Idaho Equine Therapy Rehab Centers
Statistics show that nearly 7 percent of people in Idaho are struggling with substance abuse. Unfortunately, many of them also struggle with some form of mental illness. This is called a “dual diagnosis”, and it requires a very intensive and holistic set of treatment protocols that address both aspects of the patient’s struggle. Fortunately, one of the most promising of these treatment modalities is equine therapy.
What Is Equine Therapy?
As a way of treating an addiction inflamed by mental illness, equine therapy hits home. It was first developed as a therapy for people diagnosed with everything from developmental disabilities and eating disorders to anxiety and depression, and it was very successful at soothing these issues. Over the past few years, various substance abuse treatment programs have added equine therapy to their list of holistic, nurturing and targeted ways to help individuals with dual diagnoses to recover from an addiction and go on to lead better lives.
Equine therapy, in the company of a trained equine therapist at an addiction recovery center, helps patients learn how to care for and interact positively with horses. While that description seems simple enough, this guided interaction between the patient and the horse nurtures a great deal of positive growth within the person being treated. For example, many patients who have a dual diagnosis of mental health issues along with substance abuse problems have lost their ability to trust. They have also lost sight of who they are and what their goals are.
Working with a horse, at its core, is a trust-building exercise. The horse has no hidden agenda, while at the same time being a very effective, immediate mirror of the person’s emotions. These interactions, as the patient works with the horse, help a person learn to trust and get to know themselves better while they are getting to know the horse. Practitioners of equine therapy say that many people have had very positive, life-changing experiences with this form of therapy, especially combined with 12-Step programs and other forms of treatment.
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Addiction Treatment Centers In Idaho
There is currently only one known addiction recovery center in Idaho that integrates equine therapy into their treatment regimen for dual-diagnosis individuals. There may, however, be more centers collaborating with other resources to bring equine therapy to more people, particularly as the popularity of this form of therapy is growing in the Inter-mountain West. Idaho also boasts an impressive population of horses across its surprisingly beautiful and rugged Northern Rockies terrain, quiet desert vistas and sprawling range lands. The first center listed officially provides equine therapy among its offerings, while the others are located in regions where this service may be available in the future:
Get Help Today
If you live in Idaho and need help overcoming an addiction or know of someone that does, contact us at RehabCenter.net today for help finding an Idaho substance abuse treatment center that is right for you.
