It is an understood fact that recovery involves a shift of focus. The concept is, that the sensation of getting high can (and should) be redirected to more positive outlets. It’s proven to be successful time and time again, with two recent treatment programs earning notoriety for their emphasis on sports and fitness.
Over in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the fitness angle got some national attention. A sobriety program called 48 For Life made headlines, thanks to a unique partnership with a local crossfit facility. The way their setup works is, anyone who can stay clean for at least 48 hours gets free exercise classes at the gym.
It is a unique structure, where ongoing abstinence leads to increased free membership perks. The longer you maintain your sobriety, the more you gain access to the gym’s state-of-the-art equipment.
As we all know, joining a club is not cheap and these types of incentives really seem to be working on the clientele. They are also promoting an overall healthier lifestyle and a big distraction from using.
Program co-founder Rachael Auclair emphasized that bonds are formed as these groups of people recover together and train together.
“I came home to a home I didn’t know I had,” one anonymous client told local Harrisburg affiliate CBS 21. “We all struggle together through these intense workouts and end up building deeper bonds.”
Over on the west coast, another facility made news for incorporating sports into their regimen. Anaheim Lighthouse is a sobriety program that has its own softball team, which trains and competes together.
Playing a local league, the recovery patients also build bonds and a focus away from drugs and alcohol. The Lighthouse program also puts an emphasis on accountability and teamwork. Two key elements that can help for a successful treatment regimen.
“The softball team has given me purpose throughout the week knowing I’m a part of something bigger than myself,” an anonymous Lighthouse patient told the local Anaheim news. “Just by putting my Lighthouse shirt on, I feel like I’m no longer the person I used to be. The feeling gives me a certain hope that I do have the chance to create a new future. Not only does it give me accountability but being involved with these teams has also given me leadership roles I have always strived for in my life.”
Baseball equipment on the lawn
