What Can Equine Therapy Do to Help Addictions?

Equine Therapy, also known as Horse-Assisted Therapy (or HAT), is a way to motivate adults to stay in addiction treatment programs for a long enough period of time to recover. Equine Therapy uses horses as metaphorical experiences that stimulate emotional growth. This is crucial in recovering from drug addiction and developing self-efficacy, self-concept, communication skills, trust, and perspective. A qualified therapist can observe the behavior and emotional reactions of each client with horses in order to help them establish healthy relationships between themselves, their friends, and family.

Horses and Substance Abuse Treatments

The main goals of equine therapy are to address subjects such as boundaries, communication, anxiety, focus, awareness, balance, coordination, memorization, and more. Because of their acute awareness of emotional and mental changes, horses play an important part in addiction therapy. The therapist examines the horse’s behavior in relation to the client’s moods, and then extracts information from their interactions with the horse.

A horse’s behavior is like a mirror, it reflects the depressed state or calm state of the handler. The behavior of a horse helps a client to become self-aware and builds trust because most clients perceive horses as friendly and non-judgmental. These interactions allow the client to let their guard down and give the therapist insight into their state of mind. The positive therapeutic partnership between horse and human improves the outcome of treatments. 

Equine Therapy is Supported Scientifically

Many studies have discovered that women who chose horse-assisted therapy had great self-esteem and self realization after going through the process. This enabled them to end abusive relationships. Equine therapy and other animal-assisted therapies have been used to treat depression, anxiety, attention deficit disorder (ADD), substance abuse disorders, and other chronic diseases.

How Did Equine Therapy Start?

The history of therapeutic riding and therapy with horses dates back many years. Greek literature dating as far back as 600 B.C. shows that horseback riding was a form of therapy. The therapy was first formally introduced in Scandinavia in 1946 to treat poliomyelitis. Therapeutic horseback riding was then made possible in North America in 1960. It was a motivating form of recreation for people with disabilities.

Although other animals can be used for therapy, horses are the most well-known because of their immediate feedback. Horses are intimidating and large, which makes the client focus on gaining trust from the animal as well as trusting the animal in return. 

How Does Equine Therapy Assist With Mental Health?

Equine therapy is a form of mental healthcare that involves horses and it is sometimes called equine assisted therapy (EAT). Although it may seem strange to use horses for mental health issues like anxiety, depression, or addiction, it is a common and popular treatment. Equine therapy is a popular treatment option for people suffering from mental disorders because it helps them to feel empowered and find relief from everyday life.

Although you might believe that horse therapy only involves riding horses, it isn’t just that. Equine therapy includes caring for and building relationships with them. Horses are sensitive and intelligent animals. It is impossible to expect them to trust you if you don’t first gain it. This means that horses have expectations of people who work with them. The person involved in addiction or mental health programs is now responsible.

What is Equine Therapy Used For?

The main advantage of working with horses is relationship-building skills. Equine Therapy teaches how to balance internal emotions, assertiveness, resilience, non-verbal communication, positive emotional growth, mindfulness, and more.

Building relationships and avoiding isolation are key components of addiction recovery and mental therapy. It is easy to fall back into old habits and relapse if you are isolated and lack healthy relationships. Both those with mental illness and addiction can benefit from Equine Therapy. It helps them to understand their responsibility to stay sober and build stronger relationships.

Who Benefits From Equine Therapy?

Working with horses can be beneficial for almost everyone. Equine therapy is particularly beneficial to those who are in addiction recovery dealing with some of the most commonly treated addictions or to those who suffer from anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, eating disorders, or depression. People tend to lose their confidence and retreat into isolation in any of these cases. These people can be helped to open up and control their impulses by therapy with horses. Horses are almost like a living mirror, giving immediate feedback on interactions.

How is Equine Therapy Applied?

Horsemanship can include more than riding, cleaning, and grooming. The session’s therapist will usually set goals for each session. One session may involve the patient leading the horse from one place to the next or attaching a halter to the horse. The patient and therapist will discuss their ideas and thoughts about how they completed the duty.

This application is for people suffering from anxiety because it encourages the patient to be present and focused, rather than worrying about the future or past. They need to communicate with their handler, the therapist, and the animal. This kind of “living in the present” activity is also beneficial for those suffering from depression or other mental conditions. 

