22 Oct The Pursuit of Pleasure: The Role of Holistic Therapy in Addiction Treatment

The Pursuit of Pleasure in American Society

Drug and alcohol addiction doesn’t always stem from anguish and painful experiences. We just want to be happy. In fact, the pursuit of happiness is one of our unalienable rights as human beings, as is oft quoted from the United States’ Declaration of Independence. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be happy, but oftentimes that pursuit of happiness can take a wrong turn when it turns into a pursuit of short-term pleasure, which has become somewhat of a cultural obsession in America.

Why do we need holistic therapy in addiction treatment?

To get rid of substance abuse addiction once and for all, treatment providers must address all aspects of healing, not just the symptoms of substance use disorder. The dictionary defines “holistic” as “characterized by comprehension of the parts of something as intimately interconnected and explicable only by reference to the whole.” The physical symptoms of substance use disorder are just the surface symptoms of a deeper problem, but they must be addressed in conjunction with other symptoms that are intricately connected to the addiction. That problem could be a mental illness/brain disorder such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Maybe it’s an emotional void or a spiritual problem that there is something is missing in one’s life. Whatever that deeper problem may be, holistic therapy helps clients to identify with and connect to the missing pieces of the puzzle.

Holistic Therapy: Substantial Satisfaction vs. Superficial Satisfaction

Holistic therapy means giving people a new set of lens through which they view life. It changes individuals’ attitudes about themselves, the world in which they live, and substantially broadens their horizons so they can discover healthy, fun alternatives that life has to offer them outside of drugs and alcohol. Addiction was a way of life, but now, addiction treatment will completely change that by transforming the philosophies which inform the way people make decisions about their careers, goals, and relationships.

Ultimately, change starts from within, and holistic therapy catalyzes that transformation with fun activities that awaken dormant talents within oneself. Holistic therapy also unlocks doors to spiritual virtues such as honesty and integrity, which turn a bleak existence into a truly meaningful life. It helps people to connect to a higher cause bigger than themselves and redirects their pursuit of happiness to a healthier route as opposed to the short-lived, fleeting moments of pleasure offered by drugs and alcohol.

Where can I find holistic therapy programs?

New Method Wellness, a premier dual diagnosis treatment center in San Juan Capistrano, CA, offers a wide array of quality holistic therapies and treatments, including (but not limited to) the following:

• Art therapy
• Meditation
• Yoga
• Massage therapy
• Nutritional counseling
• Wolf-assisted therapy
• Sand tray therapy
• Paddleboard therapy
• Surf therapy
• Equine therapy

Holistic therapies are alternative, or complementary, treatments used in integrated care that utilizes evidence-based practices such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, individual and group counseling, and drug and alcohol detoxification.

The success rates of New Method Wellness’s programs have gained nationwide recognition on platforms such as the critically acclaimed A & E’s Intervention and National Geographic. Often recommended by Dr. Phil, New Method Wellness is committed to everyone’s long-term success and recovery.

To learn more about our holistic programs, call 866.951.1824 today!