Adventure Therapy Programs
Adventure and nature-based therapy has become a very popular method of treating a variety of mental health issues, including substance use disorders. With access to both evidence-based and holistic healing modalities, you can recover not just from an addiction but the root problems fueling your substance abuse.
What Is Adventure Therapy?
Adventure therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses challenging outdoor activities to help people overcome personal challenges and improve their mental health. Adventure therapy programs center on the idea that by facing and overcoming challenges in a safe and supportive environment, people can develop new skills and insights to apply to their everyday lives.
What many people do not realize is that substance abuse and mental health are closely linked. In fact, nearly half of all adults with a mental illness also have a substance use disorder. This is known as co-occurring disorders or dual diagnosis.
The relationship between substance abuse and mental health can be bi-directional, meaning that one can lead to the other, or they can exist together. For example, someone who is struggling with depression may start drinking or using drugs to cope with their symptoms.
Over time, their substance use can become a problem, leading to addiction. On the other hand, someone who is already addicted to drugs or alcohol may start to experience symptoms of depression as a result of their substance abuse.
There are a number of reasons why addiction and mental health often co-occur, including genetics, trauma, psychological side effects experienced as a result of addiction, or developing a substance use disorder as a result of self-medicating a mental health condition.
Substance abuse and mental health problems can have a significant impact on a person’s life. They can interfere with work, school, relationships, and overall well-being. If you are struggling with substance abuse or mental health problems, it is important to seek help.
Adventure therapy can be used to address a variety of mental health issues, from anxiety and depression to substance abuse and various other behavioral problems. This can include participating in a variety of activities, such as rock climbing, hiking, camping, whitewater rafting, and backpacking.
In addition to being a fun and engaging way of facing your challenges head-on, these activities are also designed to help you learn to set and achieve goals, problem-solve, communicate effectively and work cooperatively, manage your emotions, and build a sense of self-worth.
Adventure Therapy Groups
Our treatment program focuses on having our clients participate in adventure therapy groups, where they will participate in activities such as hiking, camping, rope courses, and nature walks as a team.
By working with a group of people who are on their own recovery journeys, you will be able to make meaningful connections and gain support as you learn to face your fears, build trust and teamwork, learn new problem-solving skills, and develop self-confidence.
Your adventure therapy group will be led by one of our trained facilitators, who will help you process your experiences and learn from them. The groups are typically small so that you have the opportunity to receive personalized and compassionate care.
How Can Adventure Therapy Help in Recovery?
Adventure therapy can be a great treatment tool for people who are struggling with addiction, as it can help them face their fears and challenges head-on.
Most importantly, when you take the time to explore and participate in these activities, you learn how to exist in the present and practice mindfulness. Taking a moment to stop, breathe, and appreciate the moment can make all the difference in your recovery journey.
Adventure therapy activities can help you gain and improve in a variety of areas, including:
- Self-esteem and confidence: Adventure therapy often involves challenging activities that require you to step outside of your comfort zone. This can help you develop a sense of accomplishment and self-efficacy, which can be important for recovery.
- Physical and mental wellness: When participating in new and exciting outdoor activities, you give yourself the chance to improve not only your physical health but your mental well-being as well.
- Coping skills: Adventure therapy can help you learn how to manage stress and difficult emotions in a healthy way. This can be helpful for preventing relapse, as substance use is often used as a way to cope with painful thoughts and feelings.
- Communication and teamwork skills: Adventure therapy often involves group activities that require you to communicate and work with others. This can help you to develop the skills you need to build healthy relationships and support networks in recovery.
- Connection with nature: Spending time in nature has been shown to have a number of benefits for mental and physical health, including reducing stress, improving mood, and increasing self-awareness. Adventure therapy can help you connect with nature and experience its healing power.
Get a Confidential Assessment From a Recovery Specialist
What To Expect in Adventure Therapy
At South Coast, we understand that each of our clients is unique and, as such, will require a treatment approach that is specified to their personal recovery needs. When you participate in our treatment program, you will not be met with a one-size-fits-all treatment approach.
You will be able to work with our dedicated treatment team to create a recovery plan that specifically caters to your needs. This, of course, will entail a wide variety of adventure therapy activities designed to help you build essential recovery skills.
During your adventure therapy outings, our trained adventure therapy facilitators will incorporate challenging exercises to promote the use of problem-solving skills, teamwork, inner motivation, and all of the recovery skills you need to overcome your addiction and maintain long-lasting sobriety.
Adventure Therapy at South Coast Behavioral Health
At South Coast Behavioral Health, we understand that the addiction recovery process can be a difficult and scary time for many people, which is why we strive to make sure our clients have the chance to make their rehabilitation feel less like a chore and more like a chance to re-discover their true selves.
With this goal in mind, adventure and nature therapy is a key component of our approach to the addiction recovery process. Our experiential groups help make sure that your recovery experience is not just a means to an end but an exciting and meaningful life step.
Our locations throughout California offer you the chance to seek adventure amongst the many sunny beaches, sprawling valleys, and beautiful mountains this state has to offer. Recovering at our program gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in these rich natural landscapes and all of the activities they have to offer.
Recover from Addiction in Adventure-Based Therapy
At South Coast, we believe that everyone deserves the chance to treat their whole health when recovering from addiction. Our treatment program offers the extensive support and mind-body care you need to achieve long-term sobriety.
While this makes up a core element of our recovery approach, our facilities offer much more than just adventure therapy activities. When you decide to seek treatment with us, you will have access to a full continuum of care, from detox and residential treatment to outpatient and aftercare services designed to help you maintain your sobriety.
If you are interested in learning more about our adventure therapy activities or are ready to begin your recovery journey, you can call or fill out one of our secure contact forms now. We will help you get the answers you need and get you on the path to sobriety as soon as today!
Get A Confidential Assessment From A Recovery Specialist
Adventure Therapy in Orange County, CA
If you are struggling with a mental health or substance use disorder, Adventure Therapy may be an effective treatment option for you. It is important to note that Adventure Therapy requires active participation in order for it to be successful. If you think Adventure Therapy might be right for you, please reach out to us today!
We provide Adventure Therapy for men within our medical detox and residential treatment centers in Irvine, CA.
We offer Adventure Therapy for women at our medical detox and residential treatment centers in Huntington Beach, CA.
We provide Adventure Therapy for men within our residential inpatient facility in Costa Mesa, CA.
We provide Adventure Therapy during our PHP and IOP programs in Newport Beach, CA.
