Drug Rehab Blog

The Cirque Lodge horse program provides a unique and effective lesson for those in alcohol or drug rehab. Horses are perfectly honest and provide direct feedback. They hold no personal ill will towards anyone, but the horse must trust the individual before they will work with them. After this trust is established, the horse becomes partners with the alcoholic/addict, even protective of them. The process of gaining the trust of this horse is part of the exercise. For some in drug rehab, this is a real challenge.

Gaining the trust of the horse can take great patience. The alcoholic/addict is usually use to immediate gratification. When they have to work to gain the trust of the horse, the frustration can set in. Horses are acutely aware and can sense the individual’s intentions. Some residents try to impose their will on the horse and blame the horse for not cooperating. This is met with the horse fleeing from the situation entirely and the process starting all over again. It is only when the individual realizes the issue is with themselves and not with the horse that the exercise begins to unfold.

The equine experience completely changes when a connection is made between the drug rehab resident and the horse they are working with. To both parties, this can be a powerful connection. For some this connection only comes when they realize they are powerless and ask for help. Others find this connection when the horse is willing to submit to commands and follow without a lead rope. Many residents are struggling in individual ways when they work with the horse. It seems from this exercise the gain what they stand in need of.

The experiential program at Cirque Lodge is a unique aspect to our alcoholism and drug rehab facility. This program takes different activities, challenges and venues and uses them as lessons on recovery over addiction. The individual can take the experiences and lessons learned and apply them to life in many ways. There are many different venues for such activities at the Cirque. One such venue is within a remote mountain place. The only way to get to this location is by air, with the Cirque Lodge Helicopter.

Cirque Lodge has an EC-130 Eurocopter that is used specifically for the residents. This safe and comfortable flying machine is used to take residents on private mountain tours of the local surround. The visual wonders of this area take on a whole new life with very different prospective of a helicopter cockpit. The culminating point of this mountain flight is landing on a remote mountain ridge. Residents can do a bit of hiking, or they can just find a quite location to meditate.

The helicopter is used in conjunction with residents who are working on their 3rd step of recovery. This step involves turning over ones will (and addiction struggles) to a higher power. At Cirque, the mountain is used as a venue for establishing connections to a power greater than ones own. Time is granted on this remote mountain ridge to do some soul searching and connecting. Many promises are left upon the mountain. They are promises of recovery and a chance at a new found way of life. Residents of Cirque Lodge have taken the opportunity to write down these messages on rocks that are placed in a pile. Future residents can see these messages for themselves and take these experiences to heart.

Cirque Lodge provides a number of different experiential activities for those in drug rehab. The warmer weather means the opportunity for a number of mountain based recovery activities. Each day, a different experiential learning activity is provided the residents of our drug rehab program. These experiences have many different purposes and the mountain is used in many capacities. Different hiking, biking, fishing, river rafting, and rock climbing activities are all used as a part of this unique mountain experience.

The mountain is also a place for spiritual answers for alcoholism and drug addiction as well. The mountain is a spiritual place and residents can use this venue for connecting to a power greater than their own. An experiential activity in the mountain can be capped of with a chance to meditate and a 12-step message from one of the experiential staff. These fun activities also provide a fun alternative to the destructive behaviors that come from alcoholism or drug addiction. They can help to replace the despair with the joys of living life.

A lot goes into the alcohol and drug rehab program at Cirque Lodge. It is the combination of traditional programs, effective therapies and experiential activities that has helped so many find a lasting and meaningful sobriety. If there is someone in your life who is struggling with drinking or the use of drugs, time in the mountains can provide solutions. There is serenity and healing here that can not be described, and the residents of Cirque Lodge have many hands on experiences with these serene mountain places.

Not all parts of Cirque Lodge’s indoor ropes course are high climbing elements. Some ropes activities take place on the floor of the giant 17,000 foot sound stage that houses the climbing and challenge course. These low ropes activities are intended to challenge some of the cognitive functions that are affected by alcoholism or addiction. Simple things like logs, bricks, ropes, tires and boards are all used to challenge individuals with problem solving exercises. Some require the support and help of the group to accomplish the task.

