| 12-step recovery plans and medications are standards | | | | like meditation, has been proven to help with anxiety. |
| for alcoholism treatment, but several alternative options | | | | Yoga features gentle muscle stretching and |
| exist. Many of these include one or more features of | | | | contemplation to bring about harmony between mind |
| traditional treatment plans, but add other components. | | | | and body. Many people have found yoga, in |
| Still other alternative treatments bypass the standard | | | | combination with meditation or some type of spiritual |
| plans and set off on their own path. | | | | contemplation, to have a very helpful effect on their |
| One alternative that these programs can offer is a | | | | lives. |
| spiritual side. Many "traditional" treatment plans | | | | Nutritional counseling is another alternative therapy that |
| concentrate on the physical or medical aspects of | | | | can reap big treatment benefits. The vast majority of |
| alcoholism and treatment. Spiritual belief can be a huge | | | | alcoholics have some sort of nutritional deficiency. Not |
| part of a person's life--one that can make a big | | | | only are they getting "filled up" on alcoholic beverages |
| difference in treatment and recovery. | | | | which have little or no nutritive value, drinking alcohol |
| Meditation, yoga, and trance work can be other | | | | reduces the small intestine's ability to absorb nutrition. |
| aspects of an alternative treatment plan for several | | | | Once an alcoholic stops drinking, he or she should be |
| conditions, including alcoholism. Meditation is a method | | | | evaluated for nutritional counseling and treatment, |
| to focus your mind inward. In many cases this | | | | including balancing the blood sugar levels. |
| produces a calming effect and reduces anxiety. | | | | Acupuncture is another alternative treatment for |
| Anxiety is often treated by medication--but wouldn't | | | | alcoholism that has shown some success. It may be |
| meditation be better? | | | | used along with, though generally not in place of, more |
| Trance work is closely related to meditation and also | | | | formalized alcoholism treatments. There are many |
| to hypnosis. All of these processes allow you to calm | | | | options out there for the patient seeking alcoholism |
| yourself and focus your mind. A mind focused on quiet | | | | treatment. With a good support group and a willingness |
| contemplation can help provide the strength to | | | | to try both conventional and alternative treatment |
| overcome temptation. | | | | options, sobriety can be reached and maintained. |
| Yoga has been around for thousands of years, and | | | | |