complementary medicine

Life is experience. Substance dependence overtakes a person’s ability to make her own decisions to experience life
and life is no longer actively participated in. Therefore
in overcoming addiction
it is vital to learn to re-experience life. This lesson helps a treatment center resident reintegrate into the world after therapy is through. Experiential therapy is this bridge to leaving a life of substance dependency and commencing a life of health
both physical and mental. Experiential therapy is a necessary component in the steps towards a complete therapy. In addition to counseling and more traditional therapies
experiential is the door to the world – it forces the patient to test herself
to get up when she falls
to learn that giving up is not an option. This is a vital lesson to learn when overcoming addiction
as when problems arise after therapy
the former patient will remember that there are other means of dealing with problems than turning back to addiction.

Experiential therapy includes many various forms
and can be divided into two main categories: outdoor experiential therapy and indoor experiential therapy. Both aim at physical and mental challenges in order to succeed. Equine therapy
which falls within the category of outdoor experiential therapy
is worth reviewing on its own due to its uniqueness and successful results. Research supports the use of experiential therapy
as motivation increases and social integration is easier through the experience of such therapy.

The great outdoors is well known for its healing abilities
and exercise in itself releases the same good-feeling endorphins as a high does. There we have it: the high that is healthy. Outdoor experiential therapy utilizes nature to help residents work through their problems and free themselves from dependency through the physical challenges offered in nature. Activities can include winter sports like snowshoeing
and summer sports like hiking. More radical activities
like a heli-experience
are also possible. The heli-experience takes people to literally previously unknown heights. In opening new worlds
these experiences reconnect residences to their world
which is so important to eventually helping them reconnect with the people who live in this world. While outdoor activities are beneficial for the social aspect of interacting with other residents
their main achievement is to make the resident introspect and put a perspective on the resident’s own life in the context of the towering natural world.

Indoor experiential therapy can be based on an indoor ropes and challenge course. While also containing the aspect of physical challenge
indoor experiential therapy is a greater internal challenge. The resident must mentally prepare herself for the challenges that come at such heights. Also
trust is an invaluable lesson learned in indoor therapy. Partners rely on each other to succeed in these activities
thus learning to communicate effectively and learning to trust another. This can be an especially difficult aspect of healing from addiction
as for so many
trust is not a part of a life of addiction. Learning to rebuild personal self-confidence and trust in others is vital for a successful recovery from substance dependence. Reintegrating into society after therapy is one of the most difficult aspects of recovery
so having a treatment program that rebuilds the elements of trust and confidence
needed for a successful life in our society
is especially beneficial.

Equine therapy
a certain highlight of the outdoor experiential therapy
combines aspects used both in outdoor and indoor therapy. From the aspect of the outdoors
equine therapy offers the chance to be with
in and beyond nature
with a living being that sees us only for who we are. Horses are extremely intelligent creatures
having a special history with the human race. So vital in the development of the modern world
horses were the first vehicles for transporting messengers and mail efficiently
as the Pony Express reminds us
and were man’s trusted guides in exploration and on battlefields. And
while a horse does not judge mankind
it certainly can read a character and will cleverly use a human’s personality to its advantage. Trust is an essential element of equine therapy
and it is a relationship with a creature that will not lie about its feelings. When a genuine friendship is formed between horse and man
it is a lifelong bond. Equine therapy combines the power of nature and a physical challenge with the need to build a trusting relationship with a fellow living creature and increase self-confidence. In this manner
equine therapy is especially helpful for residents of treatment centers
as it combines all elements so beneficial to recovery in one activity.

Experiential therapy teaches lessons of confidence in the self as well as in others
and teaches facing challenges and overcoming them. Motivation is of prime importance in overcoming an addiction
and what better place to find motivation than where we naturally seek it: in situations that encourage us to aim higher than we imagine is possible. Through the motivation that appears in the physical activities
treatment center residents learn to carry it over to their own lives
and find the necessary motivation to deal with personal issues. Simultaneously building confidence and trust in themselves and others only strengthens the desire for motivation. The added health benefits of partaking in physical exercise show themselves both on the bodies and minds of patients. Getting the body into shape helps stabilize the mind
and helps lead a generally healthier life. There is never an easy cure to addiction
and many paths and steps must be followed to guide to a better life. The step of experiential therapy is one of the most rewarding steps in treatment
as the treatment resident is aware first-hand of its results. This personal feeling of achievement in overcoming challenges makes great headway in the recovery process from addiction.