Substance addicts get to a point when they feel pleasure only if they consume a particular substance. On the long run, addicts will replace the activities they once loved with the substance they consume. They would forget about their hobbies and the moments they prefer to spend with their loved ones. Drugs and alcohol have the power to alter the brain’s reward center and the addict is not able to feel happiness and pleasure anymore. After a long period of consuming a certain substance, the use will no longer be able to enjoy everyday life, without consuming it. The goal of rehab treatment is to help the patient recover the desire to get involved in other activities, and to break the addiction. But there are numerous cases when a person who treated themselves from an addiction relapsed because they were not able to maintain their path outside the rehab center. Studies show that the best way to prevent relapse is to get involved in outdoor activities.

Outdoor activities during the addiction treatment

The majority of drug rehab centers have outdoor spaces where patients can spend their time when they fight their heroin addiction. For example, many people find healing to work in the garden when they have to get over a period like this. The withdrawal from a substance is an overwhelming period for the body, and working outdoors helps it recover. When they have the possibility to engage in physical activities they have access to multiple types of learning and expression. They can get involved in multiple recreational activities, in order to help them during the healing period. They can walk, take part in singing and dancing classes, learn how to create art or they can only hang out with people in their situation outdoors.

How outdoor activities prevent relapse

When they are ready to come home from The Holistic Sanctuary  they need to get involved in activities that keep them busy. Working outdoors in the garden, for example will keep them away from the factors that can trigger them memories of the period when they were addicts. They will keep both their mind and body busy and they will not have time to get into using substances. If they occupy their time with numerous physical activities, they will combat boredom and they will be able to maintain the line they started during the treatment.

They can join groups that are interested in doing recreational activities outdoors and to grow healthy friendships, because in numerous cases the entourage is the one that causes a person to have unhealthy habits. If they find an outdoor activity they like, and they get into it, they have fewer chances to relapse and the temptation to go back is lower. Doing activities around the house, together with their family is one of the best strategies to prevent relapse, because they are surrounded by persons who make sure to keep them away from triggers. It is important to build themselves a new life, based on healthy activities.