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Holistic Addiction Treatment

What is Holistic Addiction Treatment?

Holistic addiction treatment is an approach that cares for the whole person – mind, body, and spirit – rather than focusing only on managing symptoms of substance use. This means that in addition to helping you stop using drugs or alcohol, holistic care also supports your emotional well-being, physical health, social connections, and spiritual needs. Experts recognize that effective treatment addresses multiple needs of an individual, not just the addiction its. In practice, a holistic program might blend traditional counseling with activities that reduce stress, heal the body, and nurture the soul.

At Ohana Recovery Center, we embrace this whole-person philosophy in a warm, family-like setting. (The word “ohana” means family in Hawaiian.) Just as family looks out for all aspects of your welfare, our women’s treatment program is designed to make you feel safe, loved, and truly cared for in every way. Holistic treatment for us isn’t about any one therapy – it’s about creating a woman-centered environment where you feel you belong. Here, you are not just treated as a patient with a diagnosis; you are seen as a whole woman with unique strengths, hopes, and challenges. We honor all parts of your story and work with you to heal emotionally, physically, and spiritually. This inclusive, supportive approach helps many women regain a sense of balance and self-worth as they overcome addiction and mental health struggles.

Our holistic focus also means we pay attention to underlying issues that often go hand-in-hand with substance use. Many women who come to Ohana are also dealing with things like anxiety, depression, trauma, or the stress of juggling family responsibilities. By addressing these factors — through therapy, peer support, and healthy activities — we help you build a strong foundation for recovery. When treatment nurtures every part of you, it reinforces the idea that you deserve to be healthy and whole. In short, holistic addiction treatment is about healing all of you, so you can truly flourish in sobriety.

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What Holistic Practices Are Used in Addiction Treatment?

In addiction recovery programs, especially those focused on women’s wellness, it’s common to incorporate holistic practices alongside counseling and medical care. These practices are activities or therapies that engage your body, soothe your mind, and uplift your spirit during the healing process. They work together with traditional treatments to help relieve stress, teach healthy coping skills, and reconnect you with yourself in positive ways. There are many types of holistic techniques used in treatment settings (far too many for any single center to offer all at once). Here are some examples of holistic practices often used to support addiction recovery:

  • Yoga and Exercise – Gentle movement therapies like yoga, stretching, or guided fitness help strengthen your body and release tension. Many women find that yoga in particular improves their mood and reduces stress. Physical activity in any form can boost your confidence, improve sleep, and serve as a healthy outlet for emotions.
  • Meditation and Mindfulness – These practices teach you to center your thoughts in the present moment and calm the mind. Deep breathing, meditation sessions, or mindfulness exercises can lower anxiety and help you handle cravings. In fact, research shows that mindfulness programs can reduce impulsive urges and even decrease substance use by helping people manage their emotions. Taking a few moments each day to breathe and reflect can ground you and build inner peace during recovery.
  • Art and Music Therapy – Creative therapies allow you to express feelings that might be hard to put into words. Through painting, drawing, journaling, or making music, you can explore your emotions in a safe, nourishing way. Art and music therapy are commonly used in holistic treatment to help process trauma, reduce stress, and rediscover joy. They remind you that you are more than your addiction – you’re also a creative, feeling person with a story to tell.
  • Breathwork – Breathwork is a guided practice that uses conscious breathing techniques to regulate the nervous system, release tension, and promote emotional healing. Many women find breathwork to be an empowering tool for managing anxiety and reconnecting with their inner sense of calm. Whether done in group settings or one-on-one, it’s a gentle yet powerful way to shift emotional energy and gain a sense of control over your body’s stress response.
  • Nature and Adventure Therapy – Spending time in nature can be profoundly healing. Some programs incorporate outdoor activities like hiking, gardening, or equine therapy (working with horses) as holistic methods. Being outdoors or bonding with animals can increase feelings of calm and connection. It helps many women clear their minds, build confidence through new experiences, and feel a spiritual uplift from the beauty of nature.

These are just a few examples – holistic practices in addiction treatment can also include nutrition coaching, mind-body classes, spiritual counseling, massage therapy, acupuncture, and more. Not every treatment center offers all of these services, and that’s okay. At Ohana Recovery Center, we incorporate a thoughtful variety of holistic therapies that complement our evidence-based care. Our program is continually growing and evolving — we listen to what our clients need, and we’re always exploring new ways to support healing and wholeness.

Whether it’s a quiet morning meditation, a supportive yoga class, or simply the warmth of a peaceful setting, we strive to make every part of your experience at Ohana feel like a step toward coming home to yourself. We believe that when the body, mind, and spirit are supported together, recovery becomes not just possible — but transformative.

What Role Does Mental Health Have in Addiction Treatment?

