What Is Play Therapy and How Can It Benefit Individuals in Addiction Recovery?
The iconic Swiss psychologist Carl Jung famously said, “The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct acting from inner necessity. A creative mind plays with the objects it loves.” This explanation is symbolic of the importance of “play” life. It is also why play therapy can be so beneficial for individuals in addiction recovery. Play therapy is just one of the many innovative modalities that can help one to recover from addiction at the cellular level.
What Does It Mean to Heal at the Cellular Level?
Healing at the cellular level is all about healing holistically. Now, when many people hear the word “holistic,” they automatically think of Eastern medicine and practices like yoga and meditation. While, yes, these types of healing methods are important, they are not what “holistic” solely means. “Holistic” simply means “whole.” So, to holistically heal thyself means to heal the whole self – the physical, mental, emotional, and even spiritual.
It is also important to understand that healing at the cellular level does not happen just because one chooses to recover. It requires proper support and guidance. This is why finding a recovery center that focuses on individualized and comprehensive addiction care is so important. The reality is that the addiction recovery industry has boomed to be worth multi-billions of dollars. While this is positive in that it can mean there are more places for people to go, it also means that there are more “bad actors” out there looking to put their financial bottom line over their clients’ well-being.
Here at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, we know that this type of addiction care is rarely effective. “One-note” recovery plans can only get someone so far in their journey, and long-term success should always be the goal. That is why all of our addiction recovery plans are individualized and comprehensive, with a focus on the future. We take recovery seriously.
Better Understanding Addiction
Millions of people struggle with addiction every day. This is true both in the United States and abroad. Yet, many people will never get the help that they need, which, unfortunately, leads to overdoses and overdose deaths. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) “IC Fact Sheet,” “40.3 million people in the United States had an SUD in 2020. In 2020, only 6.5 percent of people with SUD received treatment,” and, in 2021, “about 107,000 people died of drug overdoses.” Those numbers have only gotten worse since the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is also true that addiction still lies under the thumb of many stigmas. This includes the stigma that addiction is some type of moral failing or “choice.” Now, this is simply untrue. Addiction is a disease. It is now widely agreed upon in the medical and recovery fields that addiction is a chronic disease that has more in common with other chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes than it does with a choice. It is also true that addiction is a family disease. The family is often the most affected by addiction.
According to the peer-reviewed journal Social Work in Public Health, “The family remains the primary source of attachment, nurturing, and socialization for humans in our current society. Therefore, the impact of substance use disorders (SUDs) on the family and individual family members merits attention. Each family and each family member is uniquely affected by the individual using substances, including but not limited to having unmet developmental needs, impaired attachment, economic hardship, legal problems, emotional distress, and sometimes violence being perpetrated against him or her.” Some good news, however, is that family is often the first line of defense in getting their loved one the help that they need.
The Signs and Symptoms of Addiction
Now, of course, the signs and symptoms of addiction (and mental illness) are always going to vary based on the individual. However, one can look out for many universal signs and symptoms. The following are just a few of those signs and symptoms:
- Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
- Isolating away from family and close friends
- Loss of appetite and a lack of care regarding physical appearance and well-being
- Exhibiting excessive mood swings
- Feeling anxious, nervous, or overly “stressed out”
- Not being able to stop once starting drinking or using
- Experiencing trouble at work or school
- Having trouble with sleep cycles, including sleeping too much and not sleeping enough (hypersomnia and insomnia)
- Experiencing physical ailments such as headaches, body aches, and gastrointestinal problems
- Having feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and helplessness
- Causing harm to oneself or others
- Having suicidal ideations
Often, people minimize addiction and/or mental illness or even falsely categorize it as that previously mentioned “choice.” However, as one can see, these signs and symptoms are significant and can even be deadly. This is why reaching out for professional help as soon as possible is critical. Doing so could mean the difference between short-term side effects and long-term consequences. It is also important to find the right modalities that work for that particular individual, and they may not just be the most commonly used. For example, play therapy has been shown to be highly effective.
