Whole Body Approach to Addiction Treatment Touted as New Model
Alternative treatments for drug and alcohol addictions are gaining more attention in the media as individuals are searching for methods that are deemed more “healthy.” In response to this increased demand, Alternative Treatment International has developed the Mind-Body-Spirit-Environment wellness approach to addiction therapy.
This approach suggests that mental health and addiction treatment programs that focus on the total wellness of the whole person are key to moving away from the disease and sickness model used so frequently in treatment program’s today. Yahoo! News reported on this latest advancement in treatments.
Dr. Alan Meyers and Julia Stewart, Founders and developers of the A.T.I. Perception Therapy Wellness Model noted, "Addiction and Mental Health treatment today primarily promote disease, sickness and a fear-based life where relapse is only a moment away.”
Meyers and Stewart highlight what they consider to be faults in traditional programs that focus attention on the addiction, depression, behavioral patterns, etc. instead of the cause of the problem. The two believe that it is impossible to know what approach a client may latch onto and as a result, it is important to treat the whole person and not just the addiction.
The program offered by A.T.I. is designed to focus only on the positive and hopeful resolution of client life problems. This includes the addictive behaviors and psycho-emotional dysfunction using an empowering and total wellness approach.
The founders of A.T.I. believe that traditional rehab is on its way out and that total wellness as a lead treatment model will emerge in mental health and addiction programming. As this trend gains traction, it will be the long-term positive results and reduction in relapses that will dictate the success of this approach.
