Using Aromatherapy For Addiction Recovery

Going through recovery from addictions of any sort is undoubtedly one of the most challenging things to go through. I've always been an advocate for alternative options for treating and managing everything from the common cold to the most detrimental conditions. And while these therapies in an of themselves, may not be the end all, be all to treatment; they can play an important role in conjunction with other therapies. I think it's best to incorporate many of these "alternative" therapies into your regime for the most optimal results. 

So, previously we talked a little about some crystals and stones that are beneficial for recovery from addiction, including Amethyst and Citrine. Today I'd like to look at some aromatherapy options. Aromatherapy is, simply put, "therapy with scents". We all know that certain smells can illicit specific responses and emotions in us. When I smell cut grass, it brings up pleasant reminders of summers as a child. On the other hand, when I smell rotten eggs or smelly garbage, my sensory blocks are going to go up! And certainly different smells will illicit different emotions in different people! 

So, when looking at which scents will be beneficial when going through the recovery process, it's important to look at the different emotions that someone goes through and then we can attach a scent to that emotion to alleviate it or intensify it. There are essential oils and incenses that can help with anxiety, brain fog, sleep and many other issues that are often experienced during the recovery process. So, lets look at what some of these scents are that can help with each "symptom"....

Brain fog is something fairly common not only when in the beginning stages of recovery, but also with other autoimmune disorders and chronic conditions. Some scents that could help bring about mental clarity include: eucalyptus and Ginger oil. 

Feeling depressed, or "down in the dumps"? Using scents such as Bergamot, Jasmine, Pine and Rosemary. Everyone may respond a little differently to different scents, so you'll want to find the one or two that speak to you. I tend to avoid Rosemary, but find that Pine essential oil is very uplifting for me. 

I know so many friends who deal with anxiety and this is something that can be very intensified when going through the recovery process. Some of the scents that may help you alleviate that anxiety would be: Clary Sage, dill oil, Orange, Lemon and Lavender. 

Some of the scents used for anxiety can also be beneficial when dealing with sleepless nights, such as Ylang Ylang, Chamomile and Lavender. 

So, how would you use these in recovery? Well, there are a few ways. The easiest method would be to purchase a few different essential oils online or at a health food store, or even from someone who distributes a certain brand and dab a bit on various points on your body. This can be your wrists, behind the ear, on the clavicles, etc. Anywhere you'll be able to smell the scent throughout your day or night. Another option would be to purchase and burn the scent in the form of incense. I can tell you that the scent that arises from an incense stick may not be exactly the same as the scent you'll get from the actual essential oil though. I love the scent of pine; but when I burn pine as incense on a charcoal disc, it's a very different scent! You could also put the essential oils in a diffuser which will slowly heat up and disperse the scent in a whole room. Don't have a diffuser? Boil some water with a few drops of your chosen scent in it and let the steam draw that scent into your kitchen.

What other scents have you found helpful in dealing with the recovery process? How have you used them?