An effective rehab program doesn’t take a one-size-fits-all approach, which is why different facilities offer a variety of treatment options. Animal therapy is becoming an increasingly popular choice. Equine therapy for addiction can be very beneficial as it helps people develop important coping skills that they can use for life.
How Equine Therapy for Addiction Develops Coping Skills
Many people dealing with stress turn to drugs and alcohol because they don’t know how else to cope with negative feelings or stress. In rehab, they’ll learn other, positive ways to cope. Equine therapy can help with that.
Horses are incredibly gentle, beautiful animals. When someone in a family therapy addiction recovery program takes part in equine therapy for addiction, he learns about a horse’s behaviors and upkeep. During therapy, he may learn how to ride the horse or how to care for it.
During rides, he’ll discover how to work in harmony with the horse and see how his behavior affects the horse. Gradually, he’ll develop a relationship with an animal that shows how much easier it is to forge a connection when they work together instead of one trying to control the other.
By caring for animals in this type of therapy, clients gain confidence as they develop skills. They’ll be focused on taking care of something other than themselves, showing them that they’re responsible and trustworthy. This also builds their self-confidence and gives them motivation to continue with recovery.
The peaceful interaction they experience in equine therapy keeps their mind focused on the task at hand instead of thinking about using or how badly they felt while using.
Skills to Last a Lifetime
The coping skills people learn in rehab can last a lifetime. Once you know that you can handle stress in ways other than abusing drugs and alcohol, you’ll come to rely on those more productive methods. The more you do them, the more they’ll become a habit.
Treatment That Works
Equine therapy for addiction is just one type of holistic treatment some rehabs offer. Other therapies include yoga, massage, hiking, acupuncture, or art therapy. These types of treatments are designed to help you focus your mind. You grow stronger mentally at the same time you gain strength physically and spiritually.
While bonding with animals and yourself provides important levels of healing, there are many other programs that can help individuals recover from an addiction using social methods. Some of these include group therapy or a family therapy program. Reach out to an addiction treatment center today to find out which therapy works best for you.