Integrative & Holistic Therapies at Promises

Promises offers additional options for clients who would like to expand their treatment to include holistic therapies to enhance their recovery. Holistic treatments have proven to be extremely effective in increasing addiction recovery rates and preventing relapse. Treatment specialties at Promises include yoga, acupuncture, meditation, massage, equine therapy, and nutritional counseling. By integrating these holistic components and treating the mind, body, and spirit, Promises is able to provide clients with a strong foundation for lasting recovery.

Yoga

It is extremely important for those in recovery to find healthy, safe ways to cope with stress. For many clients, yoga is a very effective way to release stress and find inner peace. Yoga is the ancient discipline of joining the physical self with the spiritual self. By engaging in postures, or "asanas," yoga helps clients strengthen, align, and tone their bodies. In addition, the increased blood flow that occurs during yoga helps flush out toxins from body. The meditative element of yoga helps bring an emotional balance to the body, and the deep breathing involved brings a calmness that many recovering addicts haven’t experienced in years. In a world of ups and downs, yoga emphasizes a balanced approach to life that everyone can benefit from.

Acupuncture

This ancient form of Chinese medicine has been found to help detoxify the body of chemicals, reduce cravings, and calm the mind. By placing extremely fine needles into the skin at strategic points in the body known as "acupuncture points," this treatment can help promote healing, alleviate pain, quiet the mind, improve the immune system, and create a sense of well being. For those in recovery, acupuncture provides the client with an enhanced ability to abstain from addictive substances, and it also increases energy in the body, making it easier for the client to stay active. In addition, acupuncture releases endorphins into the body, which promote feelings of health and general well being. An optimistic attitude will help the client make health-conscious choices and maintain a positive lifestyle.

Meditation

There are many different types of meditation, and all of them can help improve mental concentration and clarity, reduce anxiety and depression, and promote a deep sense of inner peace. Through meditation, those in recovery can connect with their spirituality and rediscover new passions. Meditation also offers a healthy way to relieve stress and anger, which are often experienced by those in recovery. In addition, for clients who are struggling with insomnia, meditation relaxes the body often to the point of sleep and clears the mind of worries and anxious thoughts. For clients who are experiencing chronic pain, meditation can help with pain management, teaching the client to divert attention and regain control over the body’s responses.

Massage

People in the early stages of recovery often experience an uncomfortable gap between their body and mind. Therapeutic massage can help bridge that gap, providing a sense of deep relaxation, alleviating pain, and increasing alertness. Massage also reduces the stress hormone cortisol, which allows the practice to decrease anxiety, depression, agitation, and cravings. A regular massage regimen has been found to increase dopamine, a chemical that is associated with feelings of pleasure and well being. In addition, endorphins are released during massage, which allows the client to feel good without the aid of substances.

Equine Therapy

Equine therapy gives clients direct, regular contact with horses, which provides physical, emotional, and mental rewards. Equine therapy can decrease hostility and feelings of anger, lower stress levels, increase trust, improve self-esteem, and provide a greater sense of patience. When a horse is paired with a troubled person, a bond gradually develops between them. Horses are extremely sensitive to the feelings and emotions of humans—they will take whatever emotions or feelings that they are receiving from a human and reflect them back to the person. Once a connection has been established between animal and human, positive change is quickly promoted within the individual.

Nutritional Counseling

A balanced diet is essential to lasting recovery. Most clients are malnourished at the time of their admittance to Promises, so it is important to restore them to physical health through nutrition. Nutritional counseling helps clients learn how to make healthy food choices, which is important in achieving a healthy lifestyle. Foods that are high in nutrients can help rebuild damaged tissues and organs and improve functioning of the nervous and gastrointestinal systems. Research has also shown that a diet that is rich in protein and the right kind of carbohydrates can reduce cravings for alcohol and drugs. Food also affects our moods, so getting enough folic acid and B vitamins is essential to improving mood. Sugar and caffeine can contribute to mood swings, so it is important for those in recovery to avoid both as much as possible. Clients will learn beneficial information like this through nutritional counseling at Promises.