According to the National Library of Medicine, scientists are currently studying eastern treatments for opiate addiction. The philosophy of many of the eastern treatment programs is not to treat just the addiction but the whole body. Many of these treatments are used in combination with each other. They believe in treating the mind, body, and spirit. When treating opiate addiction, they use body techniques, herbal medicines, and psychological therapies.
Body Techniques
1. Yoga
Yoga is an ancient art form that combines meditation and body movement to create strength and peace. In eastern medicine practicing yoga can help with cravings, strengthen the body, and reduce withdrawal symptoms.
2. Acupuncture
This is the practice of using needles on various pressure points in the body. They use acupuncture to reduce anxiety and stop emotional disturbances. They also use it to balance the entire body to reduce the physical and psychological symptoms of withdrawal.
3. Massage
Massage calms anxiety and promotes relaxation. It can also help to reduce the stress of addiction withdrawal. Many people turn to massage when other types of relaxation treatment is not working or when they cannot take traditional drugs.
Herbal Medicines

Herbal medicines can be used to reduce withdrawal symptoms and detox the body.
4. Kratom
Kratom is a cousin to the coffee plant that shows promise as an addiction treatment. Many places are making this herb illegal due to its own potential for abuse. It reduces or eliminates the symptoms of opiate withdrawal much like methadone does.
5. Milkweed
Milkweed is often used to detoxify the body. It works by helping the liver function which rids the body of the opiates faster.
6. Ginseng
Ginseng is an ancient herb that promotes health and relaxation. It sooths the stomach and the mind. Many people use ginseng for a variety of purposes including opiate withdrawal treatment.
7. Kava Kava
Kava Kava is a plant that is often used to treat anxiety and depression. It is said to give a calm peaceful feeling when consumed. There is a warning about using too much kava in any situation including opiate addiction. Kava can act like alcohol on the mind, which makes driving difficult.
Psychological Therapies
8. Individual Meditation
Individual meditation is an excellent way to create peace in your mind and calm the symptoms of withdrawal. Many people believe that through individual meditation, you can stop cravings and change the behavior that causes addiction.
9. Guided Meditation
Guided meditation is an ancient technique for both teaching meditation and for helping with opiate withdrawal and other illnesses. In guided meditation, a person walks you through meditation by using hushed tones and soothing sounds.
10. Relaxation Techniques
By teaching relaxation techniques, eastern practitioners use relaxation techniques to reduce the symptoms of withdrawal and cravings. Many of the techniques taught during relaxation training can be used over and over to stop relapse.
Although it might not seem like it, both opiate addiction and eastern medicine go back to ancient times. The use of opiates started in eastern medicine and they have been dealing with addiction for centuries. If you want to find a treatment clinic that uses eastern techniques and philosophies to treat opiate addiction, call us at 877-743-0081 (Who Answers?).
On Opium Addiction & Why ‘Knowing Your Limits’ is Not Enough -
While opium, per se, has a long history of recreational use dating as far back as the 1960s, many of today’s most addictive substances use opium-derived substances as main ingredients. Heroin and prescription pain medications lead the pack as the most commonly abused opium-based substances in existence. Opium drugs rank number one in terms of ...
Ways that you Sabotage your Recovery from Heroin Addiction -
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, heroin is one of the most difficult addictions to recover from. It also has an incredibly high relapse rate. Most people who try it on their own sabotage their own efforts to recover from heroin addiction. Listening to the Inner Addict One of the worst people to ...
Street Names for Opiates -
Opiates are abused often by many different individuals. Some people abuse prescription opiates after obtaining them either legally or illegally. Others abuse illicit opiates like heroin or opium. Many opiates have other terms or street names that are used when those who abuse the drugs are making reference to them. Why is It Important to ...
Will Opium Addicts Relapse After Treatment? -
According to Harvard Medical School, “Addiction is a chronic disease with no lasting inexpensive cure. Recovery, when it occurs, is precarious, and relapse is a constant danger.” This does not necessarily mean that an individual will definitely relapse after opium addiction treatment, but they will likely experience issues that will trigger them to relapse or ...
5 Medications Used in Opioid Abuse Treatment -
During the course of your opioid abuse treatment, you may receive several different medications depending on your needs. Call today to discuss the treatment options available to you and to find rehab centers that can meet your needs. 1. Naloxone When an individual comes into the ED having overdosed on opioids, they will usually be ...