What Is Play Therapy?
Many people only think of play therapy in relation to children. This is simply untrue. Play therapy has been shown to be critical in helping adults recover from mental illness and addiction. But what exactly is play therapy? Play therapy is an experiential therapy that can incorporate many aspects of creative and physical outputs.
Play therapy generally falls under the umbrella of experiential therapy. This is because it focuses more on having lasting experiences than it does on one-on-one communication with a psychologist or therapist (though that can be a critical component of it). One recognized form of play therapy is also known as art therapy. Art therapy can include many different mediums. This includes painting, sculpting, dancing, journaling and creative writing, and collage.
Also, play therapy with art can be particularly beneficial for individuals with co-occurring disorders. According to the peer-reviewed journal Cureus, “Art therapy is used most commonly to treat mental illnesses and can aid in controlling manifestations correlated with psychosocially challenging behaviours, slowing cognitive decline, and enhancing the quality of life. [It] can help people express themselves more freely, improve their mental health, and improve interpersonal relationships. The basis of art therapy is established on the idea that people can recover and feel better via artistic expression.”
Some Benefits of Play Therapy
There are many benefits of play therapy. Of course, not everyone will experience the same benefits, but many are universal. The following are a few of those often experienced benefits:
- A greater feeling of accomplishment
- Improved mood
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Increased physical strength and stamina (depending on the modality)
- Reduced cravings
- Lowered risk of relapse
- A greater sense of spiritual balance and wellness
- Improved relationship skills
- Better sleep cycles
- Reduced feelings of hopelessness and helplessness
- Less mood swings
- Renewed interest in activities once enjoyed
- Better outcomes at work and school
As one can see, the benefits of play therapy are promising and highly sought after in recovery. The good news is that anyone can experience these benefits if they truly commit to a program of play therapy. Also, there are various types of play therapy that can fit anyone’s preferences. For example, there are play therapies that are ideal for people who love the outdoors.
Utilizing Play Therapy in Different Settings
Being in nature is a great opportunity to engage in healthy play. Also, it has been shown that simply being in nature can help one to feel better and have a better outlook. According to the U.S. National Park Service, “5 minutes walking in nature improves mood, self-esteem, and relaxation. Frequent exposure to nature reduces anxiety and depression while promoting a sense of well-being and fulfillment. Physical activity in a green space can reduce stress and lower cortisol levels by 15%.” Nature immersion therapy is another category that play therapy often falls under.
Now, nature immersion therapy has been shown to have its own set of benefits in addition to the ones previously mentioned. According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, “Besides improvements to physical and psychological well-being, exposure to natural environments has been shown to bring about positive impacts on cognitive functioning…. While cognitive restoration and physiological well-being are the prominent and renowned benefits of nature exposure, there is one important construct that is often overlooked in environmental psychology research studies – that is, the human-nature relationship, also known as connectedness to nature (CN).” This “connectedness to nature” can also be felt out on the ocean while engaging in surf therapy.
Play Therapy as Surf Therapy
Many people may not be aware that some of the best surfing in the world happens on the Hamakua Coast of Hawaii’s Big Island. But it’s true. The good news is that a mere 15-minute journey from our luxury 30-acre property at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab sits one of the best surf breaks on the island. Here, one can catch some of the best waves that the Pacific Ocean has to offer while also meditating between rides.
Surf therapy has been shown to offer a myriad of benefits for individuals struggling with addiction. According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, “Carefully planned water activities tailored to the needs of the individual can contribute to correct psychosocial and cognitive development. The International Surf Therapy Organization summarizes the benefits of adequately indicated surf therapy as follows: improved physical health and mobility; improved mental health, including reduction of specific symptoms, such as posttraumatic stress and depression; improved well-being (strengthening of trust and confidence, encouragement of independence, resilience and protective coping strategies) and improved social skills.” Another form of play therapy can happen while cultivating the Earth with one’s own hands.
