Recreation therapy for addiction treatment

According to a recent Gallup poll 46% of households within the U.S. reported substance abuse within their families.  At Recreational Therapy Solutions we support people with substance use disorders on their road to recovery.

Recreation therapy when integrated into a treatment plan that includes individual and group therapy, can be very effective.  A 2012 study reported that those who completed a rehab program and were moved to housing that offered recreational activities were more likely to maintain their sobriety than those who did not engage in such recreation.   

Statistics have shown that physical activity has many benefits for reducing depression, anxiety, and stress. Exercise releases endorphins that promote happiness and a natural improved mood.  Finding new coping methods to process thoughts, feelings, and emotions are essential to the recovery process and reduce chances of relapse.  

People in recovery are used to spending their time using drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism. That’s why it’s so important to find new activities in recovery.  Recreational therapy uses a variety of different activities to address the emotions and symptoms that may assist a person’s recovery, including:

• Learning to trust others by participating in team-building and trust-building activities.
• Developing leadership, team-building skills, and support systems.
• Building confidence, resilience, and self-esteem.
• Encouraging patients to face their fears, heal emotionally, and walk through challenges without using substances.
• Helping patients build self-awareness and problem-solving skills.
• Motivating patients to live healthier, more independent, and fulfilling lives.
• Reducing a person’s sense of isolation, anxiety, depression, and stress.
• Encouraging patients to take care of their physical and mental health.
• Improving motor functioning and cognitive abilities.

Recreation therapy for drug and alcohol addiction consists of many different activities. These include, but are not limited to:

• Interaction with animals (ex. Equine therapy, volunteering at an animal shelter)
• Arts and crafts
• Outdoor activities (hiking, rock climbing, fishing)
• Music therapy
• Meditation
• Community outings and events
• Sports
• Games
• Team building exercises
• Yoga
• Creative writing (poetry, journaling)
• Dance, movement, or drama therapy