Holistic approaches are part of many recovery programs.
They can help you heal and grow through all stages of recovery.
- Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is an ancient practice that uses oils from plants and herbs to boost your mood, improve your sleep, lower stress and enhance a feeling of calm and well-being.

AromaWeb
This website has over 80 articles on aromatherapy - its history, ingredients, safety, usage, storage and more. Detailed descriptions of 130 essential oils are also available. Click on “Essential Oil Profiles” on the top menu bar. Click here for essential oils used for emotional well-being. Click here for a list of places to buy high quality essential oils.
How to Find an Aromatherapist

The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA)
NAHA has a Directory of Aromatherapists that lists practitioners who are members of NAHA and meet the association's requirements for membership.

Aromatherapy Registration Council (ARC)
ARC is a non-profit organization that ensures practitioners have a core level of aromatherapy knowledge in order to become Registered Aromatherapists (RA). You can search for Registered Aromatherapists (RA) by state and city by clicking on Find an RA.
Research StudiesResearch Studies
Aromatherapy can help manage pain, nausea, anxiety, depression, stress and insomnia in the inpatient or outpatient setting. These issues are often part of the addiction recovery process.
Farrar AJ, Farrar FC. Clinical Aromatherapy. Nurs Clin North Am. 2020 Dec;55(4):489-504.
Two essential oils (black pepper and angelica) were studied to see their effect on smoking. One drop of essential oil on a tissue was inhaled for 2 minutes when a nicotine craving began. Both essential oils reduced the level of craving and helped people go longer without smoking. Aromatherapy may help with nicotine withdrawal.
Cordell B, Buckle J. The effects of aromatherapy on nicotine craving on a U.S. campus: a small comparison study. J Altern Complement Med. 2013 Aug;19(8):709-13.
- Acupuncture
- Animal/Pet Therapy
- Biofeedback
- Creative Arts Therapy: Art, Dance, Drama, Music, Poetry
- Coloring Therapy
- Gardening
- Guided Imagery
- Herbal Therapy
- Homeopathy
- Hypnosis
- Journaling
- Massage Therapy and Bodywork
- Meditation/Mindfulness
- Nature
- Nutrition
- QiGONG
- Yoga