Hiking in nature is a very therapeutic activity that relieves stress and increases happiness. Also, it’s a great form of exercise. Addiction centers are beginning to offer more holistic treatment options for mental health therapy. Options can include art or music therapy, animal therapy, and hiking therapy for addiction recovery. Exercise causes the release of dopamine, which drug and alcohol abuse severely impacts and can cause painful withdrawals when they quit. Hiking therapy is very beneficial physically and mentally. Furthermore, it helps patients discover the power within them to make a positive change.
At Crestview Recovery, we support men and women 18 and over who are struggling with addiction to alcohol, opioids, or other harmful substances. We offer several holistic programs along with behavioral therapy for a well-rounded treatment experience. In cases of severe addiction, we do offer medication-assisted treatment to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings. To discover all of the benefits of hiking therapy at Crestview Recovery, call 866.262.0531 today to speak with our friendly staff.
Hiking Therapy in Portland, OR
Hiking therapy for addiction treatment is gaining in popularity as more and more people desire a holistic approach to treating addiction and other mental health disorders. It’s sometimes called wilderness or adventure therapy and involves a group of your peers hiking along various trails led by a trained therapist. At a scenic location, you will sit and talk and enjoy being out in nature.
Hiking therapy in Portland, OR, is very therapeutic mentally and physically. Hiking can help improve sleeping habits, ease joint and muscle pain, and give you a healthy dose of vitamin D from the sun.
At Crestview Recovery, we provide our patients with a well-rounded treatment experience that includes behavioral therapy, holistic therapy, and medical support. Portland offers many great hiking trails in close proximity to our facility to aid in the recovery process.
The Benefits of Hiking Therapy for Addiction
There are many psychological benefits of hiking therapy that can help patients through their recovery during treatment and long after they graduate from the program. In many cases, hiking becomes a new hobby, and patients go on day or weekend-long hiking trips exploring the great outdoors. There is even a potential source of income by becoming a social influencer sharing your hiking adventures and triumphs in addiction recovery.
Here are some additional benefits of hiking therapy for substance use:
- Hiking can lower tension and stress levels. In the heat of the moment, you can take a quick hike to calm down and focus your thinking.
- Hiking reduces depression and anxiety symptoms.
- Hiking increases blood flow and circulation to the brain, which improves memory retention and other cognitive functions.
- Exercise improves the immune system and can speed up the recovery process.
- Hiking can improve your self-esteem and give you the courage to try new things and reach the goals you set.
- Hiking gives you a chance to bond with your peers and create a strong support community that you can rely on after completing the program.
Hiking therapy for addiction recovery is very beneficial when combined with other holistic therapies, behavioral therapy, and medication to minimize severe withdrawal symptoms.
Try Our Hiking Therapy at Crestview Recovery for a Holistic Approach to Treating Addiction
At Crestview Recovery, we offer hiking therapy for substance use recovery for men and women who need help breaking their addiction and leading their best lives. We prefer a more holistic approach to treating addiction and showing patients the power within them to create real change. We offer a full range of therapy programs that include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Group and individual therapy
- Family therapy
- Hiking therapy
- Art/music therapy
- Nutritional therapy
For more information about hiking therapy at Crestview Recovery, call 866.262.0531 or send us a message through our contact form to discover all of the benefits of our addiction treatment facility.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
