At the age of 16 I realized the hard way that I had a problem. My parents had stopped me dead in my tracks. I was confronted head on by family, about my addiction to alcohol and cocaine. I foolishly thought I was hiding it well. But that mistake comes with being young, dumb, and addicted to drugs. Fortunately I had parents who knew well enough to keep an eye on me and my friends My parents are also both recovering narcotic users who know the deadly consequences of abusing your body and mind for too many years. They did not want the same life for me.
They knew me well enough to know that a standard alcohol and drug rehab would not be enough to solve the issues I was facing. They had each been in and out of several programs with only short term results. After some research they had checked themselves into an alternative drug rehab center and since have never looked back. So when it came the unfortunate time in their lives to put their only son into a detox program, they had no hesitation about what to do. They enrolled me in a form of alternative drug rehab that focused on holistic healing. In other words, this alternative style of treatment focused on me as a whole, as one with the earth and the universe. Sounds corny right? Well it worked. And it’s been working for two decades.
For anyone who has tried a standard 12 step program and gone into relapse, I highly recommend checking out an alternative center for recovery. After reasearching on my own, I’ve uncovered many that may be right for all walks of life. There are centers strictly for men, women, GLBT, faith-based, and holistic. And since I’ve followed the holistic style of alternative drug rehab, please allow me to tell you a little about it and how it works.
First of all they focus on your diet. They believe that improving the food you take into the body, the stronger your mind and body become. By removing additives and empty substances from the diet, the treatment intends to move the brain to its highest levels of functioning.
Massage, meditation, and relaxation treatments are also important factors in the holistic approach to treating negative thoughts ofrecovering users. We feel that removing negative thinking and negative influences, will create a positive and enlightened, free path to follow. Tai Chi and Yoga also play a large role in recovering the strength of mind and body in order for it to take care of itself and shut out any dependence on substances.
These are just a few of the things that the holistic approach to nontraditional treatment has to offer. After completing 5 short months in the program, I saw that my life had taken an entirely new direction. I wrote to my parents and let them know that I was going to train to become a holistic drug counselor and help others just like me. Holistic healing had opened my eyes to a world of peace and whole achievement. I urge anyone who may have a problem to seek help. But I want to show that there are alternative drug rehab programs out there if a twelve step program isn’t cutting it.
