Many people in treatment for substance use disorder (SUD) benefit from complementary medicine and a holistic approach to treatment. Complementary services, including aromatherapy and essential oils, enhance the effectiveness of treatment programs. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), “Some essential oils and their components show hormonal activity and could affect the endocrine system,” relieving some symptoms related to SUD. The endocrine system impacts cells, organs, and essential body functions. Bright Mission Recovery uses essential oils to promote stress relief and relaxation during treatment.
What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are substances made from plant extracts. Societies around the world have used essential oils for thousands of years to treat physical and mental health conditions. According to the previously mentioned article by the NIEHS, “Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts that retain the natural smell and flavor of their source.” People use the extracted essence in various products, including diffusers, topical ointments, creams, and teas. Aromatherapy generally involves dispersing distilled oil through steam to promote relaxation and other positive effects. Bright Mission Recovery offers aromatherapy as an alternative therapy for treating anxiety and other symptoms related to SUD or dual diagnosis.
How Do Essential Oils Impact Your Health?
Essential oils help stimulate positive emotions and promote relaxation. The plant extracts used in essential oils affect different brain regions and have been reported to improve mood, reduce anxiety, and decrease depressive symptoms in some individuals.
Essential oils impact people’s health in several ways, including:
- Improving mood
- Promoting respiratory health
- Improving quality of sleep
- Providing relief from minor pain or discomfort
- Improving digestive health
- Balancing hormones
Researchers are unsure how essential oils work or how they may impact a person’s mental and physical health. Research studies have had mixed results about the effectiveness of essential oils. Some people may not experience significant differences, while others may feel profound symptom relief. Scientists have discovered a connection between the olfactory system and emotions. Scents impact how people feel, their moods, and their emotional stability.
Who Benefits From Aromatherapy?
Not everyone benefits from aromatherapy. Some individuals have high sensitivities to certain scents or plant oils. Bright Mission Recovery conducts comprehensive assessments to determine if clients would benefit from aromatherapy or other complementary services. Individuals who may not respond to aromatherapy can choose from other alternative and evidence-based therapies to address symptoms.
The people who benefit most from aromatherapy during treatment for SUD include:
- Individuals with heightened stress responses or anxiety
- People experiencing persistent or severe withdrawal symptoms
- Individuals struggling with sleep disturbances
- People with a history of trauma
- Individuals who have shown resistance to traditional treatments
- People living with chronic pain
Clinicians use aromatherapy as an additional support for managing many conditions, including SUD. Clients often feel in control and engaged in treatment if they find positive ways to focus and relax. Clinicians use aromatherapy to help clients feel more peaceful and calm.
Essential Oils at Bright Mission Recovery
Aromatherapy and essential oils provide relief by offering clients a low-stress way to address anxiety and other symptoms related to SUD. Clients do not need to talk or complete any specific activities to experience the benefits of aromatherapy. All they need to do is breathe and let the oils act on their body systems. Many people find it helpful to use aromatherapy before or after high-stress therapy sessions to reduce any lingering anxiety or body tension. Oils promote muscle relaxation and calm the mind, allowing people to heal and move forward. Essential oils also ease withdrawal symptoms that may otherwise interfere with treatment.
Benefits of Complementary Treatments
Everyone reacts to essential oils differently. Some individuals may be more sensitive to their effects, while others may not notice much change. Anyone with a plant or food allergy should speak with their care team and personal doctor before participating in aromatherapy.
A few of the primary benefits of essential oils and other complementary treatments include:
- Immediate stress relief
- Decreased nausea
- Improved mood
- Muscle relaxation
- Improved sleep
- Reduced pain related to headaches
- Decreased body discomfort
Clients struggling with persistent symptoms of SUD may find it easier to manage their condition after combining evidence-based modalities with complementary services like aromatherapy. Although essential oils may not directly impact withdrawal, they can reduce some side effects.
Using Aromatherapy Alongside Other Treatments
Aromatherapy is most effective alongside evidence-based treatments, including psychotherapy, peer support, and prescription medications. The relaxing effect of essential oils facilitates greater focus during traditional treatment sessions. For example, individuals who feel stressed and anxious may have a hard time focusing during group therapy and may miss vital insights. Clients participating in aromatherapy may feel more relaxed and calm during group therapy, allowing them to focus more fully on the information being shared. Bright Mission Recovery encourages clients to take advantage of holistic therapies, including aromatherapy, to manage symptoms, maintain positive mental health, and increase self-awareness during rehabilitation.
Aromatherapy is an alternative holistic therapy used to help people achieve a sense of calm and relaxation. Individuals in rehabilitation often feel stress, family pressure to remain abstinent, and destabilizing symptoms related to their condition. Treatment programs assist clients in overcoming challenges using a variety of evidence-based and holistic therapies, including aromatherapy. Some clients benefit from engaging in meditation or mindfulness techniques while taking advantage of the calming effects of essential oils. The combination can improve mood and focus. Bright Mission Recovery offers aromatherapy in every treatment program to facilitate stress reduction and craving management. To learn more about our programs and the health benefits of aromatherapy, contact our office today by calling (747) 444-3284.