Last Updated on September 15, 2021 by Morris Green

Recovering from alcohol or substance abuse is a challenge, and most people are not getting the help that they need to be on the path towards sobriety. Moreover, a new report from the Legal Action Center and the Bloomberg Initiative states that despite the widespread agreement on the importance of addiction treatment in the ER, many hospitals fail to screen for substance abuse, and most neglect to connect patients to follow-up care. Recovering from drug addiction often entails getting treated in emergency rooms by health professionals, depending on the severity of the situation. However, there are other, more natural ways to achieve long-term abstinence, and one may do so through eco-friendly recovery methods. Not only will it benefit your health, but you’ll also achieve sobriety without harming the planet. Here are some ideas to create a sustainable addiction recovery plan for your wellbeing.

Spend Time in Nature

Your environment can play a huge role in your recovery, which is why it’s important to have a clean and chemical free living space as you work towards sobriety. You can do so by using green-cleaning methods to clean your home, which can help to prevent dangerous chemicals and VOCs from being released into the air. Spending time outdoors can also help you recover from addiction since studies show that being in nature can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, which are often experienced by those who are battling substance or alcohol addiction. Moreover, exposure to nature may even reduce cravings for alcohol and drugs, as well as control cravings for nicotine and unhealthy foods. 

Apart from going for a walk or a hike, other ways to spend time outdoors that will benefit your health and the planet include organizing a beach cleanup, going on a sustainable fishing trip, or joining a green marathon to raise awareness and advocacy for the environment. You’ll get a feeling of accomplishment after doing these activities, which will encourage you to strive and work even harder to achieve sobriety. Not only that, but you’ll also boost your self-esteem as you find ways to heal yourself by creating positive changes in the world around you. 

Try Holistic Healing

Natural or holistic healing can also help those who are struggling with addiction to attain a long-lasting recovery. One such method is aromatherapy, and using essential oils such as lavender, peppermint, bergamot, ginger, rosemary, and lemon oil can all help to alleviate stress and calm the mind during the recovery process. Meanwhile, healing crystals can also help you to ward off negative energy which may interfere with recovery. Some crystals that may help you to recover from addiction include amethyst, which can help people with withdrawal symptoms and ward temptation. Blue tiger’s eye can ease stress and enhance mental focus, while black onyx has a calming effect. Carnelian can also be useful since it may enable you to break bad habits that can affect your wellbeing and relationships. 

Plant a Vegetable Garden

Good nutrition is essential to any addiction recovery plan, so why not plant a vegetable garden? Eating vegetables that will balance the serotonin levels in the brain, such as lentils, beans, potatoes, and carrots, can help to keep you calm and have a balanced mood. Also, a study has shown that plants can awaken positive feelings in people who are recovering from addiction, so this is another good reason why you should plant a few veggies in your backyard. Growing vegetables also reduces your carbon footprint since you don’t need to make so many trips to the store to buy food, and it helps the environment since it can improve soil texture and structure. 

The road to sobriety can be a rocky one, but adding natural and sustainable methods to your recovery plan may help to ease the path towards health and happiness. Consider these ideas for an eco-friendly recovery, and discover how you can heal yourself and the planet at the same time.