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Drug Addiction Rehab Using Water-based and Land-based Outing Therapies that Eradicate Drug Addiction

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Engaging in outdoor activities can do wonders in eradicating drug addiction. Spending time outdoors gives you the opportunity to take part in activities that can be used as a form of recreational therapy. They help induce your brain to be focused on the ‘here and now’. And, such mindfulness can be achieved when you indulge in outdoor recreation such as the following:

 

Water-based Therapies

 

Fishing

 

Fishing is an activity that requires much focus and attention thus making it ideal for those who yearn to have a mental break from their cravings for illicit drugs. In fact, fishing is known to provide benefits that are similar to what a person obtains from meditation. When an angler becomes too focused with the thought of catching big fish, his brain will no longer have room for negative thoughts.

 

Psychologists confirm that fishing can help reduce post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms by as much as 30 percent. If you’re into drug addiction to be able to cope with a past traumatic event, it is high time you tried angling.

 

Swimming

 

The therapeutic benefits of swimming are brought about by its ability to allow the body to release the feel-good hormones. The release of these endorphins can lead to an improved sense of well-being and happiness.

 

A study conducted in the United Kingdom showed that engaging in swimming on a regular basis can help release tension, increase life satisfaction and improve self-worth. If you have been battling addiction for quite some time, you know that these things are too difficult to achieve with drugs. But if you go swimming, you will find that you do not need drugs to be able to feel good about life.

 

Whitewater Rafting

 

Whitewater rafting is one of those activities included in the so-called “wilderness therapy”. This is the form of therapy which started way back in the 1960s. It makes use of whitewater rafting and other activities that can be done outdoors to help addicts gain self-discovery.

 

Engaging in whitewater rafting has been correlated to all the tensions, pressure and challenges that people encounter in their family and social life. The best thing about whitewater rafting is that it is done in the wilderness where negative influences are not present. This activity improves an addict’s resilience and resourcefulness while also improving his adaptability to life’s uncertainties.

 

Land-based Therapies

 

Biking

 

A lot of addicts have turned to the meditative power of biking to be able to achieve sobriety. If you are the kind of person who loves to spend more time indoors, it is high time you changed your daily routine. Biking should give you a healthy excuse to go out and exercise.

 

Some bikers find themselves succumbing to a rhythm that allows them to unconsciously let out their frustrations without doing themselves any harm. For example, once they’re on their bike, they start slowly to warm themselves up. But as soon as negative thoughts, frustrations or anger creep in their thoughts, they would pedal as fast as they can. The force and energy they release while doing this gives them much relief as they were able to overcome negative emotions without giving in to their cravings for drugs.

 

Outdoor Yoga

 

Addiction works to take an individual out of his body. It prevents anyone from connecting with their inner selves. This is when outdoor yoga will prove to be beneficial. With outdoor Yoga, you will be reintroduced into the natural physical sensations in your body that you have been ignoring ever since you started using illicit drugs.

 

Yoga trains your brain to listen to what your body is saying. It gives you time to evaluate your senses and realize what really matters most in life. And, when you’re doing it outdoors, in the midst of nature you will get the bonus of relaxation which helps you get rid of anxiety, stress and depression. As a result, you find yourself feeling more grounded and more in control of your cravings.

 

Hiking

 

Have you ever heard about a hike-induced brain boost? This activity boosts your brain in many ways as suggested by Taylor Recovery Drug Recovery. It helps reduce the symptoms associated with anxiety, stress and depression. A study conducted by experts from the Stanford University showed that spending time with nature such as through hiking has a significant calming effect on the brain.

 

Moreover, another research also showed that those who spend more time outdoors and less time using electronic gadgets were found to have better problem-solving skills. So, put more hours into hiking and you’ll realize you don’t need illicit drugs to jumpstart your brain’s problem-solving abilities.

 

These outdoor activities allow you to open yourself up to nature and enjoy its healing effects. The more you spend time indulging in these activities, the more chances you will have at regaining your passions and reclaiming the life that you once lost to drugs.