Cognitive therapy is another application that allows patients to focus on the animal that they are working with. Equines may react to danger by becoming hyper-aware of the world around them. These changes can be seen and felt by patients as they watch the animal. The patient should remain calm and accept responsibility for the animal’s fear.

Scheduling is a common part of this therapy because people with certain disorders may avoid their personal responsibilities. These people can regain their sense of structure and responsibility by scheduling activities to care for and work with animals.

Why Are Horses Great For These Types of Therapies?

Equines are intelligent, sensitive, impartial, and non-judgemental. They react only to the way the person acts and how they feel about it. They are not concerned about past mistakes or appearances. This is often described by patients as a relief in therapy, and it can help with self-esteem and confidence.

Equines are also herd animals which make them prey animals. They are vigilant and alert for dangers, which means that they are keenly aware of their surroundings. They are also able to adapt to human interactions. Patients have the unique chance to feel loved by another being when they go through therapy with horses.

Conclusion

Equine-assisted therapy is a great option for those suffering from anxiety, depression, or other mental disorders. Many rehab centers provide this type of therapy both for addiction treatment and mental healthcare treatment.

For those who are looking for meaning and a new hobby, equine therapy can be very beneficial for their addiction treatment. Many people can experience profound changes in their behavior and thoughts. Contact a reputable drug rehab to learn more about our programs.

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Tips to Stay Sober During a Natural Disaster

Natural disasters are some of the most harrowing experiences that can happen to people. They’re frightening, unpredictable, and they come with a lot of stress. Many people will turn to alcohol or drugs during these times as a coping mechanism for their distress, but it’s important to remember that this is usually not the best idea. A luxury drug rehab will have addiction recovery programs that often include steps for staying sober during natural disasters.

Keep Yourself Busy

Staying busy is a great way to prevent addiction from resurfacing, because it gives your mind something else to focus on other than the stress and discomfort that comes with natural disasters. If you’re not staying busy, it’s easy for addiction thoughts and memories to sneak up and take over your mindset.

Stay Sober During Natural Disaster

Get Rid of All Temptation

If you want to make sure addiction doesn’t rear its head during this time, it’s important to get rid of anything that could trigger addiction cravings, especially if you must remain home for a long period of time due to a natural disaster. This may mean getting rid of alcohol or other substances in your home if they are associated with addiction triggers. It may also mean doing what you can to avoid places where drugs and alcohol were once enjoyed in the past.

Stay Sober During Natural Disaster

Spend Your Time Helping Others Who Are in Need

If thoughts are overwhelming, it is best to take proactive or productive action. Serving others is a healthy way of focusing on something else. This can help you feel proud. Serving others is the best way to stay sane during a crisis. You can help someone in your own home, a friend, or someone in the community.

Stay Sober During Natural Disaster

Don’t Turn to Self-Medication

Don’t turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms when dealing with stress during natural disasters. For example, don’t overeat or try to cope by smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol if you’re trying to stay sober. These kinds of unhealthy behaviors can lead to addiction triggers, addiction cravings, and addiction relapse.

Stay Sober During Natural Disaster

Don’t Ignore Your Trauma or Triggers

Once the initial danger is gone and the shock has subsided, it’s time to recognize the difficulties you have been through. You should be honest about your emotions. Allow yourself to feel happy, sad, indifferent, or any other emotion. You can feel whatever you want. It is crucial to address trauma when it happens so it doesn’t become PTSD.

Self-Care is Key

Food, water, and other necessities might be limited or unavailable during or after a natural disaster. It is recommended that you live a healthy lifestyle by eating healthy, exercising, and maintaining a regular sleep schedule. You should also avoid reading or watching any triggering content, such as the news, when you feel you may relapse. Do not be afraid to seek help, such as one-on-one therapy or group therapy, to talk through your emotions. You can even create a gratitude list. 

Stay Sober During Natural Disaster

Conclusion

Addiction recovery doesn’t have to be hard. All you need is the willingness to get help for your substance abuse, the ability to access addiction resources near you, and several key steps that will keep your sobriety intact during natural disasters.

