How Herbs Are Being Used In Medical Treatment For Drug Addiction

Since ancient times, natural botanicals (herbs) have been used for healing, but now there is a new application–the supervised combination of herbs with synthetic pharmaceuticals and other holistic therapies to treat drug addiction. The aim is to treat mind, body, and spirit as a whole.

About 18% of adults in the U.S. use some form of alternative substance. Accordingly, demand for integrative drug addiction programs that combine herbs with medication-assisted treatment is increasing. Currently, about nine U.S. states offer this “adjunctive therapy,” with most facilities located in California and Florida.

Increasing Research on the Integration of Botanicals into Addiction Treatment 

With the growing number of substance use disorders, including those involving fentanyl, being treated solely with synthetic pharmaceuticals, medical science has been investigating other treatment approaches. The abused substances include opioids, benzodiazepines, stimulants, sedatives, and recreational drugs.

According to a 2021 study, limited research indicates that botanicals have the potential to reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms without increasing the risk of adverse effects. We still need larger trials to confirm these findings. 

Botanicals provide gentle, complementary support for the foundational pharmaceuticals that treat opioid addiction—drugs like buprenorphine, Suboxone, methadone, and naltrexone. Similarly, herbs are also being used as complementary support for the treatment of benzodiazepine dependence, using drugs such as Librium, Valium, and Klonopin.

These herbal supplements never replace pharmaceuticals—instead, they support the patient with enhanced sleep, reduced anxiety and agitation, digestive and liver support, detox support, and better tolerance of withdrawal.

Botanicals Typically Used to Complement Medically-Assisted Treatment in Accredited Drug Treatment Programs

Opioid Treatment – Passionflower, lemon balm, skullcap (American), chamomile, California poppy, valerian, ginger, peppermint, fennel, ashwagandha, and elements of Traditional Chinese Medicine are sometimes used.

Benzodiazepine Treatment – Passionflower, lower-dose valerian root, lemon balm, ashwagandha, and chamomile.

Accreditation for Integrative Treatment Facilities that Offer Addiction Treatment

The three optimal standards for behavioral health facilities with integrative drug treatment programs are state accreditation, The Joint Commission accreditation, or C.A.R.F. accreditation. However, some facilities may be state-accredited yet still offer strong programs.

1) The Joint Commission’s Behavioral Care and Human Services Administration. You can use their website’s behavioral health database to verify whether an integrative treatment provider is accredited.

2) C.A.R.F., a private organization that ensures programs meet international quality and safety standards and demonstrate continuous improvement. You can use C.A.R.F.’s website database to locate an accredited provider after determining whether it’s “integrative.”

How Botanicals Are Administered in Accredited Comprehensive Treatment Programs

This “whole person” approach typically incorporates counseling, acupuncture, exercise, yoga, mindfulness or meditation, nutrition, and/or other natural therapies. In addition, herbs are always prescribed and monitored by a licensed herbalist or naturopath. There’s also oversight from a medical doctor or addiction specialist. As a result, this approach helps patients remain in treatment with greater commitment and makes withdrawal safer and more tolerable.

Because herbs are not FDA-regulated, they can interact with medications and cause adverse effects if not used properly. Because of that, the licensed naturopath carefully integrates one herb at a time, layering them at successive stages of withdrawal and recovery.

Best Practices and Safety Considerations for Accredited Integrative Treatment

The herbal supplements are screened for interactions with medications, and standardized herbs are administered at standardized dosages. Vitamins and minerals are often used in conjunction with supplements.

Joint Commission-accredited programs always use evidence-based medicine. The programs they accredit never use the herbs kratom, kava, iboga, salvia divinorum, or high-dose St. John’s Wort. These have been shown to pose medical risks. A program is “accredited” if herbs are documented in the medical record, dosed and scheduled, reviewed and supervised by licensed clinicians, and discontinued if adverse effects occur.

Here Are Some Drug Treatment Facilities that Use Herbal Integrative Treatment Accredited by C.A.R.P., The Joint Commission, or Their State:

• Alternatives to Meds Center – Sedona, Arizona
• Cypress Lake Recovery – Woodside, Texas
• The Sanctuary at Sedona – Sedona, Arizona
• Barn Life Recovery – Costa Mesa, California

An integrative drug treatment program combines the protection of evidence-based pharmaceuticals with the mind-body stabilization of natural herbs, all under the supervision of licensed clinicians. This comprehensive approach, which incorporates botanicals, provides greater patient safety, participation, and satisfaction. Future comprehensive treatment programs promise to become even more standardized and regulated.

If you’re looking for integrated drug treatment for opioids, benzodiazepines, stimulants, cannabis, sedatives, hallucinogens, or inhalants, contact the Holistic Drug Rehab Helpline (844) 561-0606. Specifically request an addiction treatment facility that integrates “herbal” or “naturopathic” therapy in combination with medically-assisted treatment (“MAT”) under clinical supervision. This modern, supportive “whole person” approach may be the therapy you’ve been seeking.

Featured image via Nataliya Vaitkevich on Pexels