Therapies – Holistic
Healing Mind, Body, and Spirit With Holistic Substance Abuse Treatment
Holistic Therapy for Addiction at Meridian Recovery Center
RECOVERY IS ABOUT MORE 
THAN STOPPING IT IS ABOUT HEALING 
Successful addiction treatment must address the entire person, not just their substance use. The trauma, pain, and loss of connection to self that are often at the root of drug addiction need to be addressed in ways that go beyond clinical work alone. Holistic therapies create an opportunity for those in recovery to reconnect with their body, their creativity, their presence, and a sense of self that isn’t determined by their addiction.
Meridian Recovery offers holistic therapies as part of an overall treatment plan through the integration of evidence-based clinical work. Featuring yoga, art therapy, and music therapy, the holistic therapies offered assist individuals on their journey to recovery by providing them with additional tools to navigate their new life of wellness.
What Is Holistic Addiction Treatment?
Holistic addiction therapy is a way to treat addiction using natural, mind-body, and creative therapies that complement traditional, evidence-based clinical therapies.[1] Holistic therapy works from the premise that every aspect of a person’s being must be healed during their recovery, including their physical health, emotional wellness, connection to spirit, and ability to creatively express themselves.
Holistic therapies are not considered a replacement for evidence-based therapies, but simply an enhancement to them. Our programs maintain the clinical structure of our treatment plans—including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and individual or group therapy—with the introduction of holistic therapies where clinically indicated. This adds depth and dimension to the recovery process beyond what is available through structured talk therapy alone.
Who Is Holistic Therapy Right For?
Although many individuals in addiction treatment will benefit from holistic therapies, they may be especially beneficial to individuals who:
- Have difficulty expressing their feelings through traditional talk therapy.
- Have a history of trauma stored in their bodies as well as their minds.
- Benefit from the use of movement, creativity, or sensory experiences.
- Are struggling with the lingering physical tension or withdrawal symptoms that often accompany early sobriety.
- Are seeking healthy outlets and coping strategies outside of their clinical sessions.
- Are looking to reestablish their sense of self, purpose, and joy.
Holistic therapies help people achieve their goals by providing an alternative way to heal through the brush strokes of art or the motions of yoga, rather than using words alone.
How Holistic Therapies Work
Holistic approaches engage dimensions of healing that traditional psychotherapy does not always reach. The body holds emotion, trauma, and habitual patterns of tension that talk therapy may not completely resolve.
At Meridian Recovery, we offer several types of holistic therapies provided by trained professionals:
- Yoga Therapy: Yoga promotes recovery by helping to develop present-moment awareness, decrease stress, and improve body awareness. It provides a healthy outlet for the excess energy and tension that often accompany the period following acute withdrawal symptoms.
- Art Therapy: Facilitated by art therapy professionals, this process enables individuals to express emotions and recount experiences in a safe, non-threatening manner. It is an effective way to process traumatic experiences, shame, and grief.
- Music Therapy: Music therapy utilizes sound to treat emotional, cognitive, and social aspects of recovery. It helps with stress reduction, emotional expression, and the development of healthy coping skills.
Together, these modalities create a richer, more complete treatment experience — one that honors the full complexity of the people we serve.
The Efficacy of Holistic Therapies in Addiction Treatment
There has been a tremendous increase in the evidence base for the use of holistic and complementary therapies to treat addiction. Current research indicates:
- Mind and Body Practices: Studies indicate that using yoga and mindfulness-based practices provides a decrease in stress, the intensity of cravings, and the possibility of relapse among those who incorporate these practices regularly.[2]
- Trauma Processing: Art therapy has been shown to be an effective method of processing trauma-related emotions in a manner that is complementary to traditional psychotherapy, diminishing the emotional burden associated with drug addiction.[3]
- Improved Participation: Research demonstrates that music therapy improves mood, decreases anxiety, and enhances engagement. This directly contributes to retention in treatment and long-term recovery success.[4]
- Enhanced Quality of Life: Individuals who participate in integrated holistic treatment experience improved physical health, emotional regulation, self-esteem, and overall wellness. These improvements apply to the person’s entire life, not just the act of abstaining from substances.[5]
- Recognition by Health Authorities: Organizations such as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) increasingly recognize the value of complementary and holistic interventions when integrated into an evidence-based clinical treatment plan.[6]
Holistic therapy does not replace clinical care — it deepens it, addressing the dimensions of healing that make long-term recovery not just possible, but sustainable.