 

 

 

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9 Ways Music and Arts Help Patients Heal from Addiction and Mental Health Issues

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Many people suffer from substance abuse, mental health issues, aggression, and anxiety. There are several treatments to overcome these issues, one of which is music and art therapy. Some patients who are not comfortable with taking medication and attending 12-step support meetings find comfort in music and art therapy. But what benefits can get from this kind of treatment? Before we discuss that, let’s define what this therapy is all about first.

What is Music and Art Therapy?

 

Music and art therapy helps patients improve their communication skills in the form of music and art. Speaking is not the only form of communication; it also involves movements, painting, dancing, singing, writing, and more. The goal of this type of therapy is to help patients express themselves and promote wellness through arts and music. It is about giving patients an outlet to heal completely from their struggles in life.

 

Here are 9 ways music and art can help heal you from addiction and mental health issues:

 

  1. A Way To Release Anger and Frustrations

 

One reason why people become violent and aggressive is that they have no idea how to properly release the anger and frustration inside them. By undergoing art and music therapy, they find a new way of releasing these bad feelings. Instead of lashing out at other people or sometimes even hurting themselves, they can turn that powerful emotion into something beautiful.

 

  1. Focus Attention From Something Else

 

People suffering from drug abuse can take their mind off of the drugs and focus their attention on doing something else. It helps them keep busy by being productive and eventually forget the need to take drugs. It also puts their mind at ease, giving them the peace of mind they need.

 

  1. Improves Mental Health and Mood

 

We often turn to music when we feel sad, angry, frustrated, and stressed out. This is also what music therapy does to patients undergoing music therapy. It helps clear their mind and improve their mood. This is why music plays an important role in a recovery treatment program.

 

  1. Bring Forth Hidden or Forgotten Memories

 

Sometimes people suffer from mental health issues because of hidden feelings or memories. They feel that something is wrong though they just can’t put their finger on it. One way to evoke these memories and feelings is by relaxing their mind through listening to music or even by drawing or painting. Some even use dancing as an outlet to clear their heads.

 

  1. Self-Expression

 

Not all people have the ability to express themselves freely. Some try to hide their true feelings inside because they fear being judged or to avoid embarrassment. When all these thoughts and feelings are bottled up, it may cause them to turn to drugs, be violent or anxious all the time. By writing songs, singing, and drawing, they can express themselves without any fear.

 

  1. Aligns Mind and Body

 

Sometimes we all just need to pause for a while and reflect. By undergoing music and art therapy, it can help give inner peace to patients. It helps align the mind and body, helping them come up with better decisions in life and avoid hurting themselves.

 

  1. Discover New Skills

 

It helps patients uncover new skills. Discovering new talents can give patients a sense of importance and accomplishment. They can even share their newfound skills with others. Finding people that share the same interests also gives them assurance that they can turn to them in times of need.

 

  1. Helps Cope With Trauma

 

Focusing the patient’s attention on music or any form of art shifts their mind from thinking of the trauma or any bad experiences they have. It gives them something beautiful to think about apart from the trauma they experienced in the past.

 

  1. Keeps Them Calm and Relaxed

 

Sometimes these patients just need to calm their nerves and relax. They need to take their mind off any negative emotions they have. By listening to music or playing instruments, they can forget about and let go of any negative emotions inside them.

 

Music and art therapy is a different approach from the usual treatments of drug abuse and mental health issues. It has been proven to successfully heal patients and even give them a new purpose for living. However, this may not work for all patients and it is still best to seek professional treatment.

 

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Six Behavioral Therapies Used in Drug Addiction Treatment

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The path to drug addiction usually starts with curiosity or peer pressure but unfortunately results in the downward spiral to darkness, despair, and hopelessness not only to drug addicts themselves but among those who surrounds them. No matter the type of illicit or addictive substance a person falls heavily dependent on, seeking professional treatment is a must and should be a priority to minimize the damages that are known to be caused by extended use of drugs, including marijuana, meth, cocaine, and many more.

 

Besides the obvious physical signs and symptoms, addiction has devastating effects on brain function. The habitual use of drugs directly affects the regions of the brain that are linked to learning, memory, motivation, control, and reward. A drug user’s behavior is influenced heavily by these brain centers; hence it becomes all the more crucial to obtain professional behavioral therapies to increase chances of recovery while reducing chances of relapse.

 

The Importance of Behavioral Therapies in Effective Recovery of Drug Addicts

 

Behavioral therapies delivers a host of benefits for the recovering drug addict. They help encourage people to communicate their thoughts and feelings, provide opportunities to maintain sobriety, change destructive or negative behaviors as a result of drug dependence, and further improve their life skills to cope with stressful situations and external cues that may trigger intense craving for drugs which may pave the way to yet another vicious cycle of abuse.

 

Addiction recovery isn’t just about keeping an addict away from easy access to drugs. In essence, drug rehabilitation programs are about making positive mental and behavioral changes that allow dependents to return to a normal way of life. By modifying the ways by which a drug dependent thinks and behaves, the more likely they are to practice positive learned behaviors in everything that they do. Learning how to deal with stress, potential triggers, and the high-risk situations, it becomes easier for recovering users to keep focused on their path to sobriety. Here are proven behavioral therapies that professional counsellors include in their respective rehabilitation programs.

 

  1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

 

This treatment is commonly used in managing various types of substance abuse. Individuals who undergo cognitive behavioral therapy are taught how to identify and modify their maladaptive behaviors. Through various coping skills, drug abusers master various coping skills, help deal with high-risk situations, and prevent relapse for the long haul.

 

It’s an effective approach to drug addiction as it can be implemented with other behavioral therapies and traditional rehabilitation treatments, too. Cognitive behavioral therapy is flexible in that it is also proven helpful in managing co-occurring mental and physical health conditions.

 

  1. Contingency Management

 

Contingency Management is an excellent behavioral therapy solution for drug addicts suffering from habitual and impulsive use of illicit substances, including alcohol, opioids, stimulants, and marijuana. Its main goal is to reinforce an individual to remain sober. Using this approach, a drug addict is given material rewards as a form of encouragement and praise for showcasing positive behaviors. One of the main selling points of Contingency Management is that it reduces the likelihood of patients from suffering a relapse or dropping out of their rehabilitation program.

 

  1. Motivational Interviewing

 

This behavioral treatment approach aims to resolve the feeling of ambivalence among recovering addicts, so they can appreciate their own efforts of staying away from habitual drug use and making positive changes to live a normal, drug-free life. As Motivational Interviewing is facilitated by a therapist, individuals are a part of their own recovery plan. Changes can be made every session to ensure that goals are realistic, measurable, and attainable. This gives them a renewed sense of confidence and responsibility, which further encourages them to adhere to their rehabilitation program.

 

  1. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

 

The goal of Dialectal Bahavioral Therapy is to help recovering addicts to focus on treating serious personality disorders, such as borderline personality disorder that resulted from their compulsive and habitual drug use. Therapists teach addicts ways to reduce or eliminate their cravings, provide ways to avoid opportunities to relapse, and help in giving up habits that encourage drug abuse in the long run.

 

  1. Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy

 

This behavioral therapy provides patients the chance to understand and process their own thoughts which in turn helps them change bad habits and develop desirable ones instead. During Rational Emotive Behavior sessions, recovering addicts are taught how to establish and develop a more rational way of thinking, optimism, and help them gain healthier emotions.

 

  1. Matrix Model

 

The Matrix Model is a behavioral therapy that utilizes various therapeutic techniques to help individuals quit their stimulant addiction. The main focus of this treatment method is to reward positive behaviors and teach patients to have more confidence, self-esteem, respective, and dignity within themselves.

 

There is no one formula to effective and speedy recovery from drug addiction. To find out which one will work best, it is recommended to seek the expertise of drug rehabilitation professionals.