A Modern Guide to Alternative Addiction Treatment
More than ever, those seeking to recover from addiction are turning away from the standard 12-step recovery programs in favor of alternative treatments. These kinds of treatments use alternative strategies to identify and resolve the underlying issues that lead to your addiction. The success of many of these alternative types of treatments depends on your own initiative. While pushing yourself to overcome addiction can be an effective motivator, sometimes people need a little more structure and group support to get their lives on the right track.
For this reason, alternative treatments might not suit you if you believe you lack the kind of initiative needed to carry you through. A 12-step program could provide you with a more structured path to recovery, with plenty of additional support and encouragement to keep you on the right track. However, if you think that you may be ready to try some alternative addiction treatments, here are just a few to consider, courtesy of Drug Free Australia.
Recovery Through Work
The last thing you need right now is stress, and working a full-time job or trying to make ends meet without one may interfere with your recovery plans. A good alternative to traditional employment that may fit the bill can be a gig-job. With that, you not only have the flexibility of working your own hours, the feeling of independence it brings can be a real confidence booster. The income from self-employment can help pay down any debts you may have incurred before your recovery and can go toward whatever therapy you are pursuing. The “gig economy” is one that is growing exponentially, which makes finding the type of job that works best for your situation is easier than it’s ever been.
Finding easy to use accounting software can also help to reduce your financial stress. Your recovery and well-being are most important, but you don’t want to compound the stress of recovery with unpaid bills or forgotten financial responsibilities. Plus, as an independent contractor in the gig economy, you want to keep accurate records of where you’ve worked, how much they owe you, and what taxes you’ve paid.
Recovery Through Physical Activity
Addictions are born from behaviors that stimulate us. You become addicted to things that make you feel good, and your addiction is a product of fulfilling a need over and over until your entire existence revolves around it. When choosing to quit an addictive behavior that negatively affects your life, you need to replace that behavior with a positive one—something that stimulates but does not destroy.
For many, physical activity such as running, bodybuilding, swimming, and hiking provides similar stimulation that your body can learn to crave. As you attempt to abstain from your addiction and reclaim your life, exercise can be a substitute craving to keep you from relapsing. Exercise is also an excellent source of self-confidence, and it can reduce the amount of stress and frustration you feel during your recovery.
Recovery Through Mindfulness
For many, addiction can be traced back to deep underlying issues locked within our psyche. One way of overcoming your addiction to drugs or alcohol is by uncovering those deep-seated issues and better understanding how and why addiction has entered your life. Meditation, counseling, and art therapy are all good options to help explore the inner working of the mind and come to terms with your addiction.
Recovery Through Outreach
Sometimes, the best way to fix yourself is by giving to others. While you seek to abstain and recover from the devastating effects of addiction, perhaps reaching out to other individuals in need can fill your life with responsibility and purpose. Volunteering at local homeless shelters or joining an organization could provide you with meaning to keep your recovery going strong. By helping others, you can escape your own stress and frustration and focus on others. Reaching out to those who are impoverished, sick, or also dealing with their own addiction can be an uplifting experience and really put your addiction and recovery into perspective.
As you can see, there are many approaches to take when recovering from addiction. As you try out different treatments, traditional or alternative, it’s important to keep an open mind. Your priority is to leave the negative behaviors behind and embrace a better, healthier version of yourself. No matter what direction you take, making a conscious effort to change will always be the most important step, and this step already reveals your own strength and ability to recover.
Drug Free Australia provides resources and representation for people struggling with addiction in our communities. Visit our website for more information and ways to support this cause.
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