Opium is not a new drug. There are records of opium use in Ancient Egypt, China, and most eastern countries. According to the Drug Enforcement Museum, opium use dates back to around 3,400 B.C. when the Southwest Asians and Sumerians began growing opium poppies. Unfortunately, opium addiction has been around just as long. This means that even in ancient times there was a need to treat opiate addiction. Some of these treatments survived the ages and are now in use in progressive treatment centers around the world.
Kratom
Although Kratom has recently come under fire for its recreational use, it is still in use in some eastern countries as a substitute of the more dangerous opiates. Like modern drugs such as methadone and Suboxone Kratom blocks the opioid receptors. The use of Kratom for addiction treatment is not approved in the United States but there are some universities doing research on its possibilities.
Yoga
Yoga is a form of physical exercise and meditation. This controlled series of movements dates back to ancient times. Many people use yoga to calm themselves as well as control cravings and other addiction related problems. When you practice yoga, you center your mind and body. The movements and stretching decreases muscle tension and increases concentration. Many treatment centers are now using yoga to help patients overcome their addiction.
Qigong
Qigong is similar to yoga in that it involves body movements and concentration to treat withdrawal and other problems associated with addiction. Most of these movements are designed to improve overall health and wellness. It teaches mindfulness of the body, mental state, and spirit. Although this is relatively new on the addiction treatment scene in the United States, there are centers in china that believe it can help with anything from addiction to chronic pain.
Dietary Changes
Dietary changes are nothing new. A healthy body helps to achieve a healthy mind. Many modern processed foods have been linked to various mental and physical disorders. You can change your body chemistry with simple dietary changes. Most of the dietary changes are simply adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet as well as more vitamins.
Many modern addiction treatment clinics offer dietary counseling and nutrition advice. If you are in an inpatient treatment facility, they usually start to correct your diet immediately and then give you nutritional counseling.
Herbal Remedies
Ancient herbal remedies for addiction are still in use in many areas. Most of these herbs are easily found and alternative or holistic treatment centers use them to help relieve the symptoms of withdrawal and cravings for opiates. A few of these herbs are:
- Indian Ginseng – this herb is known to reduce the symptoms of morphine withdrawal and tolerance.
- Laurel Clock Vine – this herb protects the liver from liver toxicity.
These are only two of the more common herbal remedies for opiate addiction. There are more but using them depends on the severity of the addiction and withdrawal symptoms.
10 Amazingly Effective Eastern Medicine Treatments for Opiate Addiction
How to Find these Treatments
You can find a treatment center that uses ancient opiate addiction treatments simply by calling 877-743-0081 (Who Answers?). Most of these are readily available at holistic and alternative addiction treatment centers.