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Holistic Medicine: Truly Healthy or Latest Fad?

December 29th, 2011 | 1 Comment

 

A survey of new techniques in treatment of alcoholism and addiction inevitably leads to the emergence of holistic medicine as a complementary approach for a variety of programs.  From drug- court mandated acupuncture, to a staff naturopath at many higher end rehabs, the presence of holistic medicine comes in many forms and serves many functions.  In what ways (and at what cost) are these alternative treatments proving effective?

Acupuncture:  Perhaps the most widespread form of alt. therapy is acupuncture.  Rather than representing a new trend in the field of medicine, acupuncture practitioners are carrying on an ancient Eastern tradition and bring it to new settings.  I found a substantial trove of information on the use of acupuncture and discovered auricular (or ear based) treatments seem to present the most widespread practice in the field.  The Lincoln Clinic in New York experienced an array of benefits adding acupuncture to their 12-step, therapy and urine-testing based program.  According to their long term observation, “The primary value of acupuncture, however, is that its immediate effect is often a cessation of withdrawal symptoms, encouraging patients to come again for treatment in the future.”  Unfortunately a mitigating view comes from a study of cocaine users conducted by researchers from Ivy League universities.  They found absolutely no difference between the control group (given random needle placement), the actual acupuncture group and group who merely watched calming videos.  Although the cocaine users in that study were not affected, a similar study involving heroin abusers found that their withdrawal symptoms were diminished with needles (perhaps somewhat ironically).  Overall the message about the effectiveness of acupuncture seems to be this – the treatment can help with the immediate physical symptoms of drug withdrawal, as in the case of opiates – yet as a broader cure for cravings and the overall symptoms of addiction, it seems to be lacking.  Certainly not the miracle solution some would seem to suggest, at least insofar as chronic alcoholism’s concerned.

Yoga:  Another ancient practice thought to have important benefits for those in the recovery community, Yoga actually embodies a variety of different techniques or forms.  Each of these can offer their own sets of potential benefits.  Kundalini yoga, for instance, centers on rigorous breathing exercises and can activate the same endorphins that exercise and physical exertion release, all of which have been proven beneficial to the brain chemistry of someone coming off of drugs or alcohol.  On a deeper level the group that seems to gain the most from yogic practices is the segment of the population who hold a deep dissatisfaction with life, and addicts certainly fit that description.  In addressing this view the practices of yoga can be similar to the steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, emphasizing more constructive ways of self-talk and views of the environment.  Another additional benefit is that the yoga community itself can be a healing mechanism for the addict seeking a place they can feel comfortable.  Other than the rooms of Anonymous programs there are few places where the anxiety ridden addict can feel at ease: the yoga studio provides one.  Research in the benefits of yogic practice for recovery has shown potential for the practice when integrated into traditional therapies, serving as a connecting force between the mind, body, and spirit.  For those suffering with addiction almost any help in achieving such unity can be a welcome aid indeed.

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Eric originally hails from the snowy climes of Maine, and began using alcohol and other drugs regularly at the age of fifteen. Over the years his addiction has taken him from college to prison, and all across the United States and Canada. Today Eric works part time as a writer at T4A, and plans on attending school once again, this time to achieve Certification in Alcohol and Drug Counseling. He stays sober a day at a time and enjoys living in Los Angeles, especially during the winter months!

Filed under: Addiction, Drugs, Latest News, Recovery, Treatment

  • dodyudia

    THE NEW METHODS OF HEALING THE DRUGS AND NARCOTICS ADDICTION

    Drugs Against Drugs, accelerate healing or new addictive? That doctrine which is known in Indonesia and even the medical world around the world, which means the drugs can not be cured except by drugs. Approximately this explanation, that the patient’s drug dependence is very difficult to cure or treat except using drugs as well, in this case the substitution as a cure. I am not agree with that doctrin !!!
    We are in Indonesia, many have problems with drug addiction and illicit drugs. For us, the completion of many medical constrained economic conditions most addicts are on average lower middle class. So that the herbalist had long since we conducted research to find a herbal remedy with some conditions:
    Not a substitute drug such as Methadone or other synthetic drugs that can cause a new addiction. Produce effective and total recovery. The cost of treatment affordable. And the simple and humane (can be done by the patient and or family at home) without isolation, and detox. Herbals detoxify toxins in the body of narcotic addicts with removing it via feces, urine and sweat.
    And today, herbal medicine was found and has been tested by the National Narcotics Agency successfully. If a national publication was never done, it’s only because a lot of interests between Modern Medical Treatment and traditional herbs that can not be reconciled.
    Though herbal medicines is independent. No matter addicts consume drugs every day, only on condition that each day is also taking this herbal medicine, it is guaranteed a minimum of 30-45 days after taking the herbs then the desire to consume narcotics addicts will decrease. This herbal remedy such antibodies in the body to reject the consumption of narcotic addicts. Up to a point where addicts no longer want to consume drugs at all then this herbal medicine can also discontinued its use.

    The nature of Herbal Anti-Narcotics :
    1. Herbal anti-narcotics to treat a variety of drug cases with more humane because without the need to be isolated. Addicts are still free to normal activity, only to be monitored regularly drink herbal anti-narcotics.
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    3. With HERBAL anti-narcotics, drug addicted patients do not need to be forced to stop taking drugs, but by itself will stop because its effect is replaced by a herbal anti-narcotics, just need the will to quit.
    4. Herbal anti-narcotics addicted able to relieve the conditions experienced by drug users. For injecting drug users in addition to types of Methadone, Herbal anti-narcotics reaction will work faster.
    5. Several other positive effects of taking Herbal Anti-Narcotics can be felt with the Toilet to be normal, increased weight, sleep patterns return to normal, feeling aches that felt lost and some HIV positive people with increasing in his CD4 cell count.
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