Drug Rehab Blog

Cirque Lodge incorporates a number of clinical and traditional recovery aspects into the experiential therapies used in our alcohol and drug rehab program. The experiential program plays an integral role in a unique approach to addressing the disease of alcoholism or drug addiction. The Cirque Lodge Studio facility is a massive venue that offers indoor locations for such activities when the weather is not so good. A giant 17,000 sq. foot soundstage is home to a massive ropes, challenge and climbing course for residents. The ropes course, as it is commonly called provides lessons on teamwork, communication, overcoming fears and asking for help.

The ropes course consists of two massive log tripods that extend from the floor to nearly the ceiling of the 50 ft. soundstage. In between these structures are a series of ropes, cables and climbing challenges. The high ropes events also are equipped with a zip-line down to the floor and a giant swing that is attached to the ceiling of the soundstage. Experienced and professional members of the Cirque lodge experiential team work with clients through a number of these climbing events. The ropes course also consists of a bevy of low ropes activities and team oriented challenges that help to facilitate establishing boundaries, trust and communication for the recovery alcoholic/addict.

Such activities provide a challenge and also require the use of cognitive functions that can be affected by years of substance abuse. Experiential activities and the ropes course also show the recovering alcoholic/addict ways they can have fun in the recovery process. To many that is the subtle difference to the Cirque Lodge program. It is intensive and effective for sure, but it also provides a therapeutic, spiritual and fun approach to overcoming addiction. It is such an integral part of the Cirque Lodge program that residents have a chance to participate in experiential activities nearly every day and are in the ropes course a few times each week.

The experiential program at Cirque provides many unique opportunities to learn lessons of recovery. One such activity is found through the equine program. The Cirque Lodge drug treatment facility has a number of horses that are specifically for working with clients through a number of therapeutic exercises. The Cirque Lodge Studio location has indoor and outdoor space for working with the horses. This time of year the indoor facility helps to keep the horses and the residents out of the cold elements. Residents work with horses and also members of our experiential staff through these equine exercises.

For the individual in alcohol or drug rehab who has been around horses, the equine program can be quite therapeutic and provide them with something they can connect with while in treatment. For those who have not been around horses, the activity can be very trying, but also can teach invaluable lessons on communication, establishing trust and asking for help. Horses by nature are creatures of flight and part of the process of working with horses can be just to gain the trust of the animal. It can be a very powerful experience when such trust is established and the horse is willing to submit to the residents’ commands.

Usually when you think of a drug rehab or alcohol treatment program, horses are not what comes to mind. At Cirque Lodge, they are just part of the unique and healing experience that has helped so many individuals with the struggles of drugs or alcohol. It always seems that residents gain exactly what they need from the equine experience, for themselves and for their recovery. The horses and experiential activities are integrated into the effective pieces of clinical therapy and the 12-step program.

Cirque Lodge is known for a number of things, but one that stands out when it comes to alcohol and drug rehab is our experiential program. Experiential activities offer the struggling alcoholic/addict with a chance to learn through hands on experiences. It provides a level of fun and physical challenge to the alcohol and drug rehab program and it is combined each day with the clinical aspects of addiction treatment. Today we look closer at some of these experiential aspects.

Equine program – Residents of Cirque Lodge get the opportunity to work with horses. This activity teaches lessons on communication, patience, honesty and establishing trust. The alcoholic/addict must gain the trust of the horse, this can be a process. When trust is established, the horse can develop and make connections with the resident working with them. It always seems that the residents gain exactly what they need from working with the horses.

Ropes Course – Cirque Lodge has the world’s largest indoor ropes challenge and climbing course dedicated to an alcohol or drug rehab facility. The ropes course offers a number of challenges to residents. The higher elements can help to them to learn to conquer and address their fears. Fear is an emotion that addiction thrives upon. There are also a number of ropes activities that requires the work of a team, communication, trust and support to accomplish. At the close of these activities residents can share with each other what was learned in the challenge and how it applies to their recovery.