Mental health issues are often causative factors of substance abuse, and the effects of some substances can cause the symptoms of mental illness to be challenging to manage. When treating substance abuse, it is essential to assess the whole person. Each person must receive care that considers their past, present situation, and hopes for the future. Part of understanding how to treat someone holistically means untangling their mental health issues from their substance abuse and treating both of these issues.

Taking care of the body and mind is essential, and a holistic approach works well for many people as they work towards recovery and sobriety. Many commonly-used holistic treatments have a positive effect on the symptoms of mental illness. They can provide calming and centering sensations, and many allow people to gain more control over their thought patterns.

What Evidence-Based Approach Has the Best Results?

When it comes to achieving the best outcomes in addiction recovery, research shows that an evidence-based approach – one grounded in proven, scientific methods – is most effective. “Evidence-based” simply means that the therapies and treatments used have been tested through research and shown to help people recover. Rather than relying on guesswork or fads, evidence-based care uses methods we know work, such as professional counseling, group support, and appropriate medications. In fact, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) recommends a blend of approaches: after any needed detox, a combination of medication (if appropriate) and behavioral therapy, followed by long-term relapse prevention support. In other words, the best results come from treating addiction on multiple fronts – addressing the physical aspects, the psychological aspects, and the social support network all together. This comprehensive strategy is backed by decades of research and forms the core of effective addiction treatment.

At Ohana Recovery Center, we are committed to using evidence-based practices that give our clients the highest chance of success. Some of the proven therapies we incorporate include:

  • Individual and Group Counseling – Talking through your experiences with trained therapists or in support groups is a cornerstone of recovery. Approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) help you identify and change negative thought patterns, while trauma-informed counseling ensures that any past traumas are handled with care and compassion. In group sessions, you’ll bond with other women who understand what you’re going through, which research shows can reduce isolation and encourage lasting recovery.

  • Behavioral Therapies – We use techniques that teach practical coping skills for real-life situations. For example, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) can help you manage overwhelming emotions and handle stress without turning to substances. Motivational Interviewing is another evidence-based approach we use – it gently strengthens your own motivation and commitment to change, empowering you to take charge of your recovery journey. These methods have been studied extensively and have helped many people find stability in sobriety.

  • Mental Health Care and Medication – Because we also treat mental health conditions, our approach often includes evidence-based psychiatric care. If you’re struggling with depression, anxiety, or other issues along with addiction, our medical team might recommend medications or therapies that research shows are effective for those conditions. In cases of opioid or alcohol dependence, Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) may be used – for instance, medicines that ease withdrawal or reduce cravings, combined with counseling. Using medicine in a responsible, supervised way can improve outcomes for certain addictions, and it’s supported by scientific studies.

  • Aftercare and Support Networks – An evidence-based plan doesn’t end when you finish residential treatment. Consistent follow-up and support are crucial for long-term success. We help you plan for life after rehab by connecting you with resources like 12-step meetings or other sober support groups, alumni programs, and continued counseling. This ongoing care is based on evidence that longer engagement in recovery activities leads to better outcomes. Simply put, the more support and structure you have as you re-enter daily life, the stronger your foundation in sobriety will be.

So, what approach has the best results? A personalized one that combines proven therapies with holistic support. Research has taught us that there is no single magic cure for addiction – the most successful treatment plans are those tailored to each woman’s needs, combining different evidence-based elements. At Ohana, we create an individualized plan for you that brings together the therapies above (and others as needed), in a way that resonates with you. We also integrate the holistic practices discussed earlier to complement these treatments, because nurturing your overall well-being can enhance the effectiveness of clinical therapies.

Finally, we believe one of the best things for recovery isn’t a therapy technique at all – it’s the power of belonging. Being in a supportive, women-only community can make a profound difference in your healing. Women often heal best when they feel safe, understood, and connected to others who share similar experiences. In our residence, you’ll be surrounded by sisters in recovery who lift each other up. This sense of camaraderie and understanding is something we foster intentionally, because feeling accepted and encouraged is proven to help people stay on track with recovery. When you combine that supportive sisterhood with evidence-based treatment and holistic care, you have a powerful trifecta that leads to the best outcomes. Our approach is always evolving with the latest research and the feedback of the women we serve. We are continuously learning and improving, just like you are on your recovery journey.

In summary, Ohana Recovery Center’s evidence-based, holistic, and woman-centered approach is designed to give you the strongest chance at lasting sobriety. We use therapies that work, practices that heal the whole you, and we surround you with family-like support. The best result we aim for is seeing you step into a healthier, happier life – knowing you are never alone and that you have the tools and support to thrive in recovery. You deserve nothing less, and we are here to walk beside you every step of the way.