Experiential Activities for Addiction Treatment
When it comes to types of addiction treatment, the best approach often transcends traditional therapy methods and medication, plunging deeper into a person’s mind, emotions, and spirit. As people, we are a composite of our experiences, and sometimes the pathway to healing requires a deeper, more immersive experience.
Experiential activities provide an innovative therapeutic approach, and offer an effective way to address addiction and mood disorders. These activities involve engaging in experiences that can lead to emotional and psychological growth and change. Acqua Recovery’s unique blend of experiential activities and therapies offers a transformative treatment avenue for those seeking freedom from substance abuse.
What Are Experiential Activities?
Experiential activity include expressive tools and therapeutic activities, such as yoga, guided imagery, and various other active experiences, to help our clients identify and address hidden or subconscious issues. Experiential activities at Acqua move beyond talk-based therapy, encouraging clients to examine their past traumas and issues through active participation and personal involvement.
Furthermore, experiential activities can involve therapies such as nutrition therapy, music therapy, equine therapy, adventure therapy, or even simple nature walks. These activities prompt self-expression and self-exploration, enabling individuals to confront feelings, emotions, and experiences often buried deep within themselves.
Benefits of Experiential Activity for Addiction
Encourages Active Participation: Experiential activities encourage our clients to take an active, empowered role in their healing process. By engaging in real-life, tangible experiences, individuals can see, feel, and understand the impact of their actions and reactions, fostering a deeper connection to their therapeutic journey.
Promotes Emotional Insight: Our experiential techniques help uncover hidden or suppressed emotions. Through this process, our clients can understand how certain emotions are tied to their addictive behaviors, providing valuable insights necessary for healing and change.
Enhances Communication Skills: Activities also promote open and honest communication, essential skills for those in recovery. The activities performed during experiential sessions provide a safe and supportive environment where individuals can express themselves freely, learning how to convey their emotions and thoughts more effectively.
Supports Personal Growth and Self-Esteem: By achieving small victories during these activities, individuals can rebuild their self-esteem, damaged by substance abuse. Personal growth and self-discovery are by-products of experiential therapy for addiction, instilling a newfound sense of self-worth and confidence in our clients.
Experiential Activities
While evidence-based addiction therapy services provide a solid recovery foundation, our experiential and holistic programming is just as vital to healing. Thus, the goal of Experiential Activity at Acqua Recovery is to help residents learn and practice healthy interpersonal skills and activities they can enjoy in their new sober life through experiential outings along the Wasatch Back and in the Salt Lake Valley. We reintegrate into the community through team activities like sober volleyball and softball leagues and engage in daily physical activity including, yoga and fit-to-recover.
Experiential activities teach people how to manage emotions, be mindful, and practice better life skills in a controlled environment. We let residents experience new ways to enjoy sobriety and re-integrate into a community. Further, there is a huge connection between physical health and mental health. When either of these is lacking, it can impair mood, increase depression and anxiety, and put someone at risk for relapse.
Holistic Activities for Physical Health
When you feel good physically, you have more energy to make smarter decisions. Also, you are better equipped to address issues coming along with substance abuse. Being active and involved in team activities during and after treatment is an opportunity to connect with a sober environment. As well as a community supporting healthy lifestyles. This in turn increases your quality of life and well-being.Â
Experiential Activities at Acqua Recovery
At Acqua Recovery, we believe in the power of experiential activities and integrate it into our comprehensive levels of care. We offer various experiential practices that cater to individual interests and needs, promoting holistic healing and recovery.
Sitting in a sweat lodge is meant to provide a safe space for healing and experiential therapy. The sweat lodge at Acqua Recovery creates a peaceful atmosphere while allowing those participating to experience the cleansing power of heat. During this process, individuals can come together to share their stories, feelings, and struggles related to their addictions.
This connection to the natural world provides extra comfort during times of struggle or hardship. Additionally, it creates an environment that can help facilitate deeper insight into one’s thoughts and feelings about themselves and their addictions.
Mountain biking is an excellent way to get out into nature, get physical activity, and allow individuals to explore their thoughts and feelings. In addition to providing a sense of accomplishment, mountain biking can also provide a sense of connection with nature and others within the group.
