This group resorts to alcohol or drugs to buffer the emotional roller coaster
they are riding. Sure, many of us take a drink now and then to unwind, but for
some it becomes an addiction. Nobody wants to become an addict; it is not a
conscious choice we make. Addiction creeps up on you and before you
realize it, you cant make it through the day without alcohol or drugs. In our
minds, it is easy to justify our addiction by simply stating, "I can stop at any
time." Unfortunately, that doesnt happen, in fact once it is realized that you
may have a problem, the indulgence has become dependence.
Addiction and substance abuse can inflict a tremendous amount of suffering,
not only on the individual, but also on their family and friends. Substance and
alcohol addictions have been diagnosed as a disease and are treatable.
There are many avenues to choose when seeking treatment, but the most
effective choice is to go to an accredited treatment center. Some treatment
centers, such as CirqueLodge.com, in Sundance Utah, are enlisting the aid of
equine therapy in their treatment program.
What is equine therapy? Equine therapy originally started as a program that
involved the use of horses in riding therapeutically for individuals with physical
disabilities. The horseback riding experience provided the rider with a gentle
rhythm similar to the human gait; this often helped improve muscle strength,
flexibility and balance. It has also been found that individuals with mental or
emotional disabilities can benefit from interactions with horses. The individual
forms a relationship with the horse that can help build their confidence,
patience, and self-esteem.
The North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) was
formed for the purpose to promote safe, professional, and therapeutic equine
activities through education and research, for people with and without
disabilities. Many of us are familiar with this association; we have seen it in
the news and in printed articles. Through the success of their programs, there
was a need to form a new addition to the association, the Equine Facilitated
Mental Health Association (EFMHA).
This EFMHA was formed for the purpose of promoting, and educating others
or clinical professionals, to work with horses. They also set the standards of
horse knowledge, that pertain directly to Equine Facilitated Mental Health
programs. One program that has been developed, and is ever evolving, is
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP), is a fairly new field, and still in the
experimental stages. Individuals learn about themselves by interacting in a
series of specially designed activities with horses. EAP is not about riding
horses. Its about therapeutic activities that take place on the ground under the
guidance of a licensed psychologist and an equine specialist. The therapy on
horses usually is without the use of bridles or saddles. These activities
promote beneficial therapeutic healing and growth, by teaching the individual
how to deal, and learn about their own emotions. It helps people increase
awareness as to how their emotions affect others and their daily lives.
Why are horses used and not other animals? Horses are very social animals.
They have distinct personalities and temperaments. They mirror exactly what
human body language is telling them by reacting immediately to signals you
may not realize you are sending. Horses are large and powerful, and their
size can be intimidating to many people. Participating in an activity with a
horse, in spite of their size and presence, can build confidence.
One method used in EAP; a halter is handed to a participant and the individual
is then instructed go into an arena and catch a horse. Depending on the
approach, the horse may back away, run, or allow the individual to place the
halter over its head. It can be an easy task, or a very daunting task, it is all in
how the horse interprets the participants body language. They may give up
and walk away, because it appears to be impossible, or they try a variety of
methods until they are able to approach the horse and place the halter over its
head. It makes the participant stand back and access the situation. Many
times it requires more than one session to accomplish this activity. Each time
the individual feels like giving up, the question can be asked; how could this
simple activity be compared to how people approach each other, and what
are the signals your body language sends?
Another method, the participant is asked to go out into an arena without a
halter, and asked to get the horse to move through a series of obstacles. This
activity usually takes several sessions. If the participant is disrespectful to the
horse, such as inappropriate touching or loud noises, this makes the horse
fearful. When the participant makes a conscious effort, and considers what
affect they are having on the horse, rather than just making demands, the
horse begins to cooperate. The horse is beginning to trust and respect you.
Trust and respect are earned with horses, much the same way as gaining trust
and respect from people.
There is much subjective evidence on the positive therapeutic benefits of
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, especially in the area of transferable social
and learning skills. Depending on how the participant initially approached the
horse, and by eventually learning to provide clear direction to the animal, in a
calm manner, this therapy allows the participant immediate feedback, which
can be discussed between the participant and a trained professional. Equine
Assisted Therapy provides the individual with immediate opportunities to be
aware of inappropriate behaviors, feelings and attitudes, and opens the doors
to discuss a way to correct them. It is clear that Equine Assisted
Psychotherapy does provide many benefits by allowing people to discover
new ways of dealing with and overcoming problems. It is highly
recommended to seek assistance from an accredited facility for the treatment
of alcohol or substance abuse addictions. An inpatient experience at a
treatment center has many advantages, allowing the individual to address
their personal issues without the distractions of daily life. |
