Therapy: The Great Adventure

When it comes to therapy, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Not all of us process information or emotions the same way. Some of us are visual learners, who respond to visual cues. Some of us are energized in group settings and by other people’s stories, but others are more comfortable processing one-on-one.

Most all of us grow tired of the classroom or meeting room environment, which is one big reason why most everyone — at some point in their therapeutic process — can benefit from therapy that takes place outdoors. After all, it is a scientifically-documented fact that getting out in nature improves practically everything … whether you’re in recovery or not. People who spend time in nature have more energy, more focus, sleep better, better immune systems and experience less depression and anxiety.

So what are you waiting for?

The advent of adventure therapy — the origins of which are traced largely back to Kurt Hahn’s Outward Bound program, circa 1941 — has made it possible to engage all the senses in exercises that build trust, confidence, self-awareness, self-reliance, perseverance, communication and resilience, skills that greatly benefit the recovery process. Adventure therapy teaches basic survival skills, coping strategies and interpersonal skills that can have a sustainable impact beyond traditional therapy, which is why it has long been used in addiction recovery treatment for teenagers and young adults.

What Is It?

The types of adventure therapy available differ from organization to organization, but at its core it’s about experiencing more of what you’re capable of... and what it feels like to have a blast while sober. It includes activities such as:

· Hiking/backpacking

· Camping

· Canoeing

· Ropes courses

· Trust falls

· Horseback riding

· Rope swinging

· Rock climbing/rappelling

· Yoga

Why Adventure Therapy?

It might sound like all fun and games, like a recess from the real work of therapy, but nothing could be further from the truth. Adventure therapy helps people in addiction and mental health recovery by giving them unique opportunities for personal and emotional growth. It helps you learn how to:

· Manage fear, frustration and anxiety in the moment

· Lean on others for help and accountability

· Experience play, the benefit of trial and error and learning from mistakes

· Learn it’s okay to be uncomfortable, to feel emotions

· Learn the value of consistency, routine and community

· Be fully present and aware of where they are physically, mentally and emotionally

Ultimately, adventure therapy improves the chances of long-term recovery success because it gives people in recovery a greater understanding of their strengths, weaknesses and a greater sense of personal responsibility — for decisions, relationships and actions going forward. It helps you experience in real-time the reality that every obstacle, every challenge is an opportunity to learn, to grow and to move forward.

“For me, the biggest misconception about recovery was that I had to go through life as a person who was labelled as sick, broken, special or fragile; who was an outcast from mainstream society, relegated to hanging out in church basements and speaking only in a coded language with other people like myself.” – Adam S. shares with Heroes in Recovery.

Recovery can seem like a full-time job, but it’s never too late to make it an adventure, to shift therapeutic gears, get out in nature and discover how much more you’re really capable of.

By Melissa Riddle Chalos

A writer for Skywood Recovery.

At Skywood Recovery Center, a residential treatment facility under the skies of Augusta, Michigan, we can help you rediscover your authentic self in recovery. What we do at Skywood is different for several reasons. First, we treat addiction and mental health at the same time in a highly integrated way, looking to restore a person’s physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being. Second, we focus on resolving trauma, underlying issues and deep-rooted emotional pain that often causes substance abuse in the first place. Lastly, we emphasize life skills that help each person build a foundation for sustainable, long-term recovery. After all, your recovery is yours, and we will treat you as a partner—not merely a “patient”—in developing your own recovery lifestyle. We will assist you in meeting your personal goals and give you the tools to succeed long-term.