While achieving lifelong sobriety is one goal of residential treatment, learning how to live as your authentic self is the foundation of this. At Hope Lodge, healing is holistic and immersive. We incorporate adventure and recreational therapy into our treatment approach, offering clients the opportunity to experience the rejuvenating power of nature.
With idyllic, discreet locations in Costa Mesa and Lake Arrowhead, Hope Lodge provides an ideal setting for reconnecting with the outdoors, finding inner peace, and rediscovering what it means to enjoy life without drugs or alcohol.
What Is Nature Therapy?
Nature therapy – also known as ecotherapy or adventure therapy – is a form of experiential treatment that takes place outdoors. It blends the benefits of physical activity, exposure to natural settings, and therapeutic reflection to support emotional and behavioral healing.
Nature therapy can include a wide range of activities, such as:
- Hiking and camping
- Meditation
- Team-based adventure challenges
- Kayaking
- Yoga
Supplementing what you learn in a clinical setting, nature therapy invites you to engage all five of your senses, face your fears, and build confidence through real-world experiences.
Why Nature Therapy Helps in Addiction Recovery
Substance abuse often disconnects people from themselves and the world around them. Nature therapy puts you back in touch with yourself and shows you that a fulfilling, joyful life is within your reach.
- Reducing stress and anxiety: Spending time outdoors can lower your cortisol levels and improve your mood.
- Promoting mindfulness: Being outside encourages present-moment awareness, which helps regulate emotions and reduce impulsivity.
- Fostering physical well-being: Movement and fresh air can heal your body and boost your energy levels.
- Building resilience: Outdoor activities develop problem-solving, perseverance, and teamwork – valuable life skills.
- Reintroducing joy: Learning how to have fun and create positive memories without drugs and alcohol is essential for long-term sobriety.
The Importance of Environment in Recovery
Entering residential treatment is a profound life choice. The setting you surround yourself with should be conducive to healing, reflection, and rediscovering your purpose. Hope Lodge proudly offers two distinct, nature-rich locations that provide the perfect backdrop for recovery.
- Costa Mesa: Nestled near California’s coastline, our Costa Mesa facility offers a restorative environment with access to beaches, parks, and open skies. The peaceful rhythm of the ocean and the temperate climate create an ideal setting for outdoor activities, beach walks, and therapeutic reflection.
- Lake Arrowhead: Our Lake Arrowhead location provides a scenic, wooded escape from the chaos of daily life. Surrounded by pine forests, lakes, and hiking trails, clients can reconnect with nature’s stillness and embrace the quiet strength that comes from time in the mountains.
In both locations, nature becomes a co-therapist – calming your nervous system, sparking curiosity, and helping you ground yourself in the present moment.
Nature therapy at Hope Lodge also includes adventure-based programming, which reinforces critical life skills like teamwork, decision-making, effective communication, healthy risk-taking, and problem-solving. It’s no coincidence that these are the same skills you need to stay sober and thrive in life after treatment.
Discover a New Way to Heal at Hope Lodge
We believe in nature’s healing power and the importance of fully engaging in recovery. Whether you’re new to treatment or seeking to reignite your commitment to sobriety, our nature therapy offerings provide the ideal setting for transformation.
We offer same-day admissions, accept many forms of insurance, and provide a compassionate, personalized treatment experience that empowers you to move forward with clarity and purpose. Contact us today to learn more about how our nature therapy programs can help you fall in love with life again.