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If Your Loved One Refuses to Accept Treatment:

10. Accept It!

When a loved one refuses drug rehabilitation, it’s not helpful to be in denial. Even for friends or family members who have not dealt with the addiction, it can be hard to admit that their problems are too severe or dangerous. Although it may not seem like the addict is directly affected, this means that you are acknowledging the problem and preparing yourself to be a support network for them. Although it’s difficult for both sides, it is necessary for the addict to make a recovery. You need to support them.

9. Learn More

Learn more about the most commonly treated addictions and your loved one’s experiences on an educational level. Although every addiction is unique and can be more difficult than you might find online, withdrawal symptoms, as well as other associated aspects, are common to all addictions. This can help you plan for the future, and it can also alert you to any possible overdose signs.

It’s more than just a crucial component to validating your position in an intervention down-the-road. It’s difficult to see the full extent of your loved one’s situation from a third party perspective if you don’t know anything about them. To better understand your loved one’s place in this mess, do some research and learn about the drug or alcohol issues.

8. Assess the Situation

There are many stages of addiction. It can be difficult to find out where your loved one is located. This is a crucial step in determining where your loved one lives. It’s beneficial to determine their current addiction status.

7. Start with the Medical Approach

Addiction can quickly rob someone of their ability to see clearly. Arrange a routine checkup appointment. Tell the doctor about the addiction before you go. This is for several reasons. They will be better equipped to recognize the problem and overcome the excuses of an addict. While doctors will continue to protect the confidentiality of doctor-patient relationships, they may be able to recommend actions for patients. This can prove very helpful. It has been shown that in some cases it can help the addict think clearly when someone other than their family or social circle is able to recognize the issues. It’s a wake up call before they get too far.

6. Stop Enabling

There are ways to stop you from being an instigator if you have been identified by someone outside of yourself. Fear is a human instinct that controls all things. The fear of losing your loved ones to addiction or the loss of their life will make it difficult to provide them with the environment they need. The answer to your question about why or how they use lump sums of money is now clear.

You may have even tried to get advance on your paycheck or pawn things to make additional income. But if you look deep within yourself, you will find that you know something is wrong and that you are financially supporting an addiction. This can be stopped without creating a disturbance. Be non-confrontational and not confrontational. There is a time and place for everything. If they ask you to explain, do so. An addict who feels ganged up on can disappear for days. That’s very worrying. Refuse funding for their vice.

5. Offer Support

Let the addict know, without being too obvious, that you will be there for them regardless of what. It is very easy to have conversations with someone. Keep the topic matter quiet while you both know what’s happening. Avoiding direct language or expressing anger will show them that you aren’t being judgmental and that you want to help.

You may begin to notice positive changes in your behavior after enough of these non-confrontational, timid discussions. You’ve reached a crucial point in your recovery process when an addict truly wants to overcome their addiction. This can make or break a situation. If they respond appropriately and you are still providing support, they may be willing to admit that they have an addiction. This will make it easier for you to communicate with them and help eliminate the need to intervene.

4. If All Else Fails: Don’t Use Guilt

It is easy to confuse the idea of an ultimatum with lecturing or guilting someone addicted into quitting their vice use. You should never try to guilt someone into quitting their addiction. It is not a good idea to use phrases like “How can you do this to me” or any other words that could lead to guilt and/or shame.

3. Encourage Them to be Positive

It’s easy to see if they are being enabled or not, but the bottom line is this: You can help them seek out help, whether they are looking for a therapist or detoxification programs.

2. Analyze

It’s all down to the wire. Our number one goal will be to get your loved one off drugs and give them the care and attention they require. You can assess if your efforts have been successful by looking back at the past few weeks and months.

1. Intervention

We are not talking about the MTV-style of intervention. Statistics show that real, tested interventions which give ultimatums to addicts are the best tools for communicating with loved ones and getting the message out. This is what we have, even though some may call it “tough love”. It was difficult for all involved, and will always be remembered as a crucial point in an addict’s life.

