While some people may consider these addiction treatment programs unique, it is only because not everyone has them available to offer. Those who have used these treatments have seen the benefits and enjoyed the outcomes. Offering new ways of looking at life, experiencing life, coping with stressors, understanding emotions, understanding any co-occurring disorders.
How Recreation Therapy is Effective in Addiction Treatment & Drug Rehab
Recreational Therapy is where a nationally certified and state licensed Recreation Therapist uses recreation activities of all kinds to bring about a positive change socially, emotionally, intellectually, physically, and/or spiritually. They use all kinds of activities to allow patients to discover and re-create themselves while practicing skills in a safe supportive environment. The Recreation Therapy process prepares patients in their recovery to initiate their leisure time with constructive activities, which may increase their self-efficacy, competence, and autonomy. It is a purposeful intervention designed to improve patient’s overall quality of life.
One of the biggest struggles recovering addicts say they have when they are out of treatment and boredom. Before recovery when they were bored or had nothing to do, they would get high or drunk, they would go to a bar, concerts, raves, or any other gathering where they could use or find their substance of choice. In treatment patients regard these places and associated people as triggers. Those who were addicted to ecstasy may no longer be able to go to rave concerts or even clubs. Alcoholics find it difficult to go to bars without craving a drink. With so many activities and locations unavailable to recovering addicts they may feel like they cannot leave their home without craving their substance. While triggers and stressors are everywhere, through treatment you will learn how to notice and deal with these without your substance but you will also learn new things about your surroundings and new activities you may have never thought of before.Through recreational therapy they can find a new activity or hobby that they can continue if they get bored instead of using again. It will also help them meet new friends and stay physically healthy. Some people even find peace and some sort of spirituality being out in nature.
Enhancing Addiction Treatment & Drug Rehab with Sensory Integration
Sensory Integration Therapy uses specially designed sensory rooms, or Snoezelen rooms, to offer a multiple of sensory stimulation for patients to make them more comfortable as well as more aware of their body and their feelings. When patients feel stressed or upset about something they are used to using their substance to cope. These rooms teach them different ways to handle those feelings. Surrounded by comfortable seating, cushions, a swing, 65 different colored LED lights, calming imagery such as beaches and mountains, and music or sounds. Many choose light colors such as blue, purple, or pink while listening to bird chirp or waves crashing on the beach and looking at images of a beach or forest allow patients to escape their minds and emotions and calm themselves. It allows for a peace to settle over them and they can use the time to meditate or reflect on things that put them at ease.
It is a safe place for them to express their feelings and become aware of their bodies and the control they have over both. All of these things help to make that patient feel more calm and able to explore their feelings of depression, anxiety, pain, and agitation. They have sensory stimulating things such as weighted blankets, pillows, and other comforting tools. It is an environment that nurtures the body and invites the person to engage in activities that help them to feel good and to focus on strengths, interests, and personal self-care. This room provides patients with additional options for recognizing and reducing their level of self-perceived distress and anxiety and teaches them how to self-regulate and feel more in control of their addiction and their own life. It allows people to become more self-aware and feel as though they have more control over their emotions, addiction, and everyday life.
Occupational Therapy in Addiction Treatment
Occupational Therapy is also a very effective treatment for those in recovery. The Occupational Therapy Program is designed to enhance and enrich Recovery Ways interdisciplinary and therapeutic approach by working with residential and IOP patients for transition and reintegration into the community upon completion of rehabilitation. Patients learn Occupational Engagement and Barriers, Roles and Identities, Vocational Challenges and Solutions, Habits, Patterns, and Routines, Volition/Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation, Remediation and/or Adaptation of tasks and skills. By focusing on the skills, daily routines, and roles that the individual values and helping integrate them into the individual’s self-efficacy and self-image, the therapist can help enhance the lifestyle and support the sobriety of the newly recovering substance abuser. The focus of therapy is to attain a level of functional performance in the client’s meaningful life roles that had deteriorated due to substance abuse.
Are you in need of addiction treatment?
If you or a loved one would benefit from recreation therapy, sensory integration, or other types of addiction treatment please reach out today. Recovery Ways, the premier Salt Lake City drug rehab, will help review your insurance and find the best addiction treatment options available. If you’re ready to make the change and live a life free from addiction, please call 1-888-986-7848.