What to Expect from Holistic Therapy
If you are unfamiliar with these approaches, here is what you can anticipate:
- No artistic or musical background is required: Holistic therapies have low entry barriers. You will receive support through non-judgmental facilitation, and the process you go through is more important than the finished product or your skill level.
- Emotional Responses: These sessions often elicit emotions that were previously inaccessible. You may feel a profound sense of relaxation as you release tension held for months or years. This process is both welcomed and supported by our staff.
- Synergy with Clinical Care: In addition to being integrated into other services, holistic therapy creates synergy with individualized therapy and group programming. You can transfer information discovered in a yoga or art session to any other session.
What most clients find is that holistic therapies add a dimension to their recovery that feels genuinely different and valuable.
Holistic Therapies at Meridian Recovery
Our treatment philosophy incorporates all aspects of a person as part of the healing process.
- Array of Modalities: We offer a wide variety of holistic therapies, such as yoga, art therapy, and music therapy, to provide emotional and physical outlets for stress management.
- Trained Professionals: All therapists administering holistic therapies at Meridian Recovery are competent, qualified practitioners.
- Coordinated Treatment Plans: Holistic therapies are integrated into your individualized treatment plan and group programming to ensure they reinforce one another in your recovery.
- Dual Diagnosis Care: These therapies are intended for addiction recovery along with the management of mental health disorders. They help individuals manage symptoms of anxiety or depression while in the recovery process.
Healing is not one-dimensional, and neither is the care we provide. By integrating creative and physical therapies with traditional clinical work, we help you build a well-rounded foundation for a new life.
Contact Us
Discover a Fuller Path to Recovery
If you or a loved one is looking for holistic addiction treatment that goes beyond the conventional, Meridian Recovery is here to help. Reach out to our admissions team today to learn more about how holistic therapies are integrated into our individualized treatment programs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Holistic Addiction Treatment
What is a holistic approach to addiction treatment?
The holistic approach addresses the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—as opposed to focusing solely on substance abuse. These practices are offered in conjunction with traditional, evidence-based approaches to support total healing.
What are examples of holistic treatments for addiction?
Common approaches include yoga, art therapy, music therapy, mindfulness, and breathwork. At Meridian Recovery, these are led by qualified professionals who coordinate with your clinical team.
Does insurance cover holistic treatments?
Coverage differs by plan. When provided as a component of a comprehensive recovery program, they may be covered under the same benefits as traditional treatment services. Contact our admissions department for a free benefits verification.
What is the most effective therapy for addiction?
The most effective approach combines traditional evidence-based treatment, peer support, and holistic therapies. This provides the individual with tools for managing emotions and a social support system for long-term success. Because everyone is different, an individualized approach is essential.
What are some criticisms of the holistic approach to treatment?
A common professional criticism is that some holistic therapies are more difficult to study scientifically compared to clinical treatments like CBT or DBT. However, we integrate these as complementary therapies, not as a replacement for evidence-based medicine, utilizing them based on increasing empirical evidence of their benefits.
Sources
[1] VA.gov | Veterans Affairs. (n.d.). https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTHLIBRARY/tools/substance-use-disorder-treatment-complementary-approaches.asp
[2] Bowen, S., Witkiewitz, K., Clifasefi, S. L., Grow, J., Chawla, N., Hsu, S. H., … & Larimer, M. E. (2014). Relative efficacy of mindfulness-based relapse prevention, standard relapse prevention, and treatment as usual for substance use disorders: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Psychiatry, 71(5), 547–556. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2013.4546
[3] King, J. L. (2024). A conceptual framework for a neurophysiological basis of art therapy for PTSD. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 18, 1351757. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2024.1351757
[4] Hohmann, L., Bradt, J., Stegemann, T., & Koelsch, S. (2017). Effects of music therapy and music-based interventions in the treatment of substance use disorders: A systematic review. PloS One, 12(11), e0187363. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0187363
[5] Jorgensen, D. (2015). A holistic approach to substance abuse treatment and the mind, body, spirit, connection (Unpublished master’s thesis). University of Wisconsin-Stout. https://minds.wisconsin.edu/bitstream/handle/1793/74083/Jorgensen,%20Donna.pdf
[6] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2023). Chapter 3: Counseling approaches for promoting harm reduction and preventing recurrence. In Counseling and medical care for people with substance use disorders. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK601490/
