Outward Bound: Wilderness Drug Rehab Program

Substance abuse affects millions of Americans, with recent data showing that tens of millions of adults battle alcohol or drug abuse, requiring professional treatment. People facing addiction often deal with co-occurring challenges like mental health conditions, trauma, chronic pain, relationship problems, or employment difficulties that complicate their recovery.

Quality drug rehab programs help people overcome addiction’s negative effects while teaching how to manage triggers, cravings, and impulses. When exploring treatment options, alternative addiction treatment approaches are worth considering, especially if traditional programs haven’t worked or if you respond better to non-conventional therapies that use holistic healing, experiential activities, or other methods alongside evidence-based care.

What Is Outward Bound?

Outward Bound is a company which developed an alternative experience program based on outdoor education. It teaches a range of courses focused on survival skills, outdoor education, and life lessons. Outward Bound began as a school in Britain and has expanded to offer specialty programs to kids and adults facing significant challenges in life or seeking leadership development.

The wilderness therapy program for substance abuse issues includes wilderness expeditions and survival skills courses to encourage cognitive development, reflection, empowerment, and focus.

What Is A Wilderness Drug Rehab Program Like?

A wilderness drug rehab program is a form of alternative addiction treatment that allows those with addiction to remove themselves from the stress and pressure of daily life and immerse themselves in the outdoors. Those who enjoy spending time outdoors or physical activity may appreciate this approach. It encourages them to maintain their desired level of physical activity and allows them to enjoy an outlet for their passions.

Some people are reluctant to enroll in a rehab program as they fear isolation from enjoyable activities and social experiences for an extended period of time.

Wilderness therapy program participants can still receive medical care and are under the supervision of a medical professional as needed. However, they spend significant amounts of time outdoors and engaged in physical tasks. There are plenty of opportunities for socialization and group therapy. Yet outdoor drug rehab programs also allow program participants a lot of individual time for reflection and self-improvement.

Outward Bound Rehab Programs: Curriculum And Principles

Each of the programs offered through this wilderness education center target a specific individual or group. Those who seek Outward Bound may be struggling with addiction or looking for ways to empower themselves and develop tools to deal with life’s challenges.

The most common program and course offerings from Outward Bound include:

• Adult Wilderness Expeditions
• Intercept Expeditions for Families and Teens
• Veterans Expeditions
• Professionals Expeditions

Speaking with a program coordinator is the best way to make sure the potential participant’s needs match the program that they sign up for.

The main principles that the Outward Bound wilderness drug rehab program and all courses focus on include:

• leadership
• character
• service

Programs are available for friends and loved ones to help them heal from the pain and damage that addiction causes and find productive ways to move forward.

Ways To Pay For Outward Bound

Fortunately, there are options for individuals and their family members to pay for addiction treatment through alternative programs like Outward Bound with financial assistance or scholarships. More than 6,000 program participants receive some sort of scholarship or financial assistance to attend the program.

Grants may be available for certain individuals who are interested in attending Outward Bound wilderness education programs in conjunction with addiction treatment. In addition, those seeking a rehab program may have coverage through their health insurance plans.

Who Will Benefit From Wilderness Therapy?

Each individual’s substance abuse issues and recovery needs are different. For this reason, some people respond to alternative treatments, such as wilderness therapy, better than more traditional rehab approaches.

Also, some people may respond more effectively to a rehab program when they are removed from their regular surroundings. Remote surroundings allow for direct focus on their recovery. Spending time outdoors and away from the typical distractions of daily life can help the individual prioritize their recovery.

Seeking Addiction Treatment Through Outdoor Education Programs

Browse our directory or reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for more information about addiction recovery.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff