Adventure Therapy for Addiction Treatment

At Avenues Recovery, top addiction treatment centers, we offer adventure therapy for treatment of substance use disorder, in addition to traditional therapy. This dynamic, experiential approach has proven to be highly effective in treating substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions.

Read on to explore the evidence-based outcomes of using adventure therapy for addicts, the substance use disorder treatment providers of adventure therapy, and how adventure therapy for addiction recovery differs from traditional therapy.

What is Adventure Therapy?

Adventure Therapy, also known as wilderness therapy, is a form of experiential therapy that combines nature, community, and challenging sports and activities to assist with the therapeutic process. The goal of adventure therapy is to enhance an individual’s physical, social, spiritual, and psychological well-being by leveraging the healing power of the wilderness through evidence-based therapies, recreational activities, and wilderness expeditions. Adventure-based therapy is mainly used for teenagers experiencing behavioral issues, addiction, or various mental health challenges.

How Does Adventure Therapy in Addiction Treatment Work?

Some adventure rehab programs are designed to train the participants to master the sport, while other programs enjoy a one-time experience. Trained mental health professionals are on hand to support and aid the therapeutic process throughout the activities. At the end of each activity, there is usually a group discussion. Sometimes the individual in adventure rehab meets one-on-one with the therapists to discuss the events of the day, what they’ve learned, and how they can apply their skills in their lives.

Adventure rehab includes different exciting and physically challenging activities, including:

Surfing
Rock-climbing
Biking
Camping
Skiing

By integrating these diverse activities into the therapeutic process, adventure therapy not only helps individuals improve their mental health but also teaches valuable life skills such as teamwork, perseverance, and emotional regulation.

Three Types of Adventure Therapy Programs

There are generally three different forms of Adventure Therapy for addiction.. They utilize different methods to achieve the same goal of using nature and wilderness to aid the therapeutic process. Although they differ slightly, their names are used interchangeably.

Wilderness Rehab Centers

Wilderness alcohol and drug rehab involves a group of participants who usually remain the same throughout the course. They spend their days in remote locations engaging in challenging activities. By the end of the wilderness rehab programs, the group has fostered meaningful relationships with one another.

Adventure-based therapy

In this model, most participants are usually enrolled in an outpatient treatment program or attending some form of group therapy at the same time. Individuals join various activities close to home. These activities usually take place in nature although they may also be indoor activities.

Long-term residential camping

The participants live in outdoor temporary accommodations like tents or mobile training units, and master one skill over a very long period of time. As an example, they could learn surfing and other water sports over the course of a year.

Adventure Therapy Programs Vs. One-on-One Therapy

An adventure therapy session is very different from your regular meeting with a therapist. It is recommended to attend one-on-one sessions in conjunction with adventure therapy. Nevertheless, Adventure-based therapy has a lot of qualities that regular therapy does not necessarily have, such as:

Action Focused: Unlike traditional therapy, which is typically passive, adventure therapy involves active participation in nature, allowing clients to express themselves more openly.
Accurate Assessments: Observing clients in action provides therapists with better insights into their struggles, helping them address challenges more effectively.
A Change of Scenery: Being removed from a typical therapy setting helps teens overcome negative associations with therapy and become more open to change.
Improved Client-Therapist Relationship: Engaging in challenging activities together helps break down barriers, fostering a stronger connection between clients and therapists.
Increased Confidence in Capabilities: Adventure therapy helps clients build confidence by showing them they can handle stress and overcome challenges in healthy ways.
Based on Success: Instead of focusing on dysfunction, adventure therapy highlights strengths, achievements, and personal growth during activities.
Small Groups: Small groups create a sense of camaraderie and community, where participants support each other and build meaningful relationships.

Benefits and Outcomes of Adventure Therapy for Substance Use Disorder Treatment

One of the evidence-based outcomes of using adventure therapy for addicts is that most activities take place outdoors. The fresh air and physical activity stimulate the hormones and produce endorphins while reducing the level of cortisol - the chemical that causes stress and anxiety. Spending time in nature also has a relaxing, reflective effect, providing the opportunity to bond with nature and access a sense of inner peace. In addition to the nature aspect, adventure therapy programs offer other advantages, including:

Self-Confidence - The different sports that teenagers engage in through adventure therapy programs can aid in reversing the negative effects of mental health challenges by improving grit, building resiliency, and developing self-efficiency.
Teamwork - The teens are often forced to collaborate with each other in order to complete tasks or for self-preservation, improve communication skills, self-confidence, and trust. It also allows adolescents to explore personal boundaries, while giving them a sense of empowerment when mentoring their peers.
Coping Strategies - The idea of wilderness therapy is that the participants are placed in a similar position to the pressures of a family and social structure, but in a relaxed, non-judgmental space, away from their usual negative influences. Here they can explore and discover different tools and coping techniques to deal with their negative feelings.
Better Quality of Life - Wilderness therapy is not used to treat or cure any mental or emotional issue. Rather, it can be used to assist in many areas of the standard treatment protocol as it aids in providing many important life skills.

Wilderness Therapy Programs for Addiction Treatment

Wilderness therapy programs for addiction treatment are widely used at drug rehab centers to provide a ‘break’ from therapy. The participants enjoy nature and master new skills in a therapeutic environment. These activities are designed to reinforce the skills and behaviors learned at the rehab.

People who struggle with drug addiction may feel powerless against their addiction, blaming different causes for their struggles. Nature teaches us that although we cannot control life’s circumstances, we have to take responsibility for our actions and our reactions to everything that happens to us. In outdoor drug treatment programs, individuals learn that they must take control of what they can change.

For example, if it suddenly gets very cold during a hike, people cannot make the weather warmer. The group is faced with a decision, either they can take no action and blame the weather for making them miserable, or they can gather wood to make a fire, proving to themselves that they are in control of their reactions.

Adventure Therapy for Addiction at Avenues Recovery

At Avenues Recovery, we partner with Jake King from Thrive Outdoors to provide bi-weekly Adventure Therapy activities for our clients. Thrive Outdoors have core principles that keep people alive in the wilderness:

Mindset - A positive mindset is crucial to physical survival, but equally important for getting through life emotionally.
Shelter - Shelter refers to the tangible shelter that protects us from the elements, but also on an emotional level, to the toxic and negative environments and people that we have to remove ourselves from.
Fire - Fire is vital to our survival in nature as it provides warmth, food, and other benefits, but it’s also necessary for life - we have to find fire and passion in life and a reason to get up every day.
Food and Water - Food and water are what sustains us, and as with everything we put into our bodies, we have to determine: Will this harm or be beneficial? Do I need this or do I want this?

Our Success in Adventure Therapy for Treatment of Substance Use Disorder

Thrive Outdoors, adventure therapy for the treatment of substance use disorder, is incredibly effective because it empowers individuals to step beyond their comfort zones. By engaging in challenging outdoor activities, participants learn to push past their limits and expand their boundaries. This growth in nature translates to daily life, where they gain the strength to stay sober, avoid toxic environments, and confront the core issues of their addiction with newfound resilience and confidence.

If you’re drawn to the idea of spending time in nature while taking on empowering challenges, Adventure Therapy at Avenues Recovery could be the perfect fit for you. Our dedicated team is ready to answer any questions and guide you through the resources we offer. Reach out to Avenues Recovery today to start your journey toward a healthier, addiction-free life.