Addiction Treatment and Horses
You wouldn’t think that horses have any place in addiction treatment. How could working with animals get an individual off of alcohol or drug addiction? Cirque Lodge makes these therapeutic experiences a reality with their equine program. The clients of Cirque Lodge’s alcohol or drug rehab have an opportunity to develop skills by working with horses.
Horses are amazingly intelligent creatures that give direct feedback through actions. The drug addict or alcoholic can learn a lot about themselves by how they interact with the horse. This can be a sobering lesson in communication, honesty and trust. The client must have the trust of the horse before this big powerful animal becomes submissive. Gaining this trust can be a process and teach many lessons along the way.
One the important lessons, asking for help. Most people are quite new to horses and getting the horse to do basic things can be a chore. However, members of the experiential staff are available to help them, but only if they ask appropriately. This reflects the addict’s need to ask for help in other areas of their life, specifically with the problems of drugs and alcohol. Asking for help is an important aspect of the recovery process. Working with horses is just a fun and alternative way to assist the addict in seeing the need to ask.
The horses are an integral part of the Cirque Lodge program. Cirque Lodge uses many experiential activities as a part of their effective recovery program. It makes rehab more of a life changing and fun experience altogether.