Treating an addiction involves a number of approaches and strategies. The best approach is a comprehensive one. This means including clinical and psychological care as well as recreational therapy. Find out how recreation can fit into the recovery timeline as well as the many advantages that this kind of therapy can bring.
Learn more about recreational therapy by calling us today at 866.262.0531.
Defining Recreational Therapy
Clients don’t participate in recreational therapy a clinical setting with a counselor. Instead, they head to a new, fun environment and achieve recovery goals differently. Recreational activities can include ordinary activities like biking and swimming, but they can also be more adventurous and include rock climbing or canoeing.
Recreational therapy is a great way to help people struggling with addiction. It can provide them with an outlet for their emotions and help them to connect with other people in a positive way. Recreational therapy can also be a great way for people to learn new skills and to have fun.
Recreational therapy can also be a great way for individuals to learn new skills. People can learn how to play a new sport or how to paint. Consequently, this can help people to feel more confident and capable.
Finally, recreational therapy can be a lot of fun. People can participate in activities that they enjoy and that make them happy. This can help them to forget about their problems for a while and just enjoy themselves.
When individuals want to overcome addiction, many effective treatment methods can still feel like a chore. Recreation therapy is the exact opposite. It’s enjoyable, pushes physical limits and feels like an escape from the daily routine of treatment and therapy. Nonetheless, it still helps patients accomplish a number of their health and sobriety goals.
Recreation is a Form of Stress Relief
One of the biggest factors leading to both addiction and relapse is stress. Many individuals who struggle with addiction don’t have a healthy way to deal with their stress on a daily basis. One of the benefits of recreation therapy is that it can help patients relieve stress constructively.
Stress can take many forms. Sometimes, it’s a major issue such as a broken marriage or serious financial problems. Other times, it may be as simple as being tired, hungry or stuck in traffic.
Whatever the source of stress, it can feel the same way to the brain and the body. When people experience too much stress, they need an outlet. Rather than turning to addictive substances, outdoor activities can be ideal. After an hour or two of hiking, many people feel relaxed and invigorated.
Recreational Activities Can be Social Activities
Many addiction therapy services include a social component. That’s because having social connections is key to better health and wellness. One of the natural advantages of recreational activities is that they’re often also social. For people in early recovery, engaging in recreational activities can provide distraction from cravings and a way to connect with other people in a healthy way.
Addiction recovery can be a difficult process. It’s important to have positive social interactions to help you stay on track. Participating in recreational activities with others can provide that support. Group activities also give you the opportunity to make new friends who share your interests.
While a solo hike is possible, recreational therapies are more likely to be group activities. Rock climbing, as one example, is a team effort. So is canoeing in a two-person canoe or mountain biking as a group.
Recreation Improves Physical Health and Wellness
Many patients also want to improve their overall health during recovery. That means their brains and internal organs, but can also include physical fitness. Addiction can atrophy muscles or lead to drastic weight gain or loss, so recovery is a chance to create a healthier state of being.
Recreational therapy is the chance to boost circulation and release endorphins in a healthy way. It can strengthen the heart and tone muscles. Additionally, it can boost lung capacity and speed up metabolism. In short, recreational activities are a sure-fire way to boost health in countless ways.
Recreational Therapy in Oregon
At Crestview Recovery, our addiction treatment programs are not one-dimensional. They are comprehensive, including a wide range of therapy services. Recreational therapies are a big part of the curriculum, and they include activities like hiking, biking, and rock climbing.
Recreational therapies work best in conjunction with others therapy services. At Crestview Recovery, some of these therapies include the following:
- Holistic therapy like acupuncture and massage
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- 12-Step programs
- Behavioral therapies
- Life skills training
Recreational therapy is an effective way to combat a drug or alcohol addiction. At Crestview Recovery in Portland, Oregon, you can begin making changes for a better, healthier life. Call 866.262.0531 to start your journey to recovery today.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