Part of this process is to get the individual to ask for help in some way. This can also help the individual in recognizing whether they take the lead in these problems or are better as someone who takes instruction. Through a difficult process, the group can get from point ‘A’ to point ‘B’ and can accomplish the task at hand with help and support. These activities are usually completed with a sit down discussion. Residents can discuss what they learned from the exercise, and how it applies to the recovery process. The balance of exercises with Cirque’s experiential program provides a very effective learning experience.

Today the Cirque Lodge helicopter was used as a part of the experiential program. The weather was nice and it was ideal for taking residents on a private flight.  The helicopter flight is a unique piece to alcohol and drug rehab at Cirque Lodge. Residents who are working on their 3rd step of recovery are given a chance to take a trip into the mountains within this luxury flying machine. Nature and the beautiful landscape are seen from an entirely different point of view.

The 3rd step focuses on turning one’s will over to a higher power. At Cirque, the mountain is used as a safe haven for making connection to a power greater than one’s own. The Cirque helicopter lands upon a remote ridge in the mountains and residents are given some time to themselves for meditation and spiritual connections. It can be quite the process to turn a will over to a higher power. One can need spiritual experiences and an internal change to accomplish such a thing. At Cirque Lodge, activities like the helicopter flights and excursions into the mountains strive to provide such experiences.

A top this mountain peak, residents are encouraged to leave a promise or message. They take markers and pens and leave these promises on the stones of the mountain. In the beginning the stones were piled into a small cairn.  With the expansion and growth of the Cirque drug rehab program, the stone cairn of promises has become quite the impressive mound. Some leave messages of hope for themselves, their higher power or a loved one. Some are humorous, some are serious, but all have intended messages of recovery. It is the combination of these unique things with the traditional parts of addiction treatment that makes the Cirque such an engaging recovery program.

The ropes course at Cirque Lodge rests inside a 17,000 sq. ft. sound stage. There are two large wooden tripods that extend to the heights of massive room. Between these tripods are a series of challenges and climbing elements. The ropes course is used as an aspect to Cirque’s experiential program. Those in drug rehab learn skills for recovery through these hands on experiences and challenges. The high ropes elements can be used as tools in conquering personal fears and asking for help and support.

The experiential staff works with clients through all aspects of these high rope elements. The staff is trained, certified and very experienced in working with clients on the ropes course. The experiential team also provides different cognitive and 12-step lessons as aspects to high ropes challenges. It enhances the experience and keeps the challenge centered on elements of recovery. Some of the high ropes challenges are a team based activity. Residents must work together to accomplish a feat. Once again, the building of support is a learning point within this challenge.

High ropes also come with fun and exhilarating activities. There is a zip line that descends to the floor of the soundstage. After completing a climbing challenge, the finale is a zip line ride back down. The ropes course also has a giant swing suspended from the 40 ft. ceiling. Residents use pulleys to raise the individual to the high point they fill comfortable with. It is then up to the individual to release the swing that sends them flying across the ropes course. The course is fun and instructional. It is regularly inspected to maintain the most effective and safe experience for clients.

One of the unique experiential pieces to Cirque Lodge is our horse program. This is a very unique and intimate activity for those in alcohol or drug rehab. Other elements of experiential learning use a group and provide a different challenge for a number of people. The equine program pits one individual, one horse, and one of our equine staff in the activity. The resident must overcome their typical addictive mindsets, reactions and behaviors to work with the horse and gain its trust. This process can establish a strong bond and teach needed lessons for recovery.

Gaining the trust of the horse can be quite the process. The addict/alcoholic can become frustrated with the horse at first. A member of our equine staff is on scene to help them, but only to a certain extent. In this way the individual can fully gain the benefits of the exercise. Horses are keen animals and may not be willing to submit initially to the individual. The exercise takes on a whole new meaning when a bond is established and trust is formed.

