Despite popular belief, addiction treatment centers offer a variety of therapy options besides talk therapy. Often, these therapy programs depend on the facility’s location and climate. Many wilderness rehab centers provide adventure therapy which promotes teamwork, high self-esteem, an active lifestyle, and mindfulness.
What Is Adventure Therapy?
Adventure therapy is an alternative therapy program that promotes whole-body health and mindfulness. In this program, clients explore other environments with their peers under the guidance of a counselor. For example, clients may go camping in the mountains or go kayaking down a nearby river. Generally, adventure therapy programs are multi-day adventures, and clients spend the night in the wilderness.
Developing Social Skills
Since adventure therapy programs occur over the course of many days, clients spend a lot of time with their peers. In the wilderness, many unforeseen circumstances and obstacles force clients to collaborate and trust one another. These situations that arise through wilderness therapy centers can help clients rebuild the social skills they lost during their addiction.
Additionally, it helps them regain the confidence they potentially lost during their substance abuse. Since there are many obstacles to overcome, clients have to trust themselves to make decisions. This helps them boost their self-esteem so they can have confidence in themselves during recovery.
Since the adventure therapy trips last many nights, counselors sometimes use the downtime to facilitate other types of therapy, such as group counseling. During meals or periods of relaxation, the counselor may lead the group in a group therapy session. This way, clients who worked together during the day can come together to further discuss their thoughts and feelings during periods of reflection.
Does It Work?
Alternate therapies exist because therapy is not a one-size-fits-all type of treatment. If traditional talk therapy programs don’t work for an individual, they may try their luck with alternate therapies, such as adventure therapy. Often, clients benefit from a combination of therapy programs to help them overcome their addictions.
For example, a client may find that individual counseling helps them understand themselves and work out personal issues while also participating in adventure therapy programs to help them connect with others and practice healthy lifestyle skills.
Finding the Best Adventure Therapy Programs
When you decide to enroll in an addiction rehab program, you should consider what types of therapy programs you’re interested in. For someone who enjoys the outdoors, or wants an opportunity to explore, facilities that offer adventure therapy activities may be the best choice.
If you’re ready to begin living a healthier, happier lifestyle, then reach out to a local wilderness rehab center today.
