Medicine Walks & Hikes at Hawaii Island Recovery
Medicine walks and hikes make up a large portion of our Experiential Programming and are a significant part of the treatment and patient experience at Hawaii Island Recovery, along with other healing modalities and treatment programs. Our medicine walks and hikes are a type of therapeutic group, yet individual, modality that engages patients in nature-based hikes and integrates learning about Hawaiian culture along with space for conscious reflection and exploration.
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How Do Medicine Walks & Hikes Help With Substance Use Recovery?
Medicine walks and hikes create space for patients to gain nature-based experiences and connections. Being in nature is proven to be a powerful way to connect to one’s self and environment, which can lead to nurturing long-term sobriety and recovery from substance use and mental health disorders. Because of the link between being in nature and its impact has on healing, this is a significant and unique part of the healing experience at Hawaii Island Recovery as individuals are surrounded by the abundant nature on the Big Island of Hawaii.
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What Can I Expect on a Medicine Walk/Hike?
Medicine walks and hikes are one of the most significant parts of the experience at Hawaii Island Recovery. During these walks, the group is guided by someone who is skilled in leading medicine walks and hikes. The guide is responsible for not only guiding individuals along the hike but also showing them parts of Hawaiian culture native to the Big Island of Hawaii as the walk continues.
For example, there are many plants that are native to the Hawaiian land that are also medicinal in nature. Some are even edible and have powerful healing properties for a variety of different ailments. The Big Island is incredibly diverse in terms of different types of landscapes. It’s also the home to eleven of the world’s thirteen different climate zones, which isn’t found in many other places. This adds to the patient experience as being in nature has profound impacts on creating space for healing and recovery to take place in experiences of not only physical illnesses but also substance use and mental health disorders.
Because of the abundant nature that is accessible, the patient experience is deepened as individuals are able to anchor into their relationship with nature and environment, and thus with themselves and others. The medicine walks and hikes at Hawaii Island Recovery are an intentional time for patients to engage in conscious reflection as they are guided to explore their inner world as they connect to nature.
Medicine walks and hikes are especially healing as they are part of the ancient Hawaiian culture. Part of this culture is referred to as “Mana,” which translates to spiritual energy and strength. The presence of Mana can be felt in different places for many people and is especially present on Hawaiian land as it is part of Hawaiian culture. Being outdoors and surrounded by nature can help individuals connect to this energy and reduce stress and negativity as their strength, courage, and vitality are restored.
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Substance Abuse Recovery at Hawaii Island Recovery
Most substance use disorder treatment programs begin with a period of supervised medical detox, where individuals are supported by a team of trained professionals during the withdrawal process as they detox from any substances in their system. This phase of treatment is important to undertake with professionals trained to guide patients during the process of substance detox as this period can be very uncomfortable and even dangerous for both the patient and those around them. In being guided by a treatment team, it is possible to keep everyone as safe and as comfortable as possible.
After supervised medical detox, individuals frequently enter residential treatment at the same center they completed their detox with in order to allow for a smooth transition into further treatment. At Hawaii Island Recovery, we offer medically supervised detox followed by our residential treatment program. Before individuals begin their treatment plan, they meet with their treatment team to discuss what treatment options and what their recovery needs and goals are from a holistic perspective. Because each person is at a different place in their recovery, what treatment looks like for each person will be different, which is why one of our values is taking a person-centered approach to healing so individuals are met where they are at in their healing journey.
At Hawaii Island Recovery, we are committed to meeting you where you are at in your healing journey and are ready to support you in a way that makes sense for you as you rediscover yourself, experience sobriety, and maintain recovery.
It’s likely some form of continued support and treatment will be necessary after completing residential treatment, which is why lower levels of care, such as outpatient and aftercare programming, are offered to help patients during their transition from residential care. In this phase of treatment, individuals are supported as they reintegrate into their lives without the structure of residential treatment to gain the life skills they need to maintain and sustain their recovery. Without aftercare and outpatient support, treatment is often not as sustainable in the long term, which also increases the risk of relapse. Although relapse isn’t something that is always preventable, outpatient and aftercare services can provide valuable support and help patients develop skills and techniques that prevent relapse and sustain long-term recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does treatment cost?
Your insurer may cover some or all of the cost of treatment. Depending on your carrier and policy, you may be responsible for the deductible and there may also be a co-pay. The cost of treatment is dependent on the length of stay and the level of care that is deemed medically necessary to support your recovery.
How can I verify my insurance?
Hawaii Island Recovery is able to accept most insurance plans. Depending on your carrier and your individual plan, the extent of coverage will vary. To determine whether your insurance will cover some or all of the cost of treatment, you are urged to contact Hawaii Island Recovery today and speak with one of our Intake Coordinators or to fill out the “Verification of Benefits” form on our website. We will work quickly to ascertain your eligibility for insurance coverage for treatment with Hawaii Island Recovery.
What is detoxification, or “DETOX”?
Alcohol and most drugs are potentially toxic substances, particularly when used in excess. With chronic abuse, the human body adapts to the presence of these substances in an effort to counter their lethal effects. When alcohol or drugs are stopped, extreme care must be taken to ensure a safe withdrawal. Detoxification or “detox” refers to the acute phase of the withdrawal process that can be both uncomfortable and dangerous and may require medical intervention. For some patients, a “detox” protocol of prescribed medication may be required to ensure the client is safely “detoxed” with minimal discomfort.
Get more information about “Detox”
Get more information about “Detox”
What are the benefits of flying away from home for treatment?
Removing yourself from the stressors and triggers of daily life is essential in early recovery. Most of our clients have tried to get sober in their home communities and have failed to achieve lasting sobriety. A change in environment is not only conducive to breaking old patterns and habits, it also reduces exposure to the external triggers that most likely perpetuated the cycle of addiction.
Removing yourself from the stressors and triggers of daily life is essential in early recovery. Most of our clients have tried to get sober in their home communities and have failed to achieve lasting sobriety. A change in environment is not only conducive to breaking old patterns and habits, it also reduces exposure to the external triggers that most likely perpetuated the cycle of addiction.
What is the length of stay?
Length of stay refers to the number of days a person is in residential treatment. Hawaii Island Recovery offers 30, 60 and 90-day treatment programs, with 90 days being the optimal length of stay to achieve long-term sobriety.
How can I deal with trauma / PTSD?
The majority of our clients who enter treatment for substance abuse have a co-occurring mental health disorder. Most commonly, our clients also suffer with depression, anxiety, and PTSD. In the majority of cases, we have found that underlying all of these conditions is a history of trauma that may include childhood abuse and neglect, sexual abuse and domestic violence. In our experience, it is imperative to aggressively treat the underlying trauma to reduce the risk of relapse after treatment. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based technique that has been demonstrated to effectively treat trauma at its source. Hawaii Island Recovery offers EMDR provided by a highly trained clinical staff in addition to CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) another effective therapeutic modality for the treatment of trauma.