At Acqua Recovery, we offer mountain biking as an off-campus activity. There are trails we enjoy exploring for off-site activities with clients and alumni. This allows individuals to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature while developing emotional resilience through physical exercise. Group members are encouraged to be open and honest about their feelings as they explore themselves while riding.
Hiking at Acqua Recovery offers a unique opportunity for those looking to explore natural scenery and connect with nature while in recovery. Clients can enjoy the scenic views of our 30-foot waterfall while exploring their responses to the environment. This experiential therapies give participants a new perspective on their recovery journey and encourages them to reflect on how they can use nature as a resource during difficult times.
Acqua’s half-mile walking trails provide participants with an opportunity to challenge themselves mentally and physically while exploring their surroundings. Participants can gain insight into personal growth by exploring feelings of self-reliance, strength, and confidence.
Through the use of fly fishing participants can gain perspective on their recovery journey and cultivate insight into their own goals. Fly fishing also gives the opportunity to learn basic techniques for casting, tying knots, and proper hook setting. Fly fishing at Acqua Recovery is also an independent activity, meaning our clients have time to fish on our grounds if they choose to but there are no guides for this activity.
Fly fishing at our ponds is a great opportunity for participants to disconnect from technology and everyday stressors while having meaningful conversations with peers.
Yoga has long been recognized as a powerful experiential therapy tool for managing stress and improving overall health. Acqua Recovery specializes in utilizing the practice to help patients overcome addiction. Through the incorporation of breathing techniques, meditation, physical poses, and mindfulness practices, our yoga program promotes healing from within.
The program helps patients to gain insight into how their thought patterns affect their emotions and behaviors. By engaging in mindful movement, they can recognize any physical or mental tension that may be lurking beneath the surface of their addiction and work towards releasing it.
Acqua Recovery offers several experiential therapy options that involve outdoor sports activities such as kayaking, paddleboarding, and surfing. All activities are closely supervised by experienced professionals, allowing the patient to gain valuable insight into their behavior while also partaking in enjoyable and socially interactive activities with others.
Through participating in these outdoor sports, clients can learn to develop stronger problem-solving abilities and gain greater control over their emotions. By engaging in recreational activities that also allow them to build connections with like-minded people, clients at Acqua Recovery have the opportunity to make positive changes in their lives while also having fun.
Choosing Experiential Activity for Your Recovery Journey
Selecting the right therapy for addiction treatment is a personal decision. However, the inclusive nature of experiential activities for addiction treatment makes it a viable option for most individuals battling addiction and mood disorders. If you or a loved one are considering addiction treatment, Acqua Recovery is here to provide the professional help needed.
Our therapeutic approach is personalized to each individual, and we recognize that recovery is not a one-size-fits-all process. With experiential activity, we strive to meet clients where they are in their journey and provide a unique healing environment that respects and encourages their personal growth and change.
Your Journey Begins at Acqua Recovery
If you’re ready to embark on the journey to recovery and are considering experiential activity as part of your treatment plan, Acqua Recovery is here to guide you every step of the way. Our group of experts and talented professionals is devoted to giving the highest level of attention and care and we personalize your treatment to meet your unique needs and situation.
Take the first step today and explore the power and potential of experiential activities. By combining the strength of traditional therapy methods with innovative experiential techniques, we can create an individualized treatment plan that fosters healing, growth, and long-lasting recovery.
At Acqua Recovery, we believe that the road to recovery is a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. Experiential activities are a powerful tool on this journey, offering hope, healing, and a new perspective on life. Embrace the opportunity to discover your full potential and experience the transformative power of experiential therapy. Your journey towards a healthier, more fulfilling life starts here.
Take the first step to transforming your life.
Dr. Pickrell is a board-certified psychiatrist with interests in addiction and psychiatry. He strives to identify the underlying cause of substance use. His understanding of addiction as the overlapping symptoms of biopsychosocial development is the foundation to his care model. He is committed to helping both patients and families understand that addiction is a treatable medical illness. He has been involved in the treatment of addiction for the last 17 years and completed his residency training at the University of Utah.
