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Residential Treatment

Learn more about holistic therapy

Written By Stuart Croft
Reviewed By Tiffany Green
Medically Reviewed By Wajahat Choudhry
Updated November 3, 2023

Treating an individual for drug and alcohol abuse, eating disorders, or mental health issues often requires more than a purely psychological approach to achieve lasting results. A more transformative and comprehensive approach that addresses not just the symptoms of addiction but the person as a whole. Physical, emotional, spiritual, and social well-being provides patients with hope and assurance that a fulfilling life is possible after treatment. It allows patients to reconnect with their values and the joys of a life lived in control.

Holistic therapy, a broad term encompassing a variety of therapeutic treatments, emphasises a patient-centred approach, which is central to our philosophy at Gladstones Clinic. As such, we provide a range of holistic treatments that cater to all. Guided yoga and meditation work against anxiety and heal trauma; therapeutic massages promote physical healing by improving circulation; light physical activities build strength and resilience; and a range of social and group activities help build strong social skills to combat loneliness and feelings of isolation, all while evidence-backed addiction therapies help our patients combat the psychological side of addiction.

Need help with addiction?

Contact us for an obligation-free discussion on how we could help you or a loved one break free from addiction.

Holistic therapy at Gladstones

Why is a holistic approach to rehab therapy so important?

To grasp the significance of a holistic approach, consider a rehab scenario without it.

Imagine a patient getting treated for drug addiction. They receive the necessary medication, one-on-one therapy, and group therapy and complete their 28 days of rehab incident-free. However, upon leaving their clinic, they quickly find themselves experiencing crippling cravings due to the re-emergence of old thought and behaviour patterns. As they avoid detrimental friendships and relationships, knowing how harmful they can be, they’re lost in socialisation without the crutch of substance use. Poor nutrition, a lack of physical exercise, and boredom compound feelings of stress and anxiety, relentlessly steering their mind back to substance abuse as a form of escape.

Even though they’re no longer suffering from physical addiction, their rehab clinic, by failing to provide them with holistic therapy, has not equipped them with the skills and knowledge required for a happy and content life post-treatment.

A holistic approach to rehab therapy is so important because we have lives after abuse. Holistic therapy helps us  make the most of these lives by arming us against its challenges and teaching us how to appreciate its joys. 

"Therapy adds days to life. Holistic therapy adds life to days."

What does holistic therapy mean at Gladstones Clinic?

Community

A supportive community provides a safety net, building accountability and belonging that reinforce recovery goals. At Gladstones, our holistic therapy emphasises community integration, equipping you with the necessary social skills to re-enter society with confidence.

Empowerment

Empowerment brings the confidence, control, and autonomy needed to counter the helplessness felt while in the grip of substance abuse. Holistic therapy at Gladstones Clinic empowers you with the tools and insights to take charge of your life, actions, and decisions, laying the groundwork for a self-directed life.

Connection

Connection entails more than social interaction; it requires deep self-awareness and a reconsilliation with your own identity. Holistic therapy enables people to rediscover themselves –their true potential and what brings peace and joy– facilitating the emotional healing so essential for sustained sobriety.

What holistic therapies can I expect at Gladstones Clinic?

Gladstones Clinic employs a number of holistic therapies designed to reintegrate our patients into their communities, empower them to take active control of their lives, and foster a deep sense of self-awareness.

Our whole-health approach to rehab includes the use of a number of therapeutic models, each contributing to the overall health and well-being of our patients’ physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

Some of the holistic and alternative therapies we incorporate into our patients’ treatment schedules include:

 

Substance abuse and eating disorders very often lead to nutritional imbalances and deficiencies. These can not only cause health problems such as organ damage but also lead to cravings, mood swings, and anxiety by affecting brain chemistry. 

Gladstones Clinic ensures optimal nutrition for all our patients, whether in treatment for substance abuse or eating disorders. Our menus are carefully designed and controlled by nutrition experts to ensure that each and every patient’s specific dietary needs are catered to. 

Our in-house chefs lovingly prepare three delicious and nutritious meals per day, as well as laying out healthy snacks throughout the day in case anyone is feeling peckish. With years of experience and training behind them, they can easily cater to any dietary needs, including taking allergies and religious restrictions into account. 

  • Restore physical health
  • Balance brain chemistry
  • Strengthen immune system
  • Improve energy levels
  • Promote psychological well-being

Guided meditation is a core component of many rehab programmes. It facilitates a deep state of relaxation and heightened awareness and, in so doing, brings a reprieve from the often overwhelming emotions and stressors that accompany detox and recovery.

Guided meditation can be a powerful tool for managing cravings and exploring the psychological triggers of addiction for those receiving treatment for substance abuse, while patients in rehab for eating or mental health disorders can reconnect with their bodies in a non-judgmental way and explore self-acceptance.

  • Reduce stress and anxiety
  • Enhance self-awareness
  • Improve focus and concentration
  • Promote emotional health
  • Support overall well-being

Yoga is yet another multifaceted therapeutic tool used in substance abuse, eating disorder, and mental health therapy. Yoga serves as a means of developing mindfulness, reducing stress, and alleviating the physical discomfort associated with withdrawal and detox, while at the same time promoting a sense of physical empowerment and control that is lost in addiction.

Yoga is also a calming and centring experience that can benefit eating disorder and mental health treatment by providing a calming and introspective experience, which can be particularly beneficial to those dealing with anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

  • Reduce stress and anxiety
  • Improve physical strength and flexibility
  • Enhanced mind-body connection
  • Boost mood and emotional regulation
  • Promote midfulness and presence

Therapeutic massage serves as a non-pharmacological treatment to mitigate the physical discomfort of withdrawal and detox. Additionally, therapeutic massage works to reduce cortisol levels, which increase heart rate and blood pressure, while promoting the release of dopamine and seratonin, leading to an overall improvement in mood. 

Therapeutic massages are fantastic at promoting feelings of care, relaxation, and comfort.

  • Alleviate physical tension
  • Promote relaxation
  • Enhance body awareness
  • Improve circulation
  • Support emotional balance

Light physical activity, especially ones that are enjoyed outdoors, like hiking, are fanstastic at building up physical strength and resilience, leading to increased confidence and a readiness to take on the world post-rehab. Spending time outdoors during rehab is proven to have many benefits, including raising benefiticial neurotransmitter levels, reducing anxiety and depression, and bringing a sense of calm. Hiking in a group is also a great opportunity to develop social skills and build a sense of community and belonging. 

  • Boost mood and reduce symptoms of depression
  • Enhance physical health
  • Connect to nature
  • Improve cognitive function
  • Support social interaction

Not every second spent at Gladstones Clinic is spent with a therapist or in a group. Downtime to kick back, relax, and reflect is an important aspect of recovery, and we provide plenty of comfortable and relaxing space and amenities to make the most of this time. Our shared spaces are calming and relaxing, while at the same time being equipped with plenty to do and keep the mind occupied. At Gladstones, you’ll have access to games, books, leisure activities, shared and private indoor and outdoor spaces, and so much more to help you meet your recovery goals stress-free and in a social setting. 

  • Encourage socialisation
  • Reduce feelings of isolation and boredom
  • Improve cognitive function
  • Increase physical activity
  • Prove healthy enjoyment
Holistic therapy is bigger than what can be described in a single webpage

Please contact Gladstones Clinic with any questions about our holistic and integrative approach to therapy. 

We’ll gladly discuss our holistic therapy models, activities, alternative treatments, and so much more to give you a comprehensive idea of what to expect from your time at Gladstones.

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