Heroin addiction is a serious problem in the United States, with more than 14,000 people dying from a heroin overdose in 2018.[1] Thankfully, there are many options when it comes to addiction treatment.
While many people find success through a traditional addiction treatment program, others find difficulty with the clinical setting of drug rehab. In other words, while one type of addiction treatment program may work for one person, another individual may require something a little different. This is where adventure-based drug rehab comes in.
Adventure-based drug rehab combines the traditional treatment modalities of addiction rehab with adventure therapy to create a fun and productive approach to addiction recovery. When applied to match your individual needs, adventure-based rehab can help you overcome heroin addiction.
Types of Adventure Therapy for Heroin Addiction Recovery
Adventure therapy combines evidence-based therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with challenging physical activities. This helps individuals practice the healthy coping mechanisms they learn during the physical activities they engage in. There are many types of activities that clients may participate in during adventure therapy, allowing every individual to find a form of therapy that they enjoy.
The types of adventure therapy used to treat drug addiction include:
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Skiing and snowboarding
- Rock climbing
- Kayaking and canoeing
In addition to building problem-solving abilities, adventure therapy helps clients boost their self-confidence and interpersonal relationship skills. This promotes recovery from heroin addiction by providing clients with the skills they need to prevent future relapses.
What Makes Adventure-Based Drug Rehab Different?
During traditional addiction treatment, clients attend therapy and group counseling sessions in a clinical setting. For example, individuals who attend inpatient drug rehab usually live and attend treatment sessions within a medical facility. While this is beneficial for some individuals, others may have a hard time remaining focused and engaged in their recovery.
Everyone has a different learning style. While one person may learn better through reading and verbal explanation, another may benefit from hands-on learning techniques. This translates over to addiction recovery, as some people need a more hands-on approach to traditional substance abuse treatment techniques. Thankfully, adventure-based drug rehab is the perfect solution for an individual who requires hands-on learning.
Adventure therapies provide clients with the ability to view sobriety in a different light. While many individuals in their early recovery have a difficult time understanding how to have fun without substances, people who participate in adventure therapy will engage in fun sober activities from day one.
How Can Adventure Therapy Treat Heroin Addiction?
While adventure-based therapy isn’t as common as traditional addiction treatment, this form of substance abuse recovery is very effective in treating heroin addiction. From providing individuals with real-life examples of positive coping mechanisms to boosting self-confidence and social skills, adventure-based therapy provides clients with a well-rounded foundation of sobriety.
Conquering Negative Mindsets
Adventure therapy is an excellent tool for conquering negative mindsets. This is extremely important in addiction recovery as many individuals struggle with remaining optimistic in difficult situations.
During adventure therapy, clients will engage in a challenging physical activity with their team. When someone begins to experience negative patterns of thought, clients work together to stay positive. This teaches clients how to regroup when they begin to think negatively, instead of acting out upon their negative thoughts.
Strengthening the Body
Individuals who have struggled with heroin addiction often deal with an array of adverse health effects. This can take a toll on a person’s body. By engaging in fun but challenging physical activities such as hiking or kayaking, clients build their physical strength while they work on healing the mental and emotional effects of addiction. Strengthening the body can help recovering heroin addicts feel better and build their overall confidence.
Providing Natural Remedies for Anxiety and Depression
Adventure therapy includes physical activities that require clients to remain active on a daily basis. Exercise is the most effective natural remedy for mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, which commonly co-occur with addiction.
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, “Studies show that exercise is very effective at reducing fatigue, improving alertness and concentration, and at enhancing overall cognitive function.”[2]
Building Social Skills and Self-Esteem
When someone is recovering from heroin addiction, it is common for them to struggle with poor social skills and low self-esteem. Thankfully, adventure therapy is a great way for individuals to naturally build their social skills and improve their self-confidence. This is because clients have to step out of their comfort zone to engage in difficult physical activities that they may have never tried before.
When they accomplish these activities, they have learned how to work with others as a team and feel a sense of self-accomplishment. Overall, good self-esteem allows recovering addicts to believe that they are capable of long-term sobriety and recovery.
Get Connected With an Adventure-Based Drug Rehab in New Jersey Today
If you or a loved one have attended traditional drug and alcohol rehab to no avail, it may be time to consider adventure-based drug rehab. Rather than spending most of your time in a medical facility, adventure therapy allows you to learn vital recovery skills while engaging in fun activities. For more information on adventure-based drug rehab, contact Moving Mountains Recovery today!
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