The horse program is a unique opportunity. Residents are not always working with the horses. They have the chance to participate in equine therapy a small number of times while they are in treatment. This helps with the sheer magnitude of this activity. It always seems that no matter the struggles, or personal situations the alcoholic/addict is dealing with, they gain exactly what they stand in need of from the horse exercise. Some residents even use part of their free time to go out to the fence and be close to the horses. This is just one of the many unique experiences and opportunities found at the Cirque. Such opportunities can provide solutions for the struggles of alcoholism or drug addiction.

Spring is beginning to show itself here at Cirque Lodge. With spring comes a whole new array of fun and enjoyable experiential activities. These activities provide an avenue for replacing the cravings that is brought on by substance abuse. Things like working in a garden, going for a mountain bike ride, or hike in the canyon can all provide positive lessons for recovery. At the Cirque, we use these activities every day of treatment to provide a unique approach to the recovery process; one that can promote the healing of body, mind and spirit.

These activities are both challenging and enjoyable. Many of them also provide important lessons on behavior and on the 12-step program. Quiet spots are used in mountain environments to connect to one’s higher power. These activities also teach the invaluable lessons on having fun and enjoying sobriety. The mind of the alcoholic/addict can get to the point where they think they need to be high to enjoy themselves. Experiential activities introduce healthy and healing ways to enjoy life once again without this need.

There is something to be said about this beautiful mountain environment. Before this area was settled, the Native Americans of this region viewed these mountains as a sacred place; a place for healing. Those who are suffering and struggling with alcohol or drug addiction can find a healing for themselves within these mountain places. We take full advantage of this environment with experiential activities. Residents are given a number of opportunities to get onto the mountain and experience this power for themselves.

This morning, the Cirque Lodge helicopter made a typical landing at the Studio facility. Residents who have been within the drug rehab program for awhile are invited to take part in a private helicopter flight around the surrounding areas of the Cirque. Usually, it is residents who are working on their 3rd step of recovery; making the decision to turn ones will and life over to the care of a higher power. Nature is an ideal backdrop for making such a connection and turning over ones will.

In the helicopter, residents see this beautiful area from an entirely different vantage point. The snow of the high mountains, wildlife, and even the local ski resorts are all seen from the sky. Cirque Lodge’s EC-130 Eurocopter is a soft and safe ride. It is considered a luxury flying machine, and residents are in the care of a very experienced pilot. The activity takes residents of Cirque Lodge over many different places and comes to its zenith on a remote mountain ridge. Here residents can hike around, or just find a quiet spot for some meditation.

On this mountain peak residents are encouraged to leave a message. These messages are left on the rocks and stones of this mountain and piled on top of a cairn. Messages are left for family members, a higher power, and some are personal messages. In the beginning, this was a small cairn made up of not many rocks. As the Cirque Lodge program continues to thrive, the cairn has evolved into quite the massive mound.  The sheer number of stones is a message of hope and recovery. Not just for those who will eventually come to that mountain as a part of drug rehab, but for those of us who work to provide them care each day.

It is very difficult to put into words the effectiveness and the dynamics of the experiential program at the Cirque. To balance out the more intensive elements of alcohol and drug rehab, the experiential program provides a fun and unique way of learning. It also provides a profound way to teach lessons of recovery. Instead of sitting in a group room, the alcoholic/addict develops skills on a ropes course, or by working with horses, or with excursions into nature.

Each day provides a different challenge or opportunity with experiential learning activities. On a certain day the resident can be working in the art room creating pottery.  The next day they can be challenged with an activity that requires them to use the thought processes affected by substance abuse. Our experiential team is constantly coming up with new ways for individuals to develop skills for recovery. Balanced with the clinical forms of addiction treatment, these skills can be a foundation for long term sobriety. 

Experiential activities also provide the recovering alcoholic/addict with a fun approach to rehab. The intensive elements of treatment can be very taxing on an individual. Dealing with the daily therapies and programs can be demanding. Experiential activities provide the individual with a release from these things and a new way to learn recovery. Enjoying recovery can make all the difference. At Cirque Lodge, we strive to provide experiential learning activities that can be utilized as a foundation for a life free from the struggles of addiction.