Addiction field is finally embracing holistic treatment

There was a time not long ago when addiction professionals would chuckle upon hearing a colleague talk of providing “holistic” treatment.  Or when a treatment center would provide an hour of yoga for the newly recovering addicts -- mostly to keep them busy while the staff planned the next talk therapy session.

Today, it would appear that some of the most prestigious treatment centers can’t move fast enough to be associated with the term, now that more are seeing how complementary therapies can help improve upon the success of traditional treatment strategies. Later this month, about 1,000 professionals are expected to attend a conference in Las Vegas called “Holistic Treatment: Changing the Way We Look at Recovery—Body, Mind & Spirit.” A state conference, sponsored by the Wisconsion Association on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse, is titled "Science, Treatment & Wellness in Collaboration for a Holistic Recovery" and is coming up  May 10-12 in Middletown.

Holistic treatment is here for sufferers of addiction in a bigger way than ever before. And although recovery people have long preached the three-part nature of the bio-psycho-social affliction, most of the focus was still on talk therapy and Twelve-Step meetings.

Now acupuncture, massage, yoga, nutrition and other complementary methods are included in the treatment mix as authentically healing. I want to say a good word for alternatives to talk therapy which are much more inclusive of the whole self -- and include mind-body therapies like psychodrama -- it's been around for a while but now with many new innovations -- plus tapping, Systemic Constellation Work, Somatic Experiencing, EMDR and others.

Foods and delicious recipes that fight cancer

We already know that the quality and selection of food affects our weight, energy and emotional health. Now there is a resurgence in natural care options, including diet, that are available for people with cancer.

I just received these titles from Mercedes Dzindzeleta, a Racine massage therapist and bodyworker who has been researching alternative cancer treatments and adjuncts to cancer treatments. Her discovery of several cookbooks for cancer survivors and patients is worth sharing.

These new cookbooks are attractive and show wholesome and healthy foods of all kinds. I had the opportunity to taste the resuilts of one recipe, a soft-as-a-cloud sponge cake sweetened with maple syrup --  delicious!

The queen of these cookbooks appears to be Rebecca Katz, author of "The Cancer Fighting-Kitchen" and "One Bite At A Time." Both focus on immune-building recipes with easy-to-find ingredients that stimulate appetite and address treatment side-effects including fatigue, nausea, mouth and throat soreness, and low blood counts.

Another new classic is "Foods to Fight Cancer: Essential Foods To Help Prevent Cancer"  by Richard Beliveau.

Ed Tick on the traumatic wounds of war

"The traumatic wounds of war take over the entire consciousness." -- Ed Tick, author of "War and The Soul: Healing Our Nation's Veterans From Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder."

Here is a video worth watching:

True stories of the need for the new health care law

One question that I've been asking myself lately:

How can people be  angry about more people recieving health care?

Watch the newspapers, the blogs and the evening news, and we learn that many are not only angry, but violently and extremely angry, about the passage of the new health care bill. In many cases, the anger is focused toward misinfomration -- ideas about what the health care bill does and doesn't do -- that aren't even correct.

As a health professional myself, I have had front row seat for more than 20 years to see people who are denied care for many reasons -- insurance companies who do not cover pre-existing conditions:

Insurance companies who do not think a diagnosis is "serious" enough to merit treatment. People who through no fault of their own lose their jobs and therefore lose their insurance. People who cannot find a full-time job with benefits, no matter how hard they look. People who have amazingly high deductibles of $3,000 or more before any reimbursement is considered. People who are limited to number of psychotherapy sessions they may receive for the year.

I can't share the names and details due to my professional pledge of confidentiality but I can share the story of a close friend whose young adult daughter will be covered by the new law. See the Associated  Press story, 2 Million Eager For Health Care On Parents' Plans.

The new law isn't perfect and there is discussion about the best way to implement it. But it demonstrates progress and inclusion and makes our country healthier.

As the for the extreme reactions, I remember, as a psychotherapist, that the left brain logic is currently on vacation while the right brain fear takes full stage. I pray that the right brain of all those who are panicked can be soothed.