At the age of 17 I figured out the hard way that I had an issue. My parents had enough. 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 understood well enough to keep an eye on me and my friends My parents are also both recovering drug addicts who know the brain scrambling effects of abusing your body and mind for too many years. They wanted me to have a real shot at life.
They knew me well enough to know that a standard 12 step program would not be enough to solve the issues I was facing. They had each been in and out of several programs with only limited results. After some research they had checked themselves into an non-12 step drug treatment center and since have never looked back. So when it came the unfortunate time in their lives to put their only son into rehab, 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 like silly hippy stuff right? Well it worked. And it’s been working for 20 plus years.
For anyone who has tried a standard twelve step program and failed, I highly recommend doing some research on an alternative treatment center. After doing some research of 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 why it worked for me.
First of all they focus on your dietary intake. They believe that improving the food you take into the body, the stronger your mind and body will be. By removing additives and empty substances from the diet, the holistic approach intends to move the brain to its highest levels of functioning.
The holistic approach also includes massage, meditation, and relaxation treatments, in order to cleanse the mind of all negative thought. We feel that removing negative thinking and negative influences, will create a positive and addiction free path to follow. Tai Chi and Yoga also play a large role in healing the strength of mind and body in order for it to take care of itself and shut out any dependence on toxins.
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 done a 180. I wrote to my parents and let them know that I was going to train to become an alternative drug counselor and help others just like me. Holistic healing had opened my eyes to a world of peace and confident achievement. I urge anyone who may have a problem to seek help. But I want to show that there are nontraditional treatment programs out there if a twelve step program isn’t working out.