Addressing Addiction with a Ropes Course
Alcoholism and drug addiction thrive in the emotion of fear. At Cirque Lodge, we have a unique way of addressing fear with those in alcohol and drug rehab. We use a rope course. At the Studio, a 17,000 ft. soundstage houses the world’s largest indoor ropes challenge course and climbing facility, dedicated for those in addiction treatment. This facility is used for many different high and low ropes events. The high ropes elements are ran by our experiential team; all of them are certified and trained climbers. They provide those in drug rehab a safe and memorable ropes experience.
High ropes events can help the alcoholic/addict in getting out of their comfort frame. This comfort is built up in the mindset of drinking and using. A climbing activity can help them in tackling their fears and having a sense of accomplishment. Through these exercises, the individual is answering to challenges placed forth by the experiential team. Fellow residents are also present providing help and support. In fact, some ropes activities require residents to work as a team to accomplish the feat. Achieving these feats can replace the fear and the struggles of addiction with new concepts of recovery.
With every experiential activity, a sit down occurs. Residents and the experiential staff have a discussion on what was learned and how it applies to the recovery process. Individuals can take a number of different things away from working with the high ropes events. Interestingly enough, most times it is exactly what they are in need of, personally, for their own recovery process.