At the age of sixteen I found out the hard way that I had a problem. My parents had staged an intervention. 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 loved me enough to pay attention to my actions and who I was hanging around. My parents are also both recovering drug addicts who know the devastating effects of abusing your body and mind for too many years. They wanted me to have a real chance at life.
They knew me well enough to know that a standard 12 step program would not be enough to kill the devil 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 a treatment center, they had no hesitation about what to do. They enrolled me in a form of nontraditional treatment 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 two decades.
For anyone who has tried a standard 12 step program and failed, I highly recommend doing some research on an alternative drug rehab. After looking into a few of my own, I’ve discovered many that may be right for all walks of life. There are centers strictly for men, women, gay/lesbian/bi/tran, 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 how it works.
First of all they focus on your diet. They believe that improving the substances you take into the body, the stronger your mind and body will make themselves. By removing additives and empty substances from the diet, the alternative drug rehab intends to move the brain to its highest levels of functioning.
This approach also includes massage, meditation, and relaxation treatments, in order to cleanse the mind of all negative thought. We understand that learning to control 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 recovering the strength of mind and body in order for it to take care of itself and shut out any dependence on substances.
These are just a few of the things that the holistic approach to nontraditional treatment has to offer. After completing six short months in the program, I saw that my life had done a 180. I I fell in love with the new way of life and decided 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 enlightened achievement. I urge anyone who may have a problem to seek help. But I want to show that there are alternative drug rehab programs out there if a 12 step program isn’t cutting it.
