Recovery doesn’t have to be boring. With the wilderness therapy program offered here at Red Oak Recovery, recovery is possible, making addiction treatment engaging and enjoyable for clients.
The goal of wilderness therapy is to allow our clients to connect with the environment in a positive way. This promotes physical and mental health growth and creates a more fun road to recovery. If a young adult in your life is interested in participating in wilderness therapy in North Carolina, give us a call at 828.382.9699.
How Does the Wilderness Therapy Program Work?
Wilderness therapy is an adventurous approach to rehabilitation and recovery. Also known as eco-therapy, being in nature is a big part of treatment, creating a healthy and nurturing relationship with oneself throughout recovery.
Our wilderness therapy uses physical challenges to overcome emotional ones.
This type of therapy began in the early 1960s and is known as outdoor behavioral healthcare. Wilderness therapy is a form of adventure therapy, incorporating techniques to encourage shifts in behavior.
The use of wilderness therapy correlates physical challenges to emotional challenges. Immersing in the environment helps free clients from other challenges. This includes challenges they face at home or in their social circle.
Outdoor activities bring out resilience and resourcefulness. Cooperative attitudes also bring about an air of positivity. This often lifts a metaphorical weight off the client’s shoulders.
What Does Wilderness Therapy Include?
Wilderness therapy is a form of addiction therapy. It utilizes physical outdoor activities to promote behavioral changes in our clients. Here at Red Oak Recovery, the outdoor activities we offer include:
- Canoeing
- Backpacking
- Rock climbing
- Whitewater rafting
- Day hiking
- Solo camping
- Ziplining
- Rope courses
Engaging with the environment is a great way to improve physical and mental health. Creating positive changes in mental health is crucial for the treatment of addiction.
Wilderness Therapy as a Form of Addiction Therapy
Addressing addiction alone is an ineffective approach to recovery. Clients must focus on the underlying mental health issues and emotional drivers behind their addictive behavior, allowing for a shift in thinking. This shift is essential for lasting recovery. Oftentimes, addiction begins as a way to mask difficult-to-deal-with emotions or a history of trauma.
With eco-therapy, clients will learn new physical skills and techniques, which help them overcome physical challenges. Learning to overcome physical challenges spurs changes in their mental health. These changes help clients begin recovering from their substance use disorder. Without these changes, addiction treatment is not as effective.
Benefits of a Wilderness Therapy Program
There are a couple of benefits to using a wilderness therapy program to treat addiction. This form of therapy promotes positive physical and mental health in clients.
It gives them physical challenges to overcome, leading to behavioral changes.
Being outdoors is great for an individual’s physical health. Hiking, rope courses, and rock climbing all encourage a healthy physique for clients. Feeling good physically is an integral part of addiction therapy.
Wilderness therapy also promotes positive mental health. Beautiful landscapes act as a guide for clients to gain self-discovery and awareness.
Changing the emotional and mental relationship one has with themselves is a big step in the right direction.
Eco-therapy also promotes behavioral changes. The skills learned from overcoming physical challenges create a shift. Clients can begin to change their negative or self-defeating behaviors and thoughts.
Get Ready for an Adventure with Red Oak Recovery
The road to recovery is a bumpy one. With Red Oak Recovery and adventure therapy, you get a fun and healthy environment that encourages positive change. Wilderness therapy in Asheville, North Carolina, can help you or a young man in your life.
When you’re ready for an adventure, call us at828.382.9699 today for more information.
