8 Benefits of Recreational Therapy at Drug Rehab Centers
When you’re struggling with addiction, substance abuse can consume all your free time, and leave no room for healthy recreational activity. Fortunately, most drug rehab centers offer a unique type of therapy that teaches you how to use leisure activity to enhance your health, independence, and overall quality of life. This therapy, known as recreational therapy, is effective at helping you ease into a healthier lifestyle that can be maintained long after treatment.
In addition to promoting healthy living, recreational therapy improves your social interaction and problem-solving skills, and teaches you how to have fun without relying on drugs and substances.
Examples of therapeutic recreational activities offered at drug rehab centers include:
Gardening is an optional activity at some rehab centers.
- Hikes and nature walks
- Cooking
- Arts and crafts
- Picnics and barbecues
- Ping pong
- Sports
- Gardening
- Fitness classes
- Board games
- Movies
- Music and dancing
- Volunteering
If you or someone you care about is struggling with substance abuse and wants to learn more about recreational therapy, call our helpline at 888-646-0635Who Answers?. One of our drug abuse counselors will connect you with the resources you need to get help and treat your addiction.
Check out the following 8 benefits to undergoing recreational therapy in drug rehab.
1. Develop Healthy Friendships
Engaging in recreational activities allows you to foster new, healthy friendships with others who are also working on overcoming addiction. You’ll also be exposed to people who share your same interests, based on the leisure activities you choose. As time goes by, you’ll find yourself looking forward to recreational therapy just so you can spend time with your new friends.
2. Achieve Fitness Goals
Going through detox allows your body to heal itself as it purges all traces of harmful substances from your body. You can then start exercising regularly to become healthier, and to achieve certain fitness goals that may have been put off due to addiction. Research even shows that exercise can help prevent substance abuse.
3. Banish Thoughts of Boredom
If you frequently turned to substance abuse out of boredom, recreational therapy teaches you how to choose healthier activities when you’re feeling bored. Therapy can open your eyes to new interests and hobbies, and make you feel excited about trying new, healthy things.
4. Avoid Feelings of Loneliness
Recovering at a drug rehab center can make you feel disconnected and lonely, especially if you’re separated from friends and family, or haven’t made new connections in rehab. Recreational therapy can help you feel less lonely since it allows you to bond with other recovering addicts who feel exactly the same way as you.
5. Boost Your Confidence
Mastering new activities can boost your self-esteem and confidence — especially if you’re learning how to do something for the first time. Feeling confident about yourself is key to recovering from addiction, and gives you the empowerment you need to keep moving forward.
6. Manage Stress Without Substances
Recreational therapy teaches you how to manage anxiety and stress without relying on substances to make you feel better. Leisure activities that allow you to be physically active are usually most effective at helping you manage and combat stress, since exercise naturally helps reduce anxiety.
7. Improve Your Focus
Substance abuse has a negative effect on your focus, and increases the risk for problems at school or work. But recreational therapy requires you to focus in order to perform and accomplish certain tasks. This skill will help you later on when you’re rebuilding your life in the days, weeks, and months following treatment.
8. Feel More In Control
Recovering addicts often feel as if they’ve lost control of their lives after checking into drug rehab. But practicing one or more leisure activities can help you feel more in control of your life, especially when you’re accomplishing tasks successfully. Feeling more in control can also help you feel more confident and positive about overcoming addiction.
If you’re thinking about getting help for your addiction, call our helpline at 888-646-0635Who Answers? to speak with an experienced drug abuse counselor. We can answer any questions you have about rehab and treatment, and help you find drug rehab centers that offer recreational therapy. Our staff is devoted to providing you with the resources you need to achieve sobriety and improve your overall quality of life.
