4 Reiki Healing Techniques to Support Addiction Recovery

There are many rehab clinics all over the world that incorporate alternative and complementary therapies into their treatment programs to support clients and patients in their recovery from addiction and substance abuse.

One of the more widely used supporting therapies is Reiki. Due to the nature of Reiki healing, recovering addicts respond very well to the benefits that Reiki healing holds. As Reiki practitioners, we can support our clients in many ways to support them in recovering from addiction and/or substance abuse.

It should, however, be taken into consideration that the first step towards recovery is for an addict to acknowledge their addiction and to claim full responsibility for their journey towards recovery – the intention should be unequivocal, with a clearly indicated commitment to recovery. Without this commitment and the intention, recovery is very nearly impossible.

The recovery process through Reiki is aimed at transformation…

Addiction is associated with intense feelings of dishonesty, pain, and despair whereas recovery is associated with happiness, honesty, and independence. With Reiki healing we can support the recovery process and have a positive effect on those truly looking for self-improvement by promoting and supporting strong feelings of health, balance, and wellbeing. Through the meditative and introspective nature of a Reiki healing treatment, clients often experience an energy shift and no longer want to use or abuse any illicit substances. They may even experience a complete change in lifestyle due to the positive change in their energy levels as a result of Reiki healing.

Reiki healing further supports clients to manage the detoxification process and related withdrawal symptoms. A Reiki treatment is usually calming, nurturing and safe, creating a space within which recovering clients may experience relief from the physical pain that usually accompanies withdrawal. Within this space of peace and calm, an individual’s body and mind may also reach a point of safety and calmness, and they are likely to let go of some of the anger, panic, and trauma they felt during withdrawal and detoxification.

A common withdrawal symptom during recovery is anxiety. On top of the stress that comes with early recovery, these feelings can be overwhelming. Reiki healing is extremely supportive to help clients to relax and reduce the anxiety and stress they may experience during the recovery process.

Finally, drug and/or alcohol addiction can wreak havoc on the body, especially with long-term abuse. This may result in many adverse health conditions, particularly cardiovascular and respiratory problems. Some of the benefits of Reiki in the recovery process include lowering the heart rate, lowering blood pressure, and improving respiration. A healthier body and a greater sense of wellbeing may be the first step in physically recovering from addiction.

Within the context of Reiki, we support the recovery process on many levels of the health and wellbeing of body, mind, and spirit. There are a few traditional supporting Reiki healing techniques that could be incorporated into any Reiki healing treatment, and more specifically into a Reiki healing treatment aimed at supporting those recovering from addiction and substance abuse:

1. Nentatsu-ho

This is a traditional method used for sending a thought, affirmation or wish to a recipient using Reiki to assist – it is a technique for getting a silent message across to the recipient’s subconscious mind with Reiki vibration transmitted through your hands. There is a wide range of use for it, such as breaking unhealthy habits, or getting across Usui Sensei’s Five Reiki Precepts to people in distress. The technique should, however, not be confused with the concept of healing with mind power – remember, we are using Reiki healing.

To do Nentatsu-ho, simply place one or both hands on the recipient’s forehead where the hair starts to grow. Transmit the message with intent, a pure mind, and with confidence.

2. Seiheki Chiryo-ho

This is a version of Nentatsu-ho and a way of releasing thought patterns or unhealthy habits by applying Reiki together with the “harmony” energy of the SHK symbol. Seiheki Chiryo-ho involves the following process:

• Place one hand on the forehead and the other on the back of the head.
• Transmit the pure message through the hand on the forehead for a few minutes. The message or affirmation could be to improve the personality, heal addictions, correct unhealthy habits, follow new behavior patterns, or any other appropriate message or affirmation.
• Remove your hand on the forehead but keep the other hand on the back of the head for 5 minutes or more and give Reiki. While giving Reiki, no “message” should be transmitted – just allow the Reiki healing to flow as it should.

You can use this technique for yourself or others. When you do it for others, make sure the “message” or affirmation used is what the person wants. Discuss it with the client beforehand and ask them to visualise how they would be (feelings, emotions, behaviours, etc.) should this “message” or affirmation manifest. It is also better and more effective to give Seiheki Chiryo-ho many times as short treatments rather than as one long treatment.

3. Heso Chiryo-ho (Navel Technique)

The navel is considered the center of your body and the healing spot for every disease. To do this technique, put your middle finger into your navel and feel the pulse for a while. Feel the pulsation as it gradually resonates more and more with Reiki and Universal energy. Hold this position until you feel the flow of energy being relaxed and balanced. An alternate way would be to raise your hand a few centimeters away from the body and focus Reiki energy into the navel. This is often more comfortable, particularly if you are using this technique on someone else.

4. Tanden Chiryo-ho (Depoisoning Technique)

This technique is an effective way of depoisoning the body from any toxic substances such as medicine, food-poisoning, food additives, drugs, and alcohol. The process involves the following:

• Place one hand on the Tanden (the point located about 5cm below the navel) and the other hand on your upper forehead at the edge of where your hair grows. Feel the energy from the hand on your forehead and quietly ask the Universe “please get rid of the poison from this person’s body”. Leave your hands in this position for a few minutes.
• Move the hand on the forehead and put it on the hand on the Tanden. With both hands on the Tanden, let the Reiki flow through Tanden for about 20-30 minutes.
• If necessary, perform this method repeatedly until the effect can be seen or felt.
• Once you have successfully depoisoned the body, you can continue with any additional Reiki treatment or close off the healing session as usual.

Regular Reiki treatments are known to be helpful and supportive for those in addiction recovery, particularly if it forms part of a holistic approach to overcome such addictions. Daily and regular Reiki sessions may make the addiction withdrawal symptoms feel less severe and make the physical, mental, and emotional process of recovery more tolerable. Early recovery can be stressful, and the relaxation techniques of Reiki can help people better deal with the stresses of early recovery, instead of becoming overwhelmed and falling into relapse. On a physical level, Reiki can contribute positively to repair some of the physical and mental damage of long-term substance abuse and help to get the individual back to a life of healthy living. Mentally and emotionally those in recovery may experience anger and resentment and Reiki treatments could help in releasing some of their negative emotions and support them feeling more comfortable in their skin which is helpful for those dealing with self-esteem issues.

Through Reiki, and with the commitment to recovery from your client, you can lovingly support their journey towards health and wellbeing – of body, mind, and spirit.

Article by Thea van der Merwe, Ph.D.

Free eBook download: We’ve created an eBook with our best articles on this topic, and offer it for free to all our newsletter subscribers.

Thea van der Merwe, Ph. D. is a nationally and internationally trained holistic energy, certified and experienced Master Reiki Practitioner, qualified in Usui Reiki, Reijukido, Karuna® Reiki, Karuna Ki Reiki, Crystal Reiki, and Gendai Reiki. She obtained the title of Shihan (full master/teacher), the highest level in Gendai Reiki Ho. Besides her greatest passion which is Reiki, Thea is also a spiritual shaman, healer, and teacher, offering readings as a way of accessing spiritual guidance. Her journey of personal discovery, growth, and healing started back in 2005 when she was personally in need of healing and searching for something more than what conventional medicine and therapy could provide. Thea is currently nationally and internationally registered with the South African Reiki Masters Association and The Reiki Healing Association respectively – both professional associations for the local and global Reiki communities, working to promote the wide-reaching practice and healing effects of Reiki throughout the world and where the primary philosophy is that together, we can do so much more. You can get into contact with Thea van der Merwe at viterra.co.za, which is her website, and at facebook.com/viterrahealing on Facebook.