Ohio Equine Addiction Therapy Program

The connection between humans and animals has been well documented throughout the annals of history. For thousands of years, people all over the world have relied on animals for companionship, assistance, and protection. Animals are highly sensitive and perceptive and seem to have an almost sixth sense when it comes to humans and their emotions. Animals also have a naturally accepting nature that many people find soothing.

They have been proven to help reduce stress and anxiety with one simple touch. Our brains release endorphins when we see an adorable animal, giving us a blast of joy and feelings of wellbeing. Animals and humans have a deep-rooted bond that has remained unbreakable for thousands of years. Incorporating this bond into addiction therapy has proven successful and is now being integrated into many rehab centers in Ohio.

The unconditional acceptance that animals offer has a way of putting people at ease. People who have a difficult time opening up and trusting others often find themselves much more relaxed when animals are present. This helps breaks down that invisible wall that many addicts and alcoholics have built and keep up. Many drug treatment centers are recognizing this fact and are adopting equine therapy programs.

If you are looking for an Ohio equine addiction therapy program, call Ohio Addiction Recovery Center today at 800-481-8457 to learn more. A specialist is standing by ready to answer any questions you might have. We can help you get approved for our rehab center or assist you in locating one that matches your specific needs. Calls and referrals are free of charge and totally confidential.

Disclaimer: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our inpatient program has paused equine therapy. OARC is dedicated to keeping clients and staff safe & healthy. For that reason, excursions outside of the facility will wait to resume until local and federal guidance suggest it is safe do so.

What is Equine Addiction Therapy in Ohio?

Simply defined, an Ohio equine addiction therapy program uses horses in a therapy-based treatment setting. The use of this type of therapy allows clients to experience emotional growth and personal development. Along with other forms of animal-centered therapies, Ohio equine therapy programs for addiction have been effective in a variety of treatment scenarios for children, adolescents, and adults. Individuals who participate in equine therapy while recovering from a drug or alcohol addiction often experience several life-changing benefits and working with horses can be seen as a complementary part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

As stated previously, an Ohio equine addiction therapy program is especially useful in treating people who have not shown improvement with other types of drug rehab treatment, such as therapy or counseling. Those who are uncomfortable around peers will often come out of their shell when animals are present. As they continue to bond with those animals, that shell will soon shed away. Once this occurs they will soon thrive in the group and individual therapy sessions.

How Ohio Addiction Recovery Center’s Equine Therapy Program Works

Horses offer unique opportunities for emotional growth because they have the uncanny ability to precisely mirror what human body language is communicating to them. In general, we are able to hide our feelings pretty well from those around us, and this is especially true with those addicted to drugs and alcohol. Horses are extremely honest creatures that are able to mirror emotions and attitudes and are able to see us at face value and they understand at the deepest levels who we really are as human beings. This provides a unique opportunity for our clients who decide to take part in our Ohio equine addiction therapy program to understand how their behaviors affect themselves and others as well as develop new ways of thinking about old behavior patterns.

During equine therapy sessions, clients interact with a horse in a series of exercises carefully designed to develop and enhance verbal and non-verbal communication, problem-solving, leadership, creative thinking, relationship skills, trust, confidence, and responsibility. With equine therapy, the addict develops a relationship with the horse while tending to its basic needs. With time a strong bond will be established between the client and the horses.

The horse’s needs include feeding, grooming, and exercise. Learning to saddle the horse may also part of the process, but is typically done once the client and the horse becoming more comfortable with each other. As with many similar programs, our Ohio equine therapy programs do not always include riding. This is because many of the horses used in equine therapy are either too old for regular riding or have suffered injuries that render them unrideable. For more information about our equine therapy program and the farm which we attend contact us today 800-481-8457.

The Benefits of Our Ohio Equine Addiction Therapy Program

Ohio Addiction Recovery Center utilizes equine therapy because it provides addicts with a number of benefits that traditional counseling and therapy alone cannot provide. For example, equine therapy helps addicts to replace those unhealthy and destructive habits that led to and perpetuated their addiction. Addicts who take part in our equine therapy program will learn to take responsibility and maintain a regular schedule; something that is often lost when one is in active addiction. Combined with therapy and counseling, this will help encourage and empower clients to examine the choices they make now and in the future.

Our equine addiction therapy program in Ohio helps improve an addict’s self-worth and self-esteem. Many of those who struggle with substance abuse will experience significant feelings of inadequacy and diminished self-confidence. By working with horses in a structured therapy setting, it can help boost an individual’s sense of confidence and dignity. Being able to take these new tools and emotions and applying them in daily life will help one improve their overall quality of sobriety and life.

Additionally, working with horses also teaches addicts how to be more effective in managing their behaviors. Addiction is frequently accompanied by aggressive or violent tendencies or behaviors. These behaviors often end up endangering the patient, as well as his or her loved ones. As addicts learn to communicate with and care for the horse, they begin to understand how the horse reacts to their moods and attitudes. The horse’s reaction to the addict’s behavior helps them distinguish between hurtful or harmful behaviors and acceptable ways of asserting themselves.

Call Ohio Addiction Recovery Center and Get The Help You Need Today

Alternative and emerging therapies like equine therapy can provide the breakthrough you need to get and stay sober. With our Ohio equine addiction therapy program, you will address the underlying causes of your addiction and emerge as a new person ready to live in a healthy and happy life in recovery. Call us today at 800-481-8457. An addiction specialist is always standing by reading to answer any questions you might have. We will help you get approved for our rehab facility or for another one that best fits your individual needs. All calls to our office are free of charge and completely confidential.

The first step toward a better life is admitting that there is an issue. Once you have identified the problem, it is time to do something about it. Please, do not try to do this alone. Anyone struggling with substance abuse will increase their chance of long-term success when they enter an addiction treatment program in Ohio. A better life is possible, start your journey to a happy life, free from harmful substances.

Our staff will help you navigate the road to recovery. From one on one therapy sessions to group meetings, cognitive-behavioral therapies, and equine therapy; we will give you an amazing opportunity to achieve a new life. Calls are free of charge and 100% confidential.