Nature/The Mountain – the Cirque Lodge location provides venues for a number of mountain based activities. These include, hiking, mountain biking, snow shoeing in the winter, fishing on occasion, rafting, rock climbing and bon fires in the mountains. These activities are coupled with lessons on recovery, Big Book work, meditation and chances to connect with a higher power. Residents who are working on their third and fourth step of recovery also have a chance to go on a private mountain flight into nature in the Cirque Lodge Helicopter.

Exercise/Wellness – Experiential work also provides residents with many chances to get some exercise. They also have a chance to work out with a trainer or instructor through different work outs. Activities are intended to increase physical recovery over the struggles of drugs and alcohol. Yoga is also used for its exercise and also spiritual/meditation properties within the Cirque Lodge alcohol and drug rehab program.

One of the unique parts of the Cirque Lodge alcohol and drug rehab experience is experiential therapy. A number of unique indoor and outdoor activities are utilized in teaching lessons of life and recovery. One of these activities involves our ropes course. The Studio location of Cirque is formerly a television and movie studio. A large soundstage in the facility houses a ropes course, archery and a Native American teepee. The indoor venue allows residents to take part in these activities year round as a part of their addiction treatment and recovery program.

The ropes course consists of two giant tripods of logs that connected together through a series of climbing events and challenges. Clients can learn to overcome their fears through accomplishing such feats. A giant swing and zip line also provide some fun within these activities. However, ropes activities consist of so much more. There are also a number of low ropes challenges that require the work of a team and different thought processes to think through the problem. The lessons that are learned can be applied to overcoming addiction and working the steps of recovery.

These activities are conducted and carried out by members of our experiential staff. These individuals are trained and experienced in working with clients through such climbing activities. Staff members also take time in the activity to sit down with the clients and discuss what was learned with the challenge and how it can apply to themselves and their recovery. Such activities also help to make the treatment and drug rehab experience more enjoyable. Overcoming an addiction can be a struggle. Experiential activities help with spiritual recovery and having some fun while doing so.

When the average individual thinks drug or alcohol rehab usually they aren’t think horses. At the Cirque Lodge, horses are a unique and effective piece to our mountain recovery program. Combined into the traditional and clinical aspects of Cirque’s recovery program is the use of experiential therapies. These therapies give hands on experience in learning and developing the tools of recovery. One piece of experiential work involves Cirque Lodge’s horses. The Studio facility has stables and indoor and outdoor venues for what we like to call ‘equine therapy’.

One thing that alcoholics and addicts must learn is that they are powerless over their addictive substance of choice and that it is okay to ask for help. The horses are used for many different activities. Residents take part in caring for and assisting with the horses. However, to participate in some of the activities involved, the alcoholic/addict must establish trust with the horse. For some this can be a difficult thing. The addicted mind will look to impose its will upon the horse. Horses are creatures of flight and very acutely aware of their surroundings. Several lessons are learned in establishing trust with the horses, especially when the alcoholic/addict asks for help and direction in working with the animal.

Once a connection is made with the horse, the animal can become very trusting of the individual. It is a direct and honest feedback; one that does not require words to convey. This activity can teach the individual several lessons about themselves. It often seems that the resident gains exactly what they stand in need of from working with the horses. The individual can experience a full spectrum of emotions in the activity. It can begin with frustration and confusion in trying to get the horse to respond. The result can end up being a much more rewarding, peaceful and serene feeling. The resident has gained the friendship of an animal. In most cases it is a trust and friendship they had to work hard for.

Cirque Lodge offers treatment in somewhat of a unique way. The clinical aspects of addiction treatment and drug rehab, as well as the well the emphasis on 12-step recovery work is balanced with a number of indoor and outdoor activities. These activities are many times referred to as experiential therapies. Time is allotted each day for residents to take part in a different activity, challenge or nature experience. These aspects to our treatment approach help to make the rehabilitation experience just a little bit more engaging, enjoyable and memorable. The processes and therapies of alcohol and drug rehab can be very taxing on individuals. With the experiential program, such process and elements are discovered through engaging activities that can enhance the entire process.

