What is Biofeedback and How Can it Help in Addiction Therapy

There are many ways to treat any addiction that is present, and individualized care is the best way to effectively tackle this disease.

There are many ways to treat any addiction that is present, and individualized care is the best way to effectively tackle this disease. When you enter a drug and alcohol treatment program, you will be given a proper assessment that will be needed to create the most customized treatment plan for your needs and recovery goals. Your treatment plan may include unique therapy methods that will be utilized to treat your addiction and catered to your needs. Biofeedback for addiction treatment is an alternative expressive therapy approach for struggling addicts that may improve their health by using signals from their own bodies. The treatment experts at Banyan Treatment Center in Philadelphia utilize numerous therapy methods depending on the individual and the addiction present.

What is Biofeedback?

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, “biofeedback is a self‐regulation technique through which patients learn to voluntarily control what were once thought to be involuntary body processes.” Biofeedback helps people become more mindful of their overall thoughts, feelings, and behaviors so that they can self-regulate them during difficult times. When it comes to treating addiction, this therapy approach can be extremely beneficial in helping people take control over how their body responds to stressful situations that would normally result in substance abuse. During biofeedback, therapists track a patient’s heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate. A biofeedback machine records bodily functions and can help a recovering addict understand how the mind and body are affected by substance abuse.

The first stage of addiction treatment generally includes detoxification, which can come with unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. These can be too much too handle on your own, and therapists at a drug and alcohol treatment center can use biofeedback for addiction treatment to help manage these withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety and restlessness. This approach to addiction therapy has been proven effective and can help numerous addicts overcome their struggles. Everyone has their own unique recovery story, and the treatment plan should be designed to fit that person’s needs.