Although it may take some time for emotions to heal, intervention is absolutely necessary to make the right decision. Interventions are not meant to be a punishment but allow family members to voice their grievances and express their emotions in a constructive way. An interventionist can often deliver the best formula to maximize your chances of success. Interventions are meant to force the addict to become a patient. Nobody who is forced to heal by themselves can. Even though it may require some pushing, addicts must be able to enter rehab by their own willpower.

There are many ways to get to the inner person, but there is no one way. Different methods work differently for different people. Intervention has been shown to be the best way to help your loved ones and get them ready for whatever lies ahead, especially if the goal is to get them into one of the many available drug rehab centers around the country.

You are aware that your loved one is in need of help. It’s clear that it is time to intervene. Talk to a treatment provider right away!

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What are the Most commonly treated addictions?

Because of the serious health risks involved with drug addiction, it is understandable that many people will seek help with drug addiction recovery as soon as they decide to turn to drugs or alcohol. The problem is that a majority of those who are trying to quit drugs or alcohol are not sure what they should expect during the process. Some people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol are not even aware that they have a problem. This is because there are various ways to self-medicate for certain addictions, such as morphine addiction, whether it be through alcohol or prescription medications.

Drug addiction recovery requires both personal and institutional help. The addict will need extensive therapy and will be required to stay away from drugs while they are in recovery. The addict will likely need medication for some time during the recovery process. Some drugs, such as methamphetamines or crystal meth, will be hard to kick at first, making it difficult for an addict to stop using them. Other harder drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, alcohol, and crack cocaine, will require a more serious effort on the part of the addict to quit using.

Classes of Drugs

Drugs are divided into classes and there are many classes. For example, there are analgesics, anti-anxiety medications, antidepressants, drugs for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, cancer drugs, and others. A drug class is basically a group of compounds and other substances that all have the same intended chemical structures, a similar mechanism of action, an effective mode of action, or are employed to treat the very same disease.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has established the following five classes of drugs according to the United States Pharmacopoeia. These are: Analgesics, Antidepressants, Carbamazepine, Cyprindiol, and Tricyclic Antidepressants. These classes are further divided into two additional classes, namely, Tolerable Drug Substances or TDSS and Manual Control Substances or MCS. The main difference between these two classes of drugs is that MCSs can be recommended for children while TDSS is recommended for adults.

Addiction Recovery Programs

Most programs that concentrate on drug or alcohol rehabilitation focus on the effects of drug addiction on family members first. As such, if you are an individual seeking to recover from an addiction to a substance abuse, it is important that you work on rebuilding trust between you and your family. If you can show your family that you are sincerely trying to work on being clean and breaking free of your drug or alcohol addiction, you can begin the process of reconciling with them.

While there are many different methods of addiction treatment, many professionals believe that the most successful method of treatment is a residential treatment. If you are searching for the most effective way to cure your substance use disorder, then you should look into going to a drug rehab center. Drug rehab centers are able to treat various types of addictions. An addiction to alcohol is one of the most difficult to conquer, but there are countless other types of addictions that have been successfully treated at drug rehab centers throughout the United States. Alcohol addiction treatment outcomes vary, depending upon the severity of the addiction. Most successful drug addiction treatment outcomes are achieved when the addict has achieved a certain level of stability and sobriety.

Here are Some of the Commonly Treated Addictions

Benzodiazepine

Benzodiazepine is an antidepressant that is given to treat depression and is sometimes given in combination with mood stabilizers. It works by fooling your brain into thinking you are not depressed. This trickery gives you a false sense of security so that you will be less likely to feel depressed. Unfortunately, because your body has become dependent on these mood-stabilizing agents, it can become difficult to get off of them for long periods of time.

Once a person becomes addicted to benzodiazepine, it is very difficult to stop using the drug without going through withdrawal. This is because your body has been so reliant on the drug for its mood-stabilizing effects that you will have to go through with the withdrawal process if you want to permanently remove the drugs from your system. Because the drug is so addictive, people who try to quit often have horrible withdrawal symptoms that are very hard to live with. Most of the time they are not able to last even a few hours without using the drug, and at times it can be even more dangerous to them than being depressed.

