In the past few decades, there has been a huge amount of growth in addiction therapy. While healthcare providers still focus on tried-and-tested techniques like medication and talk therapy, they are also realizing the benefits of other treatment options. One of the most intriguing additions to addiction treatment is reiki therapy. This form of alternative medicine has its roots in Japanese healing practices, but it has practitioners all over the world. If you’re interested in applying reiki treatment to alcohol abuse issues, here’s what you need to know.
Table of Contents
Understanding Reiki
What is Reiki? This healthcare practice focuses on guiding the flow of energy throughout the body. It gets its name from the Japanese word “rei,” which means “universal,” and the word “ki” which means “vital energy.” After originating in the 1920s in Japan, reiki eventually spread to the United States in the 1970s. Since then, it’s become one of the most popular forms of holistic healing.
How Reiki Works
Reiki treatments are provided by a practitioner who acts as a middle ground between the patient and universal energy forces. The practitioner places their hands on or above the patient to gently redirect this energy to the appropriate spot. Most treatments last around an hour, and patients typically spend the time lying down and relaxing while the practitioner does their work. The primary goal of reiki treatment is to encourage energy to flow evenly through your chakras. Reiki practitioners say this can address energy imbalances that may be causing problems like pain or anxiety.
Benefits of Reiki
People who try reiki often report noticeable improvements in how they feel afterward. Some people say that they have less pain, better peace of mind, reduced depression, or a faster healing rate. Research backs up some of these claims. Studies show that reiki is more effective than a placebo at doing things like reducing pain and lowering blood pressure. Overall, it can help people improve their well-being and quality of life.
Alcohol’s Dangerous Impacts
To understand why reiki might be useful for people who drink alcohol, it’s necessary to take a closer look at how alcohol affects the body. Though this drink is often stereotyped as a form of harmless fun, the reality is that it can have a negative impact on many aspects of your life.
Physical Effects of Alcohol
Chemically speaking, alcohol is a toxic substance that can directly damage many parts of your body. Even just one night of drinking can be fatal if you drink too much. Alcohol interferes with normal brain functioning, slows breathing, and causes irregular cardiovascular activity. Long-term usage can be even worse. Research has linked long-term alcohol use with many health issues including:
- Increased risk of heart attack
- Liver damage and liver disease
- Higher rates of gastrointestinal cancer
- Pancreas inflammation and pancreatitis
- Higher risks of breast cancer
- Decreased immune system functioning
- Increased likelihood of dementia
Emotional and Mental Effects of Alcohol
Alcohol also impacts several important hormones and neurotransmitters that regulate your mood. Alcohol use has been linked to higher risks of many mental health disorders such as depression. People who regularly abuse alcohol are more likely to report negative issues such as:
- Anxiety
- Sadness
- Stress
- Apathy
- Anger
Alcohol Addiction
All of the negative effects of alcohol are worsened by the fact that this substance is highly addictive. If you drink it regularly, your brain and your body begin to crave it. Once a person has alcohol dependency, they’ll keep abusing alcohol despite negative consequences. For many people, alcohol addiction can destroy their health, their relationships, their finances, and their careers.
Reiki as a Complementary Therapy for Alcohol Addiction
As reiki becomes more popular, more and more addiction centers have started adding it to their treatment plans. Rehab locations interested in creating a whole-body approach to addiction find that reiki can be a very useful complementary therapy. Though it cannot heal addiction on its own, it can be a valuable part of a person’s journey back to health and happiness.
Reiki Techniques for Healing
Reiki practitioners have a lot of different methods for helping patients. In cases of alcohol addiction, they typically focus on techniques that prioritize healing and calming energy. For example, reiki clearing techniques and methods for extracting harmful energy can help patients who are dealing with lingering stress or trauma from alcoholism. Meanwhile, techniques like infusing and beaming may help to provide people with peace or encourage their bodies to heal.
Advantages of Reiki for Alcohol Use
Reiki comes with a lot of potential benefits. Here are some of the most common reasons people find it useful to incorporate reiki into addiction therapy:
- Improve relaxation
- Decrease stress and anxiety
- Enhance your motivation to stay sober
- Enjoy better sleep
- Connect with your spirituality
- Reduce pain or withdrawal issues
- Manage cravings better
Integrating Reiki Into Alcohol Recovery Plans
Of course, anyone struggling with alcohol use disorder has the option of seeing a reiki practitioner in their free time. However, it can be particularly helpful to incorporate the reiki sessions into the rest of one’s alcohol treatment plan. Here are some tips for getting the most out of reiki during alcohol recovery.
Find a Qualified Practitioner
Of course, one of the most important things is to select a qualified reiki practitioner. Reiki is not a technique that requires a license to practice. However, it’s still important to get assistance from someone with plenty of training and experience. Before selecting a practitioner, ask them where they learned the service and how long they’ve been a practitioner. It can also be useful to see whether they’re trained in any other complementary treatments like shiatsu or acupuncture.
Consult With Healthcare Professionals
Don’t forget that reiki works best when used alongside evidence-based therapies. Make sure to talk to other healthcare providers, so you can get a full host of treatment options. Traditional treatments like medication, cognitive behavioral therapy, and group therapy are also an essential part of the recovery process. Combining treatments, such as using reiki to unwind after an intense therapy session, can help you make the most out of all your treatment options.
Create a Personalized Healing Plan
When you’re using reiki to target a specific issue like addiction, most practitioners will recommend a full treatment plan. Instead of just having one session, people typically prefer to get reiki on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Keep in mind that reiki often works well with other complementary holistic treatments. You may want to work with your treatment team to create a plan that also includes options like yoga or guided meditation.
Potential Challenges of Incorporating Reiki Into Treatment
Reiki does have some promising applications for addiction treatment, but it’s not for everyone. Here are some potential issues to be aware of before trying reiki in addiction recovery centers.
Limitations of Reiki
It’s important to acknowledge that research on reiki is fairly mixed. While no research has shown that reiki is harmful, some studies on the benefits of reiki have failed to fully prove its advantages. Reiki cannot replace other types of medical care or instantly heal addiction. While some people find it to be a helpful supplement, it is not a requirement for addiction care.
Ethical Considerations
Like any other treatment, reiki should only be performed after a patient is fully informed and has been able to consent to it. Since it is linked to spiritual practices, providers need to be particularly sensitive to patients’ beliefs. While it can be effective for certain patients, others may find that it is at odds with their religion or personal choices. Addiction centers need to remain respectful and ensure that patients who desire reiki can access it while those who do not can avoid it.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, reiki is an intriguing addition to alcohol abuse treatment. For patients who find that reiki helps alleviate stress and promote healing, it can be a fantastic way of improving general well-being.
At Long Island Interventions, we’re happy to provide patients with a variety of holistic treatments. In addition to our evidence-based medical care, we also focus on treatment options that help you rebuild your life. Just like dance therapy, mindfulness, and yoga, we believe reiki can be a valuable tool for recovery. To learn more about our treatment options, contact us today!
Published on: 2024-08-17
Updated on: 2024-10-14
