7 Holistic Recovery Goals

Building a Foundation

At The Aviary Recovery Center’s Missouri-based drug and alcohol addiction treatment program, we recognize that lasting recovery requires more than simply abstaining from substance use. We promote a holistic approach to recovery that focuses on building a foundation for lasting sobriety by healing the mind, body, and spirit.

1. Reducing Stress

It’s common for people to turn to drug or alcohol abuse as a way to cope with stress, especially if they are busy professionals in fast-paced jobs. Because of this, stress is a common trigger for relapse.

Reducing stress in recovery might involving finding hobbies to explore alone or with others. For example, art and music therapy often help individuals realize that creative self-expression is a wonderful coping mechanism for handling stressful situations. Yoga, meditation, and mindfulness are also commonly recommended as a way to reduce stress and promote mental health.

2. Increasing Self-Confidence

People in treatment for drug or alcohol addiction often suffer from great shame regarding their past actions. This shame leads to low self-esteem and feelings of unworthiness. Improving self-confidence helps individuals realize that they deserve to be healthy, happy, and sober.

Building confidence is a gradual process that starts with forgiving oneself for past mistakes and celebrating current accomplishments on the road to recovery. Volunteering is often recommended as a way to build self-confidence, since finding ways to give back serves as a reminder of all that you have to offer.

3. Eating a Balanced Diet

The concept of food as fuel for the body plays heavily into most modern drug and alcohol treatment programs, including those offered at The Aviary Recovery Center. A balanced diet helps heal some of the damage caused by substance abuse while providing energy and stabilizing mood.

Incorporating nutrition into a holistic recovery program means more than just serving balanced meals while someone is in residential treatment. It must include education on the components of a healthy diet, as well as guidance for meal planning and preparation.

4. Exercising Regularly

Exercise offers a plethora of benefits for people in recovery: reducing stress, alleviating boredom, improving self-esteem, and providing a way to manage depression and anxiety. In a holistic recovery program, individuals are encouraged to find forms of exercise they enjoy and to create a regular workout routine.

5. Expressing Emotions

People in recovery often fear expressing their emotions honestly, especially when it comes to expressing negative emotions such as anger, fear, or disappointment. Learning how to cope with both positive and negative emotions in a healthy way is vital for sustaining a lasting recovery.

Journaling is a recommended part of the holistic recovery process because it provides a safe place to express emotions. The act of writing your thoughts down on paper also forces you to look at a situation in a more objective and balanced way.

For individuals who have experienced abuse or neglect, expressing emotions must also include processing their trauma in an appropriate way. Trauma-informed addiction treatment offers opportunities for healing and building resilience.

6. Exploring Spirituality

Spirituality can serve as a source of comfort and strength in tough times, which is why people in recovery are encouraged to explore their spiritual sides in whatever way they believe is appropriate. This may include prayer, Bible study, meditation, or an exploration of different belief systems.

The Christian self-help group Celebrate Recovery is a very popular way for men and women to connect with a broader community of believers. This group can be attended as an alternative to Alcoholics Anonymous and other similar 12-Step groups or as an additional source of accountability and support.

7. Nurturing Strong Social Ties

Although some people are more extroverted than others, human beings are naturally social creatures. Feeling lonely is a well-known risk factor for relapse, so a holistic recovery program should provide participants with the tools they need to build strong relationships with others. This includes learning about healthy communication, rebuilding trust, and how to socialize while sober.

At Aviary Recovery Center, we offer a family wellness program as a way to help the entire family deal with the effects of addiction.