Drug addicts who have tried and failed traditional sobriety treatments often feel defeated and hopeless in their attempts to stop their drug abuse. But there are plenty of alternative treatments available. All of them, some of them or just one of them might work. It is worth a try to overcome something that is ruining your life.
Biofeedback
Biofeedback measures bodily processes, including blood pressure, heart rate, skin temperature, skin response and muscle tension to make a person aware of these functions and consciously control them. Biofeedback was found to relieve stress and anxiety for methadone patients by researchers at a University of Colorado drug rehabilitation program and reported in the Jan. 8, 1978, issue of The International Journal of the Addictions. It was effective in substituting biofeedback exercises for opiates. It also helped with insight into behavior.
Cognitive Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy has been increasing in practice in recent years to treat emotional problems as well as alcohol and drug addiction. The therapy has been effective in changing habits and the way addicts think about themselves and their addiction, explains Addiction Recovery. Cognitive behavioral therapy works by having people examine their thoughts, which create their feelings and behaviors. By changing the way they think, they can change their actions, advocates of cognitive therapy believe.
Meditation and Self-Esteem Building
Guided meditation and positive affirmations help some addicts end their drug addiction, according to Project-meditation.org. These therapies that work on self-esteem through counseling help to improve confidence and reprogram the thought patterns. New values and a sense of worth are instilled in the mind through meditation techniques.
Holistic Therapy
Eastern methods of healing and Western psychotherapy are combined to teach recovering addicts how to assess their emotions and manage associated distress. Thoughts can cause distressing physical sensations. Holistic therapy helps people identify negative thoughts that lead to depression, anxiety and addictive behavior.
Nutritional Supplements
Herbs and nutritional supplements are often recommended to combat withdrawal symptoms and assist recovering addicts. A 2007 study by Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland, focused on patients with chronic drug addiction problems who were offered nutritional treatment during their detoxification and maintenance stages. Of the 31 patients, 29 agreed to use the supplements. After 12 weeks of treatment and follow-up, the people who used the supplements had less craving for drugs, according to more negative than positive urine samples, it was reported in Focus Alternative Complementary Therapy. They were able to relieve their psychological symptoms of anxiety, depression and sleep disorders, and reduce their drug use. The supplements included a combination of multivitamins, vitamin B6, amino acids, calcium citrate, magnesium oxide and lysinate, bio-gamma linoleic acid, L-glutamine, tyrosine and D-phenylalanine.
Motivation Therapy
Some programs use behavioral strategies, spiritual approaches and motivation to help drug addicts begin new lives. Social rehabilitation, changes in risk behavior and life skills are taught to help with the successful withdrawal of addiction and to promote new, healthful lifestyles. The methods in motivational programs varies. They are designed to improve self-esteem so the reformed addict can focus on productive living.
