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At New Directions for Women, we strive to remain aware and up-to-date on trends and information regarding addiction treatment. One approach people are beginning to take notice of is the use of crystals for addiction. While we offer evidence-based addiction rehab approaches and do not necessarily provide this treatment method, we believe it is important to be informed.
Today, people search for ways to feel grounded, calm anxiety, and relieve stress. Alternative therapies such as yoga and mindfulness are becoming common daily practices to achieve this mental peace. The healing powers of crystals are also becoming mainstream. But are there crystals for sobriety?
While many addiction treatment centers offer holistic therapies, these approaches should not replace evidence-based treatment programs. Alternative therapies, including crystals, help people become spiritually connected with themselves. Crystals for addiction can have positive effects and encourage lasting recovery.
What Are Crystals?
Crystals are formed from natural minerals. They have repeated lattice structures that are perfectly consistent throughout the shape. Although crystals can be made of one mineral, many of them are made of combinations of minerals.
For example, a diamond is made purely of carbon. Quartz, however, is a foundation mineral in many healing stones and crystals for sobriety. Quartz is composed of silica and oxygen and is found in Tiger’s Eye, Jasper, and other crystals.
How Do Crystals Work?
The methodologies of crystal healing rely on the “vibrations” of the stones. For example, quartz, the cornerstone of crystal healing, generates electricity. In fact, if you strike two pieces together in a dark room, you will see sparks of light.
It’s obvious that crystals have uses that involve conducting energy. Crystal healing suggests they can conduct energy within the body to restore balance and awaken the spirit. Addiction negatively affects the mind, body, and spirit, and using crystals for addiction recovery offers many benefits.
Examples of Healing Crystals
The benefits of using crystals for improving your physical and mental health are becoming increasingly popular. Walking into a crystal shop can be overwhelming because there is a wide variety of crystals, and each has its own healing powers.
Some common crystals include:
- Clear Quartz
- Black Tourmaline
- Amethyst
- Citrine
- Aquamarine
- Rose Quartz
- Tiger’s Eye
- Moonstone
- Obsidian
Since there are so many crystals with different benefits, it is good to know what you need help working on and which crystals can help. Although there are crystals for addiction and crystals for sobriety, there are specific crystals for alcohol addiction and drug addiction.
The Healing Effects of Crystals for Addiction
According to science, crystals have no proven healing powers. But, the alternative medicine community believes otherwise. According to cosmic energy healer Eva Antoniadou, “ Crystals have potent healing powers, and when you touch them, healing is immediately activated.”
Holding crystals or placing them in specific spots on the body can promote physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Crystals work by activating the body’s chakras or energy field, which helps alleviate stress, improve concentration, and encourage new perspectives.
Crystals can provide a multitude of benefits to everyone in addiction recovery. Although each person experiences addiction differently, most people struggle with anxiety, depression, and other mental disorders that can benefit from healing crystals.
Crystals for Alcohol Addiction
According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 85.6 percent of people 18 and over have drunk alcohol in their lifetime. Furthermore, 14.5 million people ages 12 and above struggle with alcohol use disorder or alcohol addiction.
Many people drink to relieve stress and cope with their mental struggles. It can be difficult to stop drinking since alcohol is everywhere. However, some crystals can relieve stress and ease triggers and cravings.
Amethyst
In Greek, amethyst translates to “not drunk.” In fact, energy healers call it the go-to crystal for alcohol addiction. Amethyst helps those in alcohol addiction recovery come closer to their spirituality, brings wisdom, and blocks negativity. When you meditate with this crystal, it cleanses and recharges the mind, body, and spirit.
Celestite
Besides celestite being a beautiful crystal, it has a soothing aura that promotes relaxation and relieves stress. Addiction is the result of traumas and poor stress management skills. Like meditation, celestite has healing powers and encourages calm, clarity, and healthy communication skills during mental and physical chaos.
Crystals for Addiction to Cocaine
People who use cocaine can quickly become addicted to the energy and euphoric feelings it produces. As a result, they become bored with the monotonous routines in recovery and crave the rush from cocaine. Using specific crystals for addiction to cocaine can encourage calmness and honesty.
Selenite
Selenite is the crystallized form of the gypsum mineral. It is a potent crystal for cocaine addiction because it promotes mental calm. Using selenite crystals in addiction recovery helps control the racing thoughts from cravings and cleanse the body of negatives energy. It also promotes healthy relationships by bringing harmony in difficult times.
Aventurine
Aventurine or the “fairy stone” brings kind, well-meaning energy into your life. It also attracts new and successful opportunities. Recovering from cocaine addiction means rebuilding your life, and aventurine provides the energy to break unhealthy habits and promote lasting recovery.
