Experiential Learning in Drug Rehab
When Cirque Lodge was established, one of the distinct differences it had from other programs was its emphasis on activities. These experiential activities would become an integral element of the drug rehab program. Clients of Cirque Lodge engage in daily experiential learning activities as a part of their clinical therapy. These activities include many outdoor things like hiking, mountain biking, and fly fishing. The experiential program expanded with the Studio facility. This massive facility provided venues for indoor activities and a permanent home for Cirque’s equine experiential program.
People learn in different ways. Experiential learning provides an avenue for learning through action. At Cirque Lodge, experiential activities are cognitively based. With this, the client can learn imperative lessons that are similar parallels to overcoming addiction. The lessons can help them in building the skills needed to successfully overcome drugs or drink. They are taught through activities that can help them build needed confidence from within.
Experiential activities also provide elements of enjoyment for the program. Getting off of addictive substances is tough. Dealing with some of the problems that are brought up in therapy can be hard. A daily experiential activity can provide a needed release from the more rigorous elements of alcohol or drug treatment. It gives the addict in recovery a chance to enjoy surrounding nature, and to think about things. It is a balance of these activities and effective therapies that has pushed Cirque Lodge to the forefront of the addiction treatment community.