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The characteristics of an effective healing environment

When one seeks treatment for any type of ailment, an environment helps more than you know. If a person needs immediate treatment for addiction and substance abuse or mental health issues like depression, then they should be able to look for a rehab center that aims at complete recovery with an effective treatment plan. The quality of the environment, as well as the treatment approach, can either enhance recovery or hinder it. 

What is a Healing Environment? 

A healing environment basically means the type of atmosphere provided to encourage the ‘healing’ process. To heal means you become whole by creating harmony between the mind, body, and soul. Healing is more than just eradicating your issues, but finding out what caused it in the first place so as not to face them again. Many aspects are involved in the environment surrounding you. In the healthcare industry, effective healing environments can be known as Optimal Healing Environments (OHE). Many hospitals or rehab centers with an optimum drug abuse treatment program have been aiming to achieve OHEs with their healthcare system for a successful recovery process. They believe in the factors that can contribute towards one’s healing process and influence them by providing a therapeutic, restful environment with well-rounded care to help you through your most difficult time. These factors can be psychological, physical, social, spiritual, or behaviors, but they all have one thing in common: primary care for the patient. 

Psychological Characteristics 

Addiction is considered a psychological disease and it differs from one person to the other. Some rehab centers or hospitals apply OHE by creating individualized treatments and therapeutic programs to suit each patient. This kind of treatment plan is much more ideal than having a generic or fixed one; healing won’t come with a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach, it needs to be tailored according to the individual to see optimum results. The team of health professionals should be able to tackle the patient’s recovery through psychology because addiction can often be coupled with depression. So, psychotherapy treatments are also needed to show growth and improvement in the patient. 

Social and Behavioral Characteristics 

The team of professionals working at any rehab center needs to be fully equipped with handling any kind of patient. Addiction recovery is such a sensitive time for the patient, so you need to be able to find that the healthcare team is made out of caregivers; they listen, educate, and promote a strong social bond. They need to be able to offer you the care, support, and encouragement you need to overcome this hurdle. They will keep you motivated during your treatment as well as help you transition back into society. They also need to be able to educate their patients on how to control their healing process by fully understanding it and managing regular healing practices.

Physical Characteristics 

The physical features and components of the hospital or rehab center actually play a vital role in the recovery process. The space needs to be controlled, safe, and inviting by providing a positive and relaxing atmosphere. This means that design is highly essential; the type and design of furniture this center has, the color schemes, the artwork, the room’s layout, and even the in-house media and entertainment can positively influence a patient’s recovery. Natural lighting, as well as numerous open space plans with access to nature, also helps in providing a nurturing atmosphere. 

Spiritual Characteristics 

One of the most difficult but feasible aspects that should be included in a treatment program is a spiritual angle. This doesn’t mean that a center should emphasize a specific religion or practice, but provide a truly holistic experience. It means that they should be able to foster practices that involve compassion, love, acceptance, awareness, and a spiritual connection among the patients, their families, and healthcare professionals. Music therapy, mind-body practices like Yoga, Tai Chi, or any physical exercise that requires you to connect your mind, body, and soul should encourage your recovery process. 

A patient needs to be put in the best possible condition so that nature can act and healing can occur. And so, a holistic, inclusive, and positive atmosphere can greatly enhance your healing process. Find one that you’re most comfortable with based on the factors mentioned above.  

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