Heroin Addiction: Crystals for Sobriety
Heroin is one of the most potent and addictive drugs. That is why treatment is so challenging for many people. Heroin produces a euphoria that makes all your problems melt away. People recovering from heroin addiction have to face their emotions and learn to love themselves.
Lepidolite
An opaque purple crystal, lepidolite is the perfect crystal for sobriety from heroin. It promotes hope in hopeless situations, imparts tranquility, and enhances your ability to accept who you are and your situation.
Lepidolite also helps stabilize emotions. This is crucial in early recovery when your feelings are all over the place. People struggling with co-occurring mental health disorders like PTSD can also benefit from lepidolite.
Rose Quartz
Rose quartz is the universal crystal of love. When used in treatment for heroin addiction, it helps you overcome trauma by helping you open your heart and communicate with people around you. This pink crystal soothes troubled minds and produces an overall calm. It is also said to encourage creativity which eases cravings and encourages lasting recovery.
Crystals May Be Believed to Help Treat All Substance Addictions
No matter what addiction you struggle with, healing crystals complement evidence-based therapies and treatments.
Ruby
The ruby is a red gem that is extremely energizing. It stimulates self-awareness and clarity on how your decisions negatively affect other people. It is a good crystal when beginning the recovery process as it facilitates detox on both physical and mental levels.
Amber
Amber is different because it’s not a real crystal. It is actually fossilized tree resin. However, it has the same healing benefits as a crystal. It promotes fulfillment, accomplishment, and satisfaction with yourself. People struggling with addiction or are in recovery typically have low self-esteem, and amber encourages loving yourself.
How Do People Use Crystals for Sobriety?
It is important to remember that using crystals for addiction treatment is NOT a standard practice inside addiction treatment centers and DOES NOT replace evidence-based treatment programs. Using crystals for addiction treatment is a holistic form of treatment to boost mental well-being.
However, many people believe in the power of crystals for alcohol addiction and other addictions and encourage you to also benefit from their use.
Using a Crystal for Addiction Recovery
While this approach to treatment and recovery is becoming more widespread, it is necessary to know that it is not a practice many rehab facilities use. Since this is the case, individuals who wish to use this approach may find that they must choose which crystals to use on their own. The following tips may help individuals who choose this method:
- Choose the crystal you are drawn to. This is often the most recommended way because it uses your own intuition. If a crystal catches your eye or calls to you, pick it up because it has a message or purpose for you.
- Select your crystal based on your struggles. Whether you’re struggling with the cravings of early recovery or anxiety after years in recovery, there is a crystal to help you cope.
- Choose a crystal according to what you want. For example, if you want to live life to its fullest, you might choose carnelian. Or maybe you will pick azurite to stimulate your
mind.
How are Crystals for Sobriety Used?
There are many ways to use crystals in your recovery journey. While there are some complicated ways to incorporate crystals into your life, let’s talk about the most common ways.
Wearing Crystals
Wearing your crystal or crystals is the easiest way to use them. Whether you wear them as jewelry or keep them in your pocket, it allows you to have their healing benefits everywhere you go. In times of stress, you can just hold the crystals in your hand to block negative emotions.
Meditating With Crystals
Crystals may promote calm and focus, which can help with meditation. Meditation has many benefits, especially in recovery. After cleansing the negative energy from your crystal (holding under warm running water), imagine your crystal is a vessel for excess energy. Imagine your energy flowing into the crystal when you seek peace and calm. And when you need clarity, imagine the energy traveling deep into your mind.
Crystal Infused Water
Water is a crucial component of recovery. Incorporating the benefits of crystals into your water spreads the energy throughout your body from the inside. There are specialty water bottles typically with rose quartz, but they can be expensive. Many crystals are toxic when consumed, so it is recommended to use them in bath water instead.
Decorate Your Space
You do not have to wear crystals to benefit from them. Decorating your space, whether at home or work, can influence the energy in that room. Some people use feng shui principles when placing their crystals and others experiment to find what feels best.
Crystals for Sobriety is Only One Part of Treatment
Like the struggles of addiction, crystals come in a variety of types. But, they have one thing in common – they promote healthy, positive energy to support recovery. While crystals are believed to be a great support tool, you need to attend an evidence-based treatment program like New Directions for Women.
We offer a variety of treatment programs to meet your addiction and personal needs. Our evidence-based programs include detox, inpatient and outpatient treatment programs, and sober living homes.
If you or someone you love is struggling with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, we can help you achieve lasting recovery.
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