Therapy can be hard work. It requires mental and emotional energy. If you do it enough, you may eventually find yourself in what some therapists call a “therapy rut.” While this could happen for many reasons, it could be a sign that you are ready to try a different approach.
When it comes to mental health and addiction treatment, most people are familiar with traditional “talk therapies” like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), or interpersonal therapy. These are proven and widely used approaches.
Another umbrella of therapy you might be less familiar with is experiential therapy, which focuses on engaging participants through action or creative expression that often goes beyond talking. One of the more exciting experiential therapies to consider is adventure therapy, which uses outdoor activities and challenges to promote healing and recovery.
If you or a loved one might benefit from stepping outside of a traditional therapy setting and trying something new, keep reading to learn about the benefits of adventure therapy in addiction recovery.
What is Adventure Therapy?
This study published in the National Library of Medicine defines adventure therapy as “programs or services that utilize outdoor activities and experiential learning exercises to help participants to deal with their psychological problems.” It commonly occurs in nature; think hiking, ropes and obstacle courses, kayaking, paddle-boarding, navigation challenges, camping, and more.
Adventure therapy is goal-oriented and conducted in settings that are trauma-informed by professionals trained in the activities and therapy. Experiential therapy is generally recognized as something that supports evidence-based addiction treatments.
Benefits of Adventure Therapy in Addiction Recovery
Does participating in outdoor activities really help? The short answer is yes. There are several published studies on this topic, including this one that found outdoor recreational activities significantly reduced PTSD symptoms among veterans or this study that showed outdoor therapy was effective for reducing anxiety among adolescents.
There are several tangible benefits of adventure therapy in addiction recovery, including:
- Improved emotional regulation – this can help with our stress response and use of coping mechanisms.
- Increased self-esteem and confidence – this can help overcome feelings of helplessness that are sometimes felt in addiction.
- Teamwork and improved communication skills – group-based activities often bring cooperation and social support, which are not always found in other parts of daily life but are important to successful recovery.
- Connection between mental and physical health – for some people, awakening this connection can help reduce cravings, and lead to improved fitness and better sleep habits.
- Motivation for recovery – doing difficult things and having an outlet that may not have previously been available can provide inspiration and motivation.
Complementing Adventure Therapy with Other Treatments
Most professionals recommend pairing adventure therapy with traditional psychotherapies. While adventure therapy will likely provide many benefits, as humans we still need to talk about our past traumas and experiences if we are going to process them. If you try adventure therapy, pay attention to the aspects that really speak to you. Is it being part of a group? Is it the ability to express yourself through your physical body and activities? Borrow the best parts of adventure therapy and incorporate them into your daily life when possible.
Addiction Treatment at Parkdale
Our team at Parkdale understands addiction because we have been there. We know the road to recovery can be long and lonely, and we are committed to helping others find their way. If you or a loved one are looking for support, we hope you will contact us today. We believe in a holistic approach that treats the whole person, and we know that every individual might find success through a variety of treatment and therapy options. For some, that path might include experiential treatment like adventure therapy; for others, it may not. No matter your path, you deserve a life free from addiction, and you can achieve it. Give us a call today to discuss how Parkdale can help.