Substance use disorders affect one’s lifestyle as well as their mental and physical health. It can be difficult for people with active substance use and mental health disorders to experience joy without the use of substances. People with these conditions can become fixated on their ability to obtain and use alcohol and drugs and dedicate the majority of their awareness and energy focusing on misusing their substances of choice.
A major focus of effective treatment is learning how to experience happiness and excitement without the use of substances. Boredom, lethargy, and the fear of not being able to experience joy while sober can sometimes trigger relapses. Discovering how to have fun while staying sober is crucial to building the resilience that supports ongoing recovery.
At Recovery Ways, recreational therapy plays an important part in our holistic care and helps patients develop competence, skills, and independence. Leisure education teaches patients how to build healthy relationships and trust of self and others.
Physical leisure activities help patients experience a sense of adventure, maintain a healthy body, and make new sober friends while reducing stress. Recreation is a safe and natural way to counter the effects of depression, reduce anxiety, and support overall well-being. Taking on challenges fortifies intrinsic motivation. All of these things will help people in recovery overcome everyday stress, cope with triggers and co-occurring disorders, and maintain a healthy sober lifestyle.
Recovery Ways offers recreational activities for people of any age. We encourage our patients to try new activities and to venture outside of their typical comfort zone to find new pathways to exhilaration, exercise, and joy. Utah’s spectacular landscapes and excellent recreational facilities offer year-round opportunities for fun and camaraderie. Local mountains provide access to the country’s best powder snow for skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and more. Nearby lakes, rivers, and canyons offer extraordinary natural beauty that stirs the soul and offers endless adventures.
Seasonal recreational activities at Recovery Ways include:
- Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing
- Volleyball
- Hiking, rock climbing, and rappelling
- Kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding
- Ziplining and rope courses
- Bowling and billiards
- Aquarium and local tours
- Biking
- Miniature golf
- Go-karts and laser tag
- Sailing
- Yoga
- Archery
Recreational therapy reduces boredom, improves self-esteem, and social functioning. It helps patients develop exercise routines, relaxation skills, and problem-solving know-how. It decreases loneliness and increases feelings of control, the ability to focus, the ability to cope with stress without substance misuse, and the ability to enjoy sober fun.
