounds,(some evil entity is eating thru them.) There are those unseen demonic creatures being described as "murder entity"; rape entity; and all other kinds of entities that prey on and possess egocentric humans,..such as when they are down when they are drunk, in a fit of anger, those that do not guard their thoughts.,or those that got into massive accidents where their spiritbody left for a sec...

Sometimes, I also suspect that malevolent entities, such as the djinn from the middle east,...follow a certain familial line, and for generations will wreck relationships, health, businesses and whatever there is to destroy within that family structure.
Anyway,...........My thoughts are,...if these were true, no amount of natural or unnatural healing modality would really eradicate this human problem.

Lynn, do you mind sharing your information on this...? Thanks.

Lynn White, Focus Sessions said...

@Joy: Thanks for the comment. In some cases I see that could be true. In others I see it as karma or a manifestation of something else (guilt, self-esteem, etc). It really depends on the individual..

This was a good article. I see this being helpful or posing an alternate view to this serious problem.