Hiking is a common and simple activity that can be done by
anyone. This can serve as a hobby or a bonding activity for friends and family.
It is an activity set to be completed in a single day. However, if it’s a
multi-day hiking that involves with camping, it is referred to as backpacking.
Hiking is a term used for a long and vigorous walk in the countryside where
hikers get the chance to appreciate tranquility that nature gives to
hikers. Nature, in the other hand, has
an effect to calm people whose experiencing stress, depression, emotional distress
and even trauma. It is also said to have great short and long term health
benefits to people. People try mountain climbing not just to bond and to have
fun but also to help substance abuse patient in their recovery.
Patients in California go hiking as a part of their outdoor
experiential therapy program. This is done by a series of activities scheduled
by a therapist. As they become involved
in each course, they tend to relax easily and learn to express thoughts and
emotions which they had a hard time doing while in the midst of substance
abuse.
The treatment center provides hiking trails for patients and
let them feel free, comfortable and relax while wandering in nature. The treatment recovery center also offers
activities that are monitored by an experiential therapist not just to secure
their safety but to help patients address their feelings, thoughts and
sentiments that were held back for quite some time. Though activities are always included in the
program, participation from patient is preferred but not mandatory. Patients have
the freedom to do treatment-based activities according to their comfort level.
Although mountain climbing is a tough activity to finish for
substance abuse patients because it requires patience, hard work and strength
to thoroughly accomplish everything, they still feel fulfilled at the end of
the course after reaching the top of the trail. This is what therapist wants
patients to realize after finishing the program which relates to the difficulty
and hardships they felt in recovering from addiction.
After finishing series of courses utilized by rehab centers,
some of the improvements seen on patients are; increased of confidence, self-awareness,
personal growth and change, responsibility, improved communication, teamwork
and trust-building skills. These improvements were great factor for other
patients to consider mountain climbing as part of their recovery to experience
something fresh in their stay in the center. The treatment center’s programs
secure full recovery after completing the course. These were endorsed by
therapists to thoroughly recover from addiction.
