Essential Oils & the Road to Addiction Recovery

Addiction is so prevalent that you don’t have to look far to find someone who is suffering from its influence and effects. Sometimes, you just have to look in the mirror. Addiction can be responsible for diminished self-worth, estrangement from family and friends, dismissal from work, and decline of physical health. The good news, though, is that there is hope! It’s never too late to start fighting addiction, and there are resources and tools available to help––including essential oils!

The book Modern Essentials defines addiction as “an obsession, compulsion, or extreme psychological dependence that interferes with an individual’s ability or desire to function normally“ (p.173).

Common addictions include drugs, alcohol, tobacco, video games, work, shopping, overeating, gambling, explicit images, money, etc.; however, addiction can present itself in many other forms as well. In the early stages of addiction, an individual may still be able to function in society; but as an addiction progresses, it can start to take over a person’s life and make it difficult for that person to work, take care of themselves, or have normal relationships. If an addiction isn’t controlled, the results can be detrimental to a person’s quality of life.

There are many programs and professionals out there that can help with addiction recovery, and we suggest that you get the help that you need. Some helpful suggestions for addiction recovery include finding a support group (have someone you can call in a weak moment), avoiding triggers (stay away from people and places that remind you of your addictive behavior), distracting yourself with hobbies, exercising regularly, eating healthy, and setting goals. All of these things can make a difference and be helpful on the road to change. Even if you follow all of the guidelines outlined by a program or a health care professional, the road to recovery from addiction can still be long and difficult; but it is possible. Essential oils can be a big help on this path.

Essential oils are great because they can help with many of the symptoms of withdrawal, such as nausea, headaches, insomnia, anxiety, etc., and they can help boost your mood and increase your energy (See Modern Essentials for supporting research) so that you can keep pushing forward on the road to recovery. Essential oils can also help reduce stress (See Modern Essentials p.274), which is important because stress is one of the biggest reasons why people engage in addictive behaviors in the first place. Below are a few essential oil suggestions from the book Modern Essentials that may be helpful for addiction recovery:

If there are other issues you are dealing with that aren’t listed here, Modern Essentials is a great resource to consult in finding which oils are often used for specific conditions. If you are the parent, friend, or spouse of someone struggling with addiction, it can be difficult to not get discouraged or wonder if you are somehow at fault for the circumstance. You can’t blame yourself though; people make their own choices. All you can do is show support and love and be there to help when the addict is ready to receive help. Arm yourself with the knowledge and resources (essentials oils certainly fall in this category) that can help when you are given the chance. Addiction recovery is very possible––especially with the help of essential oils and a good support system. Don’t lose hope. Get help, set goals, and get your life back!

Source: Modern Essentials: A Contemporary Guide to the Therapeutic Use of Essential Oils, 5th Edition, 2013.

Want to Teach a Class on This Subject?

One great product that we carry is a tear pad called “Addiction Recovery & Essential Oils.” This tear pad is designed to be used as a handout for classes and gives great information that you can use when teaching a class about addiction recovery.

  

This tear pad identifies some of the reasons people fail to quit their addictions (fear of withdrawal symptoms, lack of motivation, denial of addiction, or unrealistic expectations) and shares how essential oils can help in the recovery process. This tear pad states, “By using essential oils, one can change their attitude toward life and remove the need for immediate relief through harmful addictions.” This tear pad is available for purchase.