PDFNew Approaches in Wilderness Rehab
Recovery from substance abuse and dependence is a process that involves mind, body and spirit. The best drug treatment programs utilize a wide range of approaches to promote healing in all of these areas.
Phoenix Outdoor utilizes an ideal blend of wilderness experiences and base camp programming to give teens the best of traditional substance abuse treatment and wilderness therapy.
In the wilderness, teens learn primitive skills, such as building traps and making fire with a bow drill, and participate in journaling exercises and other therapeutic activities. These activities build self-esteem and motivation to change and help teens understand the impact drugs and alcohol have had on their lives.
At base camp, teens participate in therapeutic processing groups, substance abuse education and 12-Step meetings, as well as alternative interventions such as therapeutic drumming and yoga.
Therapeutic Drumming
Drumming has been used by many cultures throughout history to improve health and well-being. Studies show that therapeutic drumming can boost the immune system, improve focus and concentration, and produce feelings of calmness and well-being.
Each week, the students at Phoenix Outdoor use 15 African drums, or “djembes,” to drum out rhythms under the direction of a professional drummer. Teens work together to create rhythms, each expressing themselves with their drum while listening to each other’s drums to create a sound bigger than any student alone could create.
The following are a few of the therapeutic benefits of drumming:
- Stress Reduction
- A Sense of Purpose and Belonging
- Mindfulness
- Self-Expression
Yoga
When combined with traditional substance abuse treatments, the ancient practice of yoga is a useful tool in addiction recovery. Yoga helps to heal the damage caused by addiction by creating a peaceful union among the body, mind and spirit.
As part of its holistic approach to substance abuse treatment, Phoenix Outdoor offers yoga classes led by a seasoned instructor. In addition to helping teens stay calm and centered, yoga is a healthy way to deal with drug cravings and triggers to use. It is also a tool students can use to resist those urges when they return home.
The following are a few of the therapeutic benefits of yoga:
- Regaining Physical Health
- Self-Awareness and Self-Respect
- Centeredness
- Managing Drug Cravings
Therapeutic drumming and yoga are just two of the ways Phoenix Outdoor helps teens return to a healthier lifestyle. All of these therapeutic elements combine to create a powerful experience for teens struggling with substance abuse.
