Recovering from substance abuse or addiction is possible, and many people are able to find holistic remedies that allow them to create new habits they enjoy that leave them feeling much happier.

I am one of those people. I also know a lot of teachers that found these remedies helpful and I’m so excited to share them with you.

Coming out of college, I personally had no tools to deal with getting out of a party lifestyle. I didn’t know what to do or how to socialize. I was stuck in a cycle without ideas of alternative ways of enjoying life. Having spent years finding what does work, I am happy to share now what I’ve found.

Western society does not have the best health awareness. We live this go big or go home lifestyle where flashy living is considered popular and healthy and normal. In other cultures, they know how to keep their endorphins, energy, and minds on a positive trajectory without looking for some happiness in a bottle or drug.

Now we will look to their wisdom for our answers. It takes about 20-40 days to create a new habit so be patient as you replace one habit with another. Visualize how you’ll feel different in just a month by sticking to one (or a few) of these holistic wellness tips for beating addiction and recovery.

1. Join a Yoga Studio & Practice Daily

This offers you a community of caring people who are focused on health and healing. If you don’t have one in your town, you can use online programs like YogaGlo, Gaia or Asana Rebel. Any type of exercise done for about 40 minutes will help release endorphins and this is key to your healing process.

2. Use Valerian To Help Produce GABA in The Brain

Valerian is a root that can reduce anxiety and help you feel at ease. The brain stops producing sufficient amounts of GABA with alcohol abuse or Xanax addiction. This has been very effective for people who are left with no way to handle anxiety trying to be sober.

3. Don’t Isolate Yourself, Find Like-Minded Healing Groups for Support

Isolation is bad for our well-being and causes depression. Get involved in groups that are helping others and it will build a sense of community and purpose that will make you feel much more good about yourself. Look up volunteer opportunities, look up healing classes at metaphysical centers or yoga studios, and start to network with healthy-minded, inspiring people who will become your support system. You don’t have to do this alone.

4. Do Breath of Fire 11 Minutes Daily & Practice Kundalini

The Breath of Fire breathing technique can help strengthen your nervous system by bringing prana (also known as ki or life force) into your body. This breathing is rhythmic and done by pushing air out of your nose and letting your inhale naturally happen through your nose. Your stomach snaps in as you forcefully exhale. There are great videos of this online. Breath of Fire rebuilds your aura and makes you feel high without the drugs. You can work up to 30 minutes.

5. Get On a Normal Sleep Cycle & Read About Recovery

Your body needs to get regular sleep for it to repair its organs. Getting adequate sleep is crucial in recovery. Understand what other people have had success with and common things that can come up in the process by reading about recovery. Get books about holistic recovery (Russell Brand has a great one) and feel proud of this new chapter!

Concluding Thoughts…

Use some detoxifying herbs to help cleanse your systems and check out the incredible cleanses on www.35forlife.com. You can always go to your local health food store and chat with the vitamin specialist on which cleanse can help you get toxins out of your body. It will help to drink at least 2 liters of alkaline water daily to lower inflammation that causes your body to feel inflamed and thus emotionally compromised. Eat plants that will give you nutrients in your salads and smoothies and take raw multivitamins to get your body functioning properly again. Taking an adaptogen like ginseng or a hormone balancing blend can help your mood stabilize as well.

This article is not meant to supersede or replace medical advice. Once you’ve been evaluated by professionals or undergone a medical detox, these tips can help you know how to use your time on holistic recovery methods. If you aren’t sure if you need to go through rehab or a detox, it’s good to call and speak to professionals. There are free programs available and certain chemicals require a medical detox to micro-dose yourself off of drugs.

If you are drinking a lot and feel like it’s out of control, take this advice and get into holistic wellness Your emotional base and habits will shift over the weeks and months as you begin to create a new normal in your life. The brain creates patterns of thinking that it gets used to and we can direct them. Just tell yourself each day, this is the best thing I have ever done for myself.

Also consider working with a trusted (and sober) spiritual healer who has a good reputation for healing. They can offer you Reiki and intuitive counselling on the root emotional pain that led you to turn to substances. They can help you find direction, inner strength and purpose. For some daily guidance, I love the brands RokSoba, Ekka Recovery, Sober King Apparel, and Sober Is Sexy on Instagram which provide inspiration for sober living.

Just remember, you’re not alone. Kicking your addiction is hard, but you are stronger.