With the experiential aspects of Cirque Lodge clients can discover skills for recovery and healing in ways they never imagined. We have a ropes course to teach lessons on overcoming fears, accomplishing successes and working as a team. The art room gets residents to work with their hands and their creative skills. Clients can work with and ride horses as a part of rehab. This special aspect of equine work provides powerful lessons on honesty, trust and asking for help (something addicts can struggle with). Experiential activities are also used to promote physical recovery and rehabilitation. Cirque offers personal trainers, yoga instructors and exercise facilities to help residents recover from the physical struggles of addiction.

Also, a number of outdoor experiences play a part in the experiential aspect of the Cirque Lodge drug rehab program. The mountains surrounding the Lodge and Studio are some of the most beautiful in the world. They are also venues for hiking activities, mountain biking, river rafting, fishing and even snow shoeing in the winter. We even have a private helicopter that takes clients to remote places in nature for meditation and hiking activities. Man has always turned to the mountains and nature for its healing aspects. The Native Americans of this region revered these mountains as a sacred or special place. Those seeking to rehab from their problems of drugs or alcoholism can have similar feeling through mountain activities offered here at the Cirque.

One aspect to alcohol and drug rehab that sets Cirque Lodge apart from fellow addiction treatment facilities is the use of experiential therapies. Coupled with the traditional and clinical aspects of rehab treatment, experiential activities provide hands on work with developing the skills needed to deal with the impulses of alcohol or drug addiction. A part of each treatment day is devoted to working with the experiential staff through a number of therapeutic and developmental activities. These activities take advantage of the Cirque Lodge location and the surrounding mountains and nature.

The Cirque Lodge Studio location offers a number of venues for different activities and experiences. A giant soundstage houses an indoor ropes course, archery range and even an authentic Native American Teepee. The ropes course consists of several climbing and team building events. Such activities are accompanied with discussions and developmental lessons on recovery from addiction. The Studio also is the home of the Cirque Lodge horses. Equine therapy is a unique and powerful aspect to those struggling with alcoholism and drug addiction. Through working with horses, clients can develop skills in establishing trust, honest communication and asking for help.

Different outdoor activities are used depending on the time of year. Clients in drug rehab have many chances to get out onto the mountain in all the beautiful seasons throughout the year. With it being summer, there are a number of activities like, hiking, biking, rafting and fishing that are utilized. Activities can be coupled with lessons out of the Big Book, a chance to meditate and even opportunities to share experiences and support for one another. Many aspects go into alcohol and drug rehab at Cirque Lodge. Our experiential program is an effective piece to our well balanced and recognized addiction treatment facility.

The warmer months at Cirque Lodge provide a new array of experiential and recovery activities. Alcohol and drug rehab at the Cirque consist of the most effective forms of clinical care combined with the healing and recovery aspects of experiential learning activities. As the snow melts, a number of new and beautiful mountain locations are available. These venues are used as places to teach concepts of recovery, the 12-steps and as quiet places for meditation in nature. Part of the fun comes from the modes and means it takes to get to these locations.

Experiential work is fun and engaging. It helps to balance out the clinical aspects of alcohol and drug rehab. It consists of a number of indoor and outdoor activities. In the summertime these activities include hikes, biking, climbing, fishing the river, and rafting. The equine activities can take place out of doors in the summer. Time can be taken out of these activities to discuss aspects of recovery and for connecting to a higher power.

Overcoming the struggles of alcohol and drug addiction can come by many means. At Cirque Lodge, we strive to provide residents with a drug rehab or alcohol treatment experience that encompasses several aspects of recovery. The focus is a well-rounded program for body, mind and spirit. Experiential activities touch on these aspects in many different ways. The activity portion helps with the physical recovery of addiction. The lessons taught through such activities can help individuals with their internal struggles. Cirque Lodge is founded upon the 12-step program. Many different activities and experiential excursions into the mountains provide clients with chances to have vital spiritual experiences.

