Holism: An Instrumental Approach To Recovery

Holism is the approach and theory that the body contains all it needs to perform optimally. Holistic beliefs state that if one part of an individual is ‘off balance’ or not performing properly, then all the other areas of the body are affected and that these imbalances can negatively affect overall health. For example, and individual with a substance abuse issue may lose social functioning, become less attentive, and experience heightened levels of impulsiveness due to the effects of the substances they partake in. Holism is referred to as complementary medicine and fits into not only the recovery model, but the many aspects of recovery as well. Holism is an instrumental approach to recovery due to its implementation and positive outcomes.

Mindfulness is another holistic approach tied to recovery and mental health. Mindfulness is the process of paying attention to only what is happening in the immediate moment, or ‘the now’ so to speak. The process goes further by paying attention to ones on thoughts and emotions without judgment. Mindfulness is beginning to weave its way into inclusion in the recovery of individuals. It can be utilized to combat depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorders (OCD), and anxiety. Mindfulness has even been used to help prevent individuals from relapsing on illegal substances. Mindfulness has appeal because it is a successful way to reduce stress and manage emotions, from Marcus (2009): Mindfulness meditation, originally derived from Buddhist Vipassana meditation, is the cornerstone of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program developed by Kabat-Zinn in 1979 to teach patients with chronic physical and mental health problems how to improve their lives. Mindfulness Based Stress reduction (MBSR) is an intervention that focuses of chronic pain and stress reduction. It is completed through eight sessions, with each lasting two and a half hours in length with a retreat period at the end of each week to practice meditative skills. Components include meditation and yoga. Mindfulness can be a great tool in maintaining optimal mental health, from Robins: Research indicates that the mental process mechanisms through which mindfulness enhances physical and mental health include decreased negative rumination, improved emotional regulation, nonattachment, and less ego-focused