George Patriki
Optimal Health Group, Australia
Title: Addressing addiction and mental health from an integrative holistic framework: Combining bio-psycho-social-spiritual dynamics into substance abuse & mental health treatment
Biography
Biography: George Patriki
Abstract
When helping people with substance abuse and mental health issues, it is very important to tackle each of the 4 dynamics of human experience to maximize the outcomes. Apart from brain injury from trauma and substance abuse, it is essential for people with dual diagnosis problems to undertake comprehensive biochemical assessment from an integrative doctor to determine deficiencies in key nutrients. These imbalances can significantly affect their moods and how they function, It is important to raise people’s standards from the bare minimum to optimal health to go way beyond tolerable recovery. These medical interventions work alongside psycho-social treatment through counseling and life skills training, as well as helping to ground people on the strong foundations of principles and values to drive their life, rather than their emotions. This is one of the strengths of ACT intervention. Competent psychological therapy to address the underlying issues behind additions is also a necessary part of therapy.