Animals have been used in different therapy treatments throughout the years.
Their presence can have a variety of health benefits for humans. At our addiction rehab in Pompano, we strongly believe in the benefits of animal-assisted therapy and utilize it in our facility to help our patients in the recovery process.
Physical Benefits of Pet Therapy
If you are looking for cocaine addiction treatment after long-term use, chances are you do not have the greatest physical health. Drug abuse of any kind can cause various issues as they alter your brain chemistry, sleep schedule, physique, and general physical health. Luckily, one of the animal-assisted therapy benefits is that it can help improve physical health.
Research has shown that some of the most common physical pet therapy benefits include:
- Lowered blood pressure
- Decreased physical pain
- Improved cardiovascular health
- Decreased cortisol levels
- Increased exercise levels [1]
If you are struggling with the decline of your physical health from regular drug or alcohol abuse, pet therapy may be able to help you on your recovery journey.
Mental Benefits of Pet Therapy
It is not uncommon for a person looking for alcohol addiction treatment to also suffer from depression or anxiety. Often substance abuse problems are tied into mental health issues as well. In these instances of cooccurring disorders, animal-assisted therapy may be able to help.
The mental benefits of pet therapy are numerous; some of the examples based on research include:
- Greater happiness and elevated moods
- Less stress and anxiety
- Reduced feelings of loneliness
- Greater willingness to open up
- Increased mental stimulation [1]
If you noticed a decline in your mental health since becoming an addict, animal-assisted therapy is an additional program that may be able to help. Going through the addiction recovery process can also be a mental struggle in itself. It would be nice to have a furry friend there to give you extra support.
As it turns out, spending time with a therapy dog or other therapy animal could result in better overall health. As part of our alcohol and drug treatment program in Pompano, we offer a pet therapy program for our patients. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction and want a comprehensive approach to recovery, our substance abuse treatment program could be the addiction rehab you are looking for.
Get started on the recovery process now. Call our drug and alcohol treatment center in Pompano today at 888-280-4763.
Sources:
- UCLA Health – Animal-Assisted Therapy Research Findings