Play Therapy as Horticulture Therapy
When one steps onto Exclusive Hawaii Rehab’s luxury 30-acre property, one will see some of the most amazing local fruits and vegetables growing all over its lush, sun-soaked landscape. This includes amazing citrus and coconut trees, guava bushes and pineapple patches, and bursting vegetable boxes. Many of these fruits and vegetables have been tended to by clients engaging in playful horticulture therapy.
The benefits of horticulture therapy are vast and varied. According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, “People’s interactions with plants, through goal-orientated horticultural activities in the form of active gardening, as well as the passive appreciation of nature, could be therapeutic to people with mental disorders in many ways. First, horticulture could have emotional benefits, such as reducing stress, reducing psychiatric symptoms, stabilizing mood, and increasing the sense of tranquility, spirituality, and enjoyment. Second, it could help people to reduce fatigue and restore attention and cognitive ability.” It has also been shown to help with one’s self-esteem and overall quality of life.
Play Therapy and Psychotherapy
It should also be noted that play therapy should not fully replace traditional “evidence-based” therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Play therapy often helps these traditional therapies be more effective. One of the reasons is that play therapy can help people be more participatory in therapies like CBT.
CBT can be particularly effective because the individuals engaged with it become more “active participants” in their own recovery. According to the peer-reviewed journal Cognitive Therapy and Research, “Consistent with the medical model of psychiatry, the overall goal of treatment is symptom reduction, improvement in functioning, and remission of the disorder. In order to achieve this goal, the patient becomes an active participant in a collaborative problem-solving process to test and challenge the validity of maladaptive cognitions and to modify maladaptive behavioral patterns…. Although these strategies greatly emphasize cognitive factors, physiological, emotional, and behavioral components are also recognized for the role that they play in the maintenance of the disorder.”
Play therapy also works well with holistic healing methods like yoga and meditation. This is because they can be very open and inviting practices.
Utilizing Play Therapy With Yoga
Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years. Initially, it was solely used for religious or spiritual purposes, but it has since moved into the realm of recovery. Yoga also offers an opportunity to engage in very playful practices and activities.
The benefits of yoga for recovery cannot be overstated. According to the International Journal of Yoga (IJOY), “Therapeutic yoga is defined as the application of yoga postures and practice to the treatment of health conditions. Yoga therapy involves instruction in yogic practices and teachings to prevent, reduce, or alleviate structural, physiological, emotional, and spiritual pain, suffering, or limitations. Yogic practices enhance muscular strength and body flexibility; promote and improve respiratory and cardiovascular function; promote recovery from and treatment of addiction; reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain; improve sleep patterns; and enhance overall well-being and quality of life.”
The key to healing at the cellular level is to find the right combination of means, methods, and modalities that work for the individual. Also, as has been discussed, getting better should include joy and excitement, which is why play therapy can be so critical for recovery.
Healing at the Cellular Level With Exclusive Hawaii Rehab
Here at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, we believe in long-term success over short-term “fixes.” This is why we utilize traditional therapies like CBT and DBT as well as innovative modalities like play therapy.
Carl Jung also famously said, “The most intense conflicts, if overcome, leave behind a sense of security and calm that is not easily disturbed. It is just these intense conflicts and their conflagration which are needed to produce valuable and lasting results.” At Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, one’s struggles with addiction can truly be overcome once and for all.
Recovery is out there. It’s time to go and get it!
Play therapy utilizes creative expression and play as a therapeutic tool to help individuals process emotions and experiences related to addiction. This innovative approach can resonate with people of all ages, making it particularly effective for those who may struggle to articulate their feelings, ultimately fostering healing and connection through imaginative exploration. If you feel like you or a loved one is struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or co-occurring disorders, we can help get you on the right road to recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. For more information about the benefits of play therapy, please reach out to Exclusive Hawaii Rehab today at (808) 775-0200.