Progress, Not Perfection

Addiction is a chronic disease that can negatively impact an individual in every aspect of their life. It affects our productivity, relationships, physical health, mental health, and can cause economic burden. While traditional recovery approaches have been the standard for many years, alternative approaches to sobriety and recovery are gaining popularity. Several unconventional approaches to sobriety and recovery are currently available, and they are gaining acceptance as viable treatment options for addiction. Let's talk about these different ways to approach sobriety. 

One approach to sobriety and recovery is holistic therapy. It is based on the concept that the body, mind, and spirit are interconnected, and an individual must have balance in all three areas to achieve optimal health. Holistic therapy incorporates a range of alternative treatments such as acupuncture, massage therapy, yoga, meditation, and sound therapy. These complementary therapies are designed to help individuals connect with their inner selves, facilitate healing and foster emotional growth. By addressing the root cause of addiction, holistic therapy can help heal us in our body and soul. Some achieved long-term sobriety and enhance their overall health and wellbeing.

Another alternative approach to sobriety and recovery is medication-assisted treatment (MAT). While traditional recovery largely emphasizes abstinence, MAT provides medication to help individuals struggling with addiction to manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms. MAT medications, such as buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone, are prescribed by medical professionals to help individuals achieve and maintain sobriety. This approach to recovery has been shown to be effective, especially for individuals who have difficulty with abstinence-based approaches and risk relapse. We will continue to explore a variety of alternative treatments in my next post. In the meantime, never stop looking for what works for you. 

For me, a huge part of recovery was trusting myself again. Asking myself that question that I keep peating to you so I can build trust within myself: What would someone who loves themselves do? I've been through so many recovery programs and attempted so many strategies. I've come to a point in my recovery that I can trust myself to decide what works for me. Along with all the mainstream solutions to addiction, I've explored a lot of alternate methods. The point is to find what works for you and work it.  

Furthermore, peer support is another alternative approach to sobriety and recovery. It is based on the idea that individuals undergoing recovery can benefit from the support of other individuals who have undergone the same experiences. Peer support groups such as Alcohol Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and Smart Recovery rely on a community-based approach, where individuals in recovery come together to share their experiences and gain support from others. Peer support groups offer a safe haven where individuals can connect with others, gain valuable insights, and grow their support network.

The last alternative we'll talk about here is an alternative that is highly controversial approach to sobriety and recovery is the use of psychedelic substances such as ayahuasca, psilocybin, and MDMA. Are psychedelics the new fronteer in the psychology of addiction? These substances have shown promise in the treatment of addiction, PTSD, and depression. While these substances remain illegal in most countries, some organizations such as the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) have pushed for their legalization and incorporation into addiction treatment. While this is really interesting as to the future of addiction, this approach is still in testing faze; so, this is NOT something we should play with. As people in recovery, I would caution you on trying something like this. 

Disclaimer: Please remember there are multiple facets to recovery and any changes should always be discussed and supervised by a licensed professional. 

In conclusion, while traditional approaches to sobriety and recovery remain the standard, alternative approaches are gaining acceptance. Holistic therapy, medication-assisted treatment, peer support, and psychedelic substances offer promising treatment options for addiction recovery. These alternative approaches aim to facilitate long-term sobriety by addressing the root cause of addiction, promoting a sense of community and support, and encouraging spiritual development. As the research continues to evolve, alternative approaches to sobriety and recovery will continue to gain acceptance as best practices in addiction treatment.