Many approaches to treating addiction focus on a talk therapy. These evidence-based options play an important role in the healing process but there is more ground to cover. Long-term recovery depends on overall wellness. Wilderness therapy offers a number of benefits that support overall wellness.

Change in Setting

Setting is a major factor in substance abuse. In your normal environment, you get easy access to your drug of choice. Odds are good that your friends or colleagues also use and encourage you to use. In a very real way, your regular haunts become triggers for substance abuse.

Going out into the wilderness removes all of that. Your friends, colleagues, and easy access to drugs or alcohol go away. Instead, you’re in setting that …show more content…
That means that any therapy must address more than just the physical side of things. It must also address the psychological and spiritual. That calls for a more holistic approach.

Wilderness therapy excels in this respect. Spending time in nature helps you see yourself in a larger context. The beauty and sheer size of the natural world encourage reflection about yourself and your actions. It helps you see how your addiction harms you and your loved ones.

Physical Health
Venturing out into nature helps you start the process of rebuilding your physical health. People spend most of their time indoors, often sitting for long stretches. Simply walking around outside exposes you to fresh air and sunshine. That combo can improve your immune system, reduce stress, and boost your energy levels.

Of course, a good wilderness therapy program includes a more robust schedule. You’ll hike, set up camp, and gather wood. You might end up a little sore, but that’s a good sign that your muscles are on the mend. It lays a foundation for a more physically active and healthier life

Trust …show more content…
You eat on a fairly regular schedule. You see others doing basic self-care activities like brushing their teeth. You also get experience in treating the small scratches and cuts that go along with any outdoor activities.

Self-Respect

Addiction does a lot of damage to your self-respect. It can make you feel weak, helpless, or unfit to manage your own life. Reclaiming your self-respect is just as important to recover as purging your body of drugs and alcohol.
Spending time hiking and camping lets you see yourself as more capable. Setting up a tent or building a fire lets you see that aren’t helpless. Succeeding in a hike shows you that you can finish what you start. Those accomplishments help reshape how you see yourself.

Crest View Recovery Center
Crest View Recovery Center focuses on a reality-based model of addiction therapy. We offer both the standard talk therapy options, as well as holistic options like wilderness therapy. We’re located in the scenic mountains of North Carolina, which supports our holistic efforts. CVRC is open to men and