Cocaine

Cocaine is a highly addictive cathinone alkaloid and powerful stimulant, mainly obtained from the leaves of two cocoa species. It is most popularly used as a euphoric and recreational stimulant. Cocaine acts at the central nervous system to release neurotransmitters such as nor epinephrine and dopamine, both of which are widely used in the body for a range of functions, including movement, mood, anxiety, memory and alertness. These neurotransmitters act at synapses in the brain, allowing nerves in the body to communicate with other neurons, and ultimately to provide pleasure. Cocaine acts at the monosynaptic sites, which are involved in the transmission of impulses along the line of afferent nerves, with other synapses forming secondary ones at visceral areas, insular regions and reticular areas. It has been estimated that cocaine use leads to the formation of at least six times more synaptic connections than would be normal in normal physiology.

There are two major health effects resulting from continued use of cocaine, which both increase with increased usage and intensity. The first is increased blood pressure and heart rate; this is coupled with feelings of paranoia, anxiety and irritability. The second is profound mental delusion which may result in hallucinations such as hearing voices and seeing things that aren’t actually present. As these levels of paranoia increase, so does the risk of delirium tremens (falls in which patients suffer uncontrollable shaking and sweating).

Amphetamines

One of the most difficult addictions to break is that of amphetamine abuse or amphetamines addiction. This is because of the fact that amphetamines make the brain work much harder than it normally does, which can ultimately lead to the user’s inability to focus and to remember things. The side effects of this drug include speed, a euphoric high, and the feeling of being full for a longer period of time than normal. This can make it very hard to maintain the motivation needed in order to stop using that as a result can contribute to their becoming addict. It is these things along with the fact that amphetamines actually do have a lot of medical benefits that makes people continue to use them despite the serious side effects that come with them.

One of the things that make amphetamines so addictive is that they affect the reward system in the brain. The reward system is where the brain sends signals telling us that something good has happened if we continue to perform a certain action. For example, when we go to the gym and perform some form of exercise we are rewarding ourselves for our performance. The dopamine that is released into our bodies increases and this causes us to crave the reward that is being offered.

Opiates

Opiates are chemical substances which act directly on opioid receptors to produce opiate-like euphoric effects. Medically they are most commonly used for chronic pain, particularly for severe pain, as well as acute pain. In fact, many of today’s prescription pain killers can be considered opiates, because they react in a similar way to opiates. An opioid is a chemical substance that causes the body to release opiates, or opiates.

Doctors classify opiates into two groups: synthetic and natural. Synthetic opioids are considered quite dangerous because of their ability to cause addiction and dependency. This type of substance often mimics other chemicals in the body, so the person taking it may experience an assortment of different side effects. Conversely, natural opiates are not considered to be as dangerous because they occur in natural quantities in certain plants and herbs. Although there are synthetic varieties of these substances available over the counter, they usually come in dosages far too large to be effective.

Alcohol

Alcohol addiction is one of the most misunderstood addictions. It’s easy to see why, as alcohol abuse is the worst form of physical dependence. People start out with alcohol as a social drink, maybe at a party or a friend’s house. Over time, however, they begin to realize that they can’t function without it, and their lives become unmanageable.

The first step to recovery from alcohol addiction is to seek help. Alcoholism rehab centers are the best way for people who have an alcohol addiction to recover. The staff takes the issue of addiction seriously and will do whatever they can to help the recovering addict achieve success. They treat the problem holistically, encouraging patients to make positive lifestyle changes in the area of alcohol abuse while helping them reclaim their life. The more people who receive treatment for alcoholism and drug addiction, the fewer people there will be who continue to suffer and die due to the disease.

Get Help

With proper treatment, most adult drug addicts can lead normal lives that involve close relationships and involvement in social and work life activities. Inpatient drug addiction recovery treatment centers provide the necessary inpatient facilities to successfully treat adults. Regardless of the treatment method used, the primary goal of successful drug addiction recovery should be to help the person feel healthy and satisfied with his or her life, and to help him or her develop the necessary skills to avoid drug relapse.

If you or someone you know may be suffering from any type of addiction, then you need to seek out professional help. There is help available for many people who suffer from substance addictions. Drug rehab centers are the place you need to turn if you or someone you know needs help with substance abuse issues. There is no reason to feel ashamed or embarrassed about seeking help with any type of addictions. The more you accept responsibility for your problems, the better off you will be.

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