This issue of the Journal of Addictions Nursing addresses some uses of complementary and integrative therapies (CIT) in addiction treatment. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) defines "complementary" therapies as nonmainstream modalities along with conventional medicine; uses the term "alternative" as meaning a nonmainstream modality in place of conventional medicine; and defines "integrative" as "[horizontal ellipsis]a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices and products that are not presently considered to be a part of conventional medicine" (NCCAM, 2013). NCCAM conducted a survey in 2007, which indicated that almost 40% of adults (4 in 10 adults)-almost half the population-used some type of complementary therapy (NCCAM, 2013; Ventola, 2010). The Bravewell Collaborative report on "How Medicine is practiced in the United States" defines integrative health:
Integrative medicine is an approach to care that puts the patient at the center and addresses the full range of physical, emotional, mental, social, spiritual, and environmental influences that affect a person's health. Employing a personalized strategy that considers the patient's unique conditions, needs and circumstances, it uses the most appropriate interventions from an array of scientific disciplines to heal illness and disease and help people regain and maintain optimum health (Horrigan, Lewis, Abrams, & Pechura, 2012, p. 6).
Nursing is uniquely positioned to approach health care based on the individual's wants, desires, and requirements rather than the recipe-driven viewpoint often seen in conventional health care. It behooves healthcare professionals to, at the least, become familiar with these therapies. Over 12 years ago, the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine urged healthcare providers to become more knowledgeable about CIT and to open communications with patients about the use of CIT (White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2002). To become familiar with CIT, the healthcare professional can turn to over 21 peer-reviewed journals (in English; Gaylord, Mann, & Curtis, 2004). In Research Trends, Halevi (2013) indicates 358 scientific journals worldwide that are classified as CIT journals. In reviewing the Cochrane Collaboration, over 897 studies on various aspects of CIT are reported (University of Maryland CAM Field, n.d.).
As in the general population, people with substance use disorders are using CIT. It is natural that this group would expect their treatment providers to offer CIT. Indeed, there is a body of literature developing on the use of CIT as substance use disorder treatment interventions. Many of these interventions aid with the coping of stress and anxiety, low self-efficacy, and negative symptoms, which are known to permeate substance use disorders. Yoga, mindfulness, music, and art therapies can all be useful interventions with substance use disorders and for relapse prevention (Edwards, 2012).
In this special issue of the Journal of Addictions Nursing, six articles report on the use of CIT in substance use disorder treatment interventions.
1. "The Use of Art and Music Therapy in Substance Abuse Treatment Programs" is a descriptive national study of 229 substance treatment programs. The author describes the influence of art and music therapy with two populations-women and adolescents. The article also discusses the use of Motivational Enhancement Therapy with art therapy and contingency management with music therapy. A brief description of the long history of art and music therapy in the context of substance treatment is given.
2. Substance misuse and abuse is widespread among college campuses across this country. In "Yoga as an Alternative Intervention for Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle among College Students," the author reviews the usual and customary treatments currently offered to college students and investigates the use of yoga as a viable alternative. Yoga, an ancient practice that is also a popular activity on college campuses, has shown benefits to improve the quality of health. The article ties together the mindfulness aspect of yoga with the physical practice as a modality, which may decrease stress and anxiety, both of which have a strong influence on substance disorders.
3. "The Effects of Music Therapy on Avoidance in Patients on a Detoxification Unit: A Three Group Randomized Effectiveness Study" illustrates how music therapy is sometimes used as an intervention in drug and alcohol treatment programs. This study incorporates the use of the self-efficacy theory in avoidance of drug and alcohol use in a randomized study.
4. In the Continuing Education article for this issue of the journal, the authors of the "NADA Protocol: Integrative Acupuncture in Addictions" describe the process and practice of using auricular acupuncture for substance use disorders. A brief description of the history of the practice and the legal ramifications of using this modality in the different states is provided. The authors also discuss the outcomes achieved when using this integrative method.
5. Persons who have used drugs and/or alcohol frequently experience sleep disturbances. "Lighting the Darkness: Can Phototherapy Enhance Contingency Management Based Chemical Dependency Treatment?" explains that phototherapy has been successfully used in treating certain chronobiological conditions. In this article, the author proposes that light therapy might have promising outcomes as a nonpharmacological treatment, when used in conjunction with other treatments for substance use disorders.
6. "The Impact of a Sleep Hygiene Interventions on Residents of a Private Residential Facility for Individuals with Co-occurring Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders: Results of a Pilot Study" is descriptive pilot study that endeavors to evaluate the use of sleep hygiene in a group of dually diagnosed patients in an addiction and mental health treatment facility. A combination of discussion (of sleep information/education and sleep hygiene techniques), along with progressive relaxation, and sleep medication, if prescribed, was used.
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