Ocean Therapy for Addiction

Evidence-based and holistic treatments, like cognitive and dialectic behavioral therapy and ocean therapy, are commonly used during recovery. Treatments like ocean therapy can help improve your ability to manage stress and provide you with a healthy coping strategy during recovery.

Tens of millions of Americans struggle with a substance abuse or mental health disorder. Roughly 1 out of every 7 Americans ages 12 and older meet the criteria for a substance abuse disorder, while more than 20% of adults experience mental health disorder symptoms each year. Mental health and substance abuse disorders are both chronic conditions, meaning that they are incurable. However, with proper treatment, you can learn how to successfully manage your symptoms.

Addiction

Addiction is a chronic mental health disease that impacts your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Drugs and alcohol are neurotransmitter inhibitors, which cause your brain to release more neurotransmitters than it normally would. Your brain’s pleasure and reward center connects drugs and alcohol with pleasure and begins to reward drug and alcohol use and punish abstinence. Over time, your brain can become dependent on drugs and alcohol in order to release neurotransmitters and need substance abuse treatment.

You can also deal with powerful and intense cravings whenever the effects of your substance of choice wear off. Cravings are especially burdensome when you are exposed to triggers, which are people, places or things that remind you of your substance of choice. Drugs and alcohol can be both physically and psychologically addictive. Once you are addicted to drugs or alcohol, you can have withdrawal symptoms that make it hard to remain clean and sober. Additionally, your brain chemistry changes and impacts your decision-making processes. This means that you are more inclined to make poor decisions when you suffer from an addiction.

Common signs and symptoms of addiction include:

• Feeling guilt, shame or remorse about your drug or alcohol use
• Concealing, hiding or lying about your drug or alcohol use
• Spending the majority of your time and/or money using or buying drugs or alcohol
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you immediately stop using
• Needing to increase your drug and alcohol use in order to feel the same pleasurable effects

What is Ocean Therapy?

Ocean therapy is a type of treatment that utilizes water activities to improve your ability to heal from substance abuse or mental health disorders. Ocean therapy for addiction can include:

• Ocean healing therapy
• Surfing
• Watersports

Ocean therapy is also an excellent way to develop interests in new, healthy activities. During ocean therapy, you may discover how fun some of the activities are and find a new hobby. Another benefit of ocean therapy is that you can participate in the same activities following treatment. This allows you to add a new coping tool to your recovery toolbox.

Finding Help Today

If you or a loved one is battling a substance abuse disorder and is ready to regain control of your life, reaching out to an inpatient drug and alcohol treatment center in Florida at 866.605.0532 is the best way to begin your recovery journey. Rehabs utilize techniques like individual counseling and ocean therapy to ensure you have the support, guidance, and understanding you need to recover.