A recovery process from an addiction is obviously made up of a detoxification treatment, but also other elements that will contribute positively to overcoming an addiction, as they are great allies. At CCAdicciones we offer our patients the possibility of being admitted to our centre and starting a detoxification treatment. While they are undergoing this treatment, they also take part in other complementary activities. For us, it is essential to combine more conventional treatments with other complementary services, such as sports and recreational activities.
Periodically, we organise therapeutic outings, each of which is focused on working on a specific aspect and meeting certain objectives aimed at improving an addiction. The latest was a climbing gym outing as an integration activity so that patients could practise climbing. We explain the reasons for this outing and all its benefits.
Integration and reintegration activities
Our patients admitted to the Roda de Berà centre have regular outings to promote positive values. Those in therapeutic apartments also take part in activities to facilitate their integration and social reintegration.
The climbing gym outing: an integration activity
The climbing gym outing is an integration activity that was not random. It is a positive physical integration activity. Leaving the inpatient centre to go climbing is an occupational activity for integration and social reintegration. Climbing is a very complete sport with physical benefits, but also mental ones. Climbing involves the action and movement of many muscles, so it increases strength in the arms and legs and improves muscle tone. Balance and agility are also put into practice.
Other benefits experienced include improved confidence, because climbing is an activity in which the person faces challenges. It is a challenge to go up the climbing wall little by little, overcoming difficulties along the way. It is an escape, because the person who climbs must stay focused while doing this activity. Therefore, it helps them switch off and encourages positive feelings.
While climbing, certain neurotransmitters are released, such as endorphins, serotonin, oxytocin, dopamine… which are responsible for personal wellbeing.
Other complementary activities
The complementary activities we organise are divided into two groups: sports and recreational. The purpose of these activities is to speed up patients’ rehabilitation and contribute positively to re-establishing their behaviour so they can achieve a life free from addictions.
Sports activities
Sport is a great therapeutic complement in addiction treatment. All activities are led by specialists and sports technicians. Some of the most common activities are:
- Toning, elasticity and flexibility work to improve physical fitness, such as guided Pilates classes.
- Proprioception: coordination exercises for neurological activation of oneself and the surrounding space. Drug use causes the person to lose even the sense of their own body and may even come to perceive their organism as a separate part of themselves. They need to regain coordination and movement.
- Personalised training adapted to each patient’s needs. Not everyone has the same abilities or requires the same.
Benefits of sports activities
Practising sport has many benefits. First of all, it is a way to improve patients’ physical fitness. It is an important part of physical recovery, which has been impaired by addiction. If the patient is in good physical shape, it will be easier for them to face the detoxification process.
Sport generates endorphins that improve the mood of the person who practises it. Thanks to them, after exercising you feel a sense of happiness, as they reduce anxiety and stress. When a person is exercising, there are not only physical consequences, but also internal ones. Different hormones are produced that have positive effects. For example, serotonin, which provides a feeling of calm and wellbeing. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter responsible for creating a feeling of satisfaction after exercising.
Therefore, sport is a space for improvement where negative feelings that worsen addiction, such as anxiety and stress, can be reduced, while physical energy is gained. In short, introducing sport into someone’s life is synonymous with establishing healthy routines that can replace those toxic habits caused by addiction. In addition, exercising in a group improves communication between participants, reinforces camaraderie and strengthens values such as self-improvement, respect, competitiveness, teamwork, etc.
Recreational activities
In addition to sports activities, we also carry out recreational activities. They are a good way for patients to work on improving certain aspects in a relaxed, dynamic and enjoyable way. Workshops are held to work on social and communication skills. It is important to gradually recover the abilities that have been lost due to substance use. There are other values such as empathy, assertiveness, tolerance, impulsivity or self-esteem that are important to work on in group dynamics. Verbal and non-verbal communication is also enhanced through body expression and laughter therapy. Finally, relaxation and mindfulness techniques are carried out, which are beneficial for emotional balance and anxiety. Addiction illness has a close relationship with addictions; they worsen each other. Therefore, practising relaxation exercises will help control stress and reduce cravings to use.
Overcoming addiction
Therapeutic outings, sports therapy, recreational activities… are complementary dynamics to a detoxification treatment. As we have mentioned, they have countless benefits for patients, but only if combined with medical detoxification. The key to success is the combination of both.
CCAdicciones detoxification treatments are the result of 15 years of experience experimenting with and combining different therapies and treatments to offer the most effective one, based on our own experience. It is a toxin-free treatment aimed at people who need to detoxify or break dependence on harmful substances in the short or medium term, whether they are in a phase of abuse or dependence.
Ask for help
CCAdicciones is a therapeutic detox and rehabilitation clinic that has the method, expert professionals, and all the comforts and suitable facilities. Asking for help from a specialised addiction centre is the first step to being able to stop using or to definitively put an end to an addictive behaviour. If you or someone close to you suffers from an addiction, do not hesitate. Get in contact with us and start a new stage in which there is no place for addictions. Call us and we will inform you! We are at your disposal for anything you need. Remember that overcoming addiction is possible.
