Using techniques that involve art, dance, music, sports and social gatherings, recreational therapy helps people find new ways to cope in recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As an available form of treatment for a variety of issues, including substance use and mental health disorders, recreational therapy can help improve the health and wellness of an individual. Recreation therapy \u2014 sometimes called therapeutic recreation \u2014 may add a level of support and symptom improvement other treatments cannot match.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recreational therapy is a treatment designed to use recreational skills and other activities as tools to address illnesses and limitations of the individual. These limitations could be psychological, physical, social or spiritual. Anything that stands in the way of happiness and a person\u2019s functioning could benefit from rec therapy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is therapeutic recreation? Recreational therapy is an effective way to improve someone\u2019s:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this way, recreational therapy programs are not only interested in reducing the unwanted side effects or symptoms of a problem. Instead, they focused on improving all aspects of a person\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some form of recreational therapy has always been present in various types of treatment for mental and physical health conditions. In 1984<\/a>, the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) was established to propel recreational therapists forward. The organization believes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n From the outside, it may seem like recreational therapy is only people playing games or making crafts, but the activities are therapeutic and tailored specifically to the person. Therapeutic recreation is a formal treatment style conducted by trained experts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These experts employ the skills associated with APIED to address addiction as they would any other mental and physical health issues a person is confronting. They will:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Therapists will build a recreation therapy treatment plan based on the individual\u2019s specific needs and symptoms. This step is always important because someone with long-term and frequent use of heroin<\/a> will likely benefit from different interventions than someone with short-term marijuana use<\/a>. In this way, recreation therapy is always an individualized treatment. When treatment is unique and expertly tailored to the specific person, there is a greater chance of success from the level of care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Recreational therapy interventions interact nicely with addiction recovery measures. For people with substance abuse issues, recreation therapy goals and interventions are all aimed at helping with the recovery process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recreational therapy goals and objectives in addiction recovery begin with reducing the use of problematic substances. The undesirable use of alcohol<\/a>, illicit drugs and legal substances can harm a person\u2019s well-being, so recreational therapy works to minimize use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If use can be eliminated, therapy will shift towards maintaining sobriety. With time, recreational therapy interventions can shift again into the stage of sustaining recovery. Though sustained recovery may not require the same intensity of treatment needed in early recovery, it will be important for addiction services to continue so that complacency and boredom do not present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The goals of recreation therapy are always the same: to improve a person\u2019s level of functioning and happiness. In the case of addiction treatment<\/a>, recreational therapy is a great way for clients to practice new coping skills that replace previous substance use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like other types of therapy, it can be challenging to know who will respond favorably to recreational therapy. At times, a practitioner may think someone is an ideal candidate only to learn later that the person and the therapy were not a good fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Overall, many people will benefit from the evidence-based practice of recreation therapy. Whether it is recreational therapy in mental health or recreational therapy in physical health, people generally experience positive outcomes from the treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the ATRA, the following groups<\/a> are appropriate for rec therapy:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Consider a person who is newly sober after a long history of using alcohol and other drugs. They will experience numerous changes, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recreational therapy can help people address these challenges in a healthy and productive way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When someone begins recreational therapy, they can expect a variety of therapeutic recreation activities for adults, teens<\/a> or kids to get started following an initial assessment. These activities are the primary treatment strategies recreational therapists use to accomplish goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Different types of recreational therapy activities for substance abuse<\/a> may include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Arts and Crafts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Covering a huge array of creative activities, arts and crafts<\/a> may involve making collages, writing stories or poetry or producing art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sports, Exercise and Yoga Programs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n One way recreational therapy can create change in mental and physical health is by using sports and exercise programs to improve the person\u2019s body and mind. Sports are excellent recreational therapy activities for substance abuse recovery because they help people rebuild healthy social interactions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dance and Music<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Just like arts and crafts, dance and music<\/a> represent another form of expression a person can use to improve their state. A person can make or listen to music to express themselves, feel catharsis and feel understood by others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Group Outings<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Gathering with people can add structure to one\u2019s life and provide an opportunity to make new friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Animal-Assisted Activities<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Interacting with animals<\/a>, grooming them and caring for their needs can be therapeutic for many.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Using techniques that involve art, dance, music, sports and social gatherings, recreational therapy helps people find new ways to cope in recovery. As an available form of treatment for a variety of issues, including substance use and mental health disorders, recreational therapy can help improve the health and wellness of an individual. Recreation therapy \u2014 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":9939,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10754","blog","type-blog","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"written_by":307,"enable_medically_and_up":["Yes"],"medically_reviewed_by":301,"medically_reviewed_content":"This article was reviewed by a medical professional to guarantee the delivery of accurate and up-to- date information. View our research policy.<\/a>","up_to_date":"Last Updated<\/i> - 12\/28\/2022<\/b>","page_first_published_date":"20221228","page_last_edit_date":"20221228","highlighted_description":"If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, help is available. Speak with a Recovery Advocate by calling 888-648-0738<\/b><\/a> now.","key_takeaways":"Key Takeaways<\/strong>\r\n\n
How Therapeutic Recreation Works in Addiction Treatment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Recreational Therapy Goals in Addiction Recovery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Who Benefits Most from Recreational Therapy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Types of Recreational Therapy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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