Cirque Lodge offers many unique challenges through its drug rehab program and emphasis on experiential therapy. One very unique aspect of this program is for the alcoholic or drug addict to work with horses in this process. Equine therapy is used in many different aspects of treatment for substance abuse, developmental and mental health concerns. To clarify, these are not therapy horses that have been broken to work with all manner of individuals. Cirque Lodge horses are bought young and residents have the chance to be a part of the process to build these horses into what they can become. In turn, the activity teaches invaluable lessons to alcoholic/addict about themselves, establishing trust, taking responsibility and creating boundaries.

Initially, making this connection with the horse is not an easy process. By habit horses are acutely aware and creatures of flight. Those who have recently come down off of drugs or alcohol are not so aware. The horse, sensing this negative energy may not want to participate in the exercise until the individual makes that connection and establishes trust with the horse. A member of the Cirque Lodge experiential team works with the resident throughout this exercise and gives them guidance specifically when they ask for help.

Horses supply direct feedback no matter what takes place in the exercise. The honesty and purity of the equine program comes out when the alcoholic/addict can make that connection with the horse and establish a trust. The horse can trust the individual so much that they will literally follow and be alongside them without a lead rope. Establishing such a trust and honesty can carry over into actions with the drug addiction counselor, with family and importantly with self. In a lot of cases it does seem that the resident of the Cirque Lodge drug rehab facility gain exactly what they stand in need of from working with the horses. Many various struggles and problems have seemed to be therapeutically addressed through this unique aspect to addiction treatment.

A unique aspect to the Cirque Lodge alcohol treatment and drug rehab program is the extensive use of daily experiential activities. Effective alcohol and drug rehabilitation can require many approaches on many different levels to treat the illness of addiction and help with behavioral changes. To complement the clinical effort of alcohol and drug rehab treatment, Cirque Lodge uses a number of indoor and outdoor activities. These elements help to enhance the healing process and to build skills toward recovery. The mountains, nature, horses, a climbing course, an art room, and aspects of exercise are all used within this unique program.

Experiential work is founded on the 12-step program. Many aspects of experiential activity are centered on providing vital spiritual experiences. Such experiences can be had in many ways. It is the focus of such activities to create many opportunities to incur such an internal spiritual change. Residents can go for a hike into the local mountains near the Cirque Lodge and can be a part of the serenity there. The opportunity can be taken to discuss aspects of recovery, concepts from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, as well as other aspects of overcoming the struggles of drugs and alcohol. These beautiful mountain venues can also be used as places of meditation and connecting to a power greater than one’s own.

Experiential activities are also used to teach important lessons on recovery and the behavioral issues of alcoholism or drug addiction. Cirque Lodge’s ropes course is used to challenge the alcoholic/addict in many ways. These challenges of climbing and team building activities come with messages of learning and skill building. Residents also have the chance to work with horses in different capacities and can learn lessons about communication and establishing trust. Part of alcohol and drug rehabilitation is to develop skills and tools for relapse prevention. The effort of the experiential piece at Cirque Lodge also can help with the development of such skills. The advantage to experiential work is that the alcoholic/addict has the chance to work on and apply these skills through such activities prior to leaving treatment.

The experiential piece at the Cirque is an effective part to physical recovery from alcoholism and drug addiction. Years of substance abuse can do damage to the physical wellbeing of an individual. The experiential aspects of the Cirque Program provide many levels of exercise and activities that can be involved with physical recovery. Such activities can provide the resident with exercise according to the level they can handle. Some residents in extended drug rehab treatment at the Cirque show a remarkable improvement of their physical well-being over time. Individuals have shown a remarkable ability to recover from the struggles of alcoholism and drug addiction. The experiential program at Cirque Lodge can be an influential and enhancing aspect for the body, mind and spirit.