Get to Know The Benefits of Horticultural Therapy for Addiction
Few people know the real benefits that can be found in something like horticultural therapy. But if you have arrived at our resource, you may already have an inkling of just how healing and helpful this form of therapy can be.
Spending time in the natural world, among living things that you have nurtured, symbolizes the new life you can find through recovery.
Whether an herb garden, a container garden, or planting flowers outdoors, plant care is a reminder that even small steps matter. Small gardening activities like watering and weeding create beautiful growth.
And every time you decide to attend a meeting, talk to a friend, or resist the urge to use, you’re also growing.
Garden therapy for addiction is just one of the many holistic therapies we offer on our 50-acre campus at Ingrained Recovery. And, its benefits go beyond just being a new hobby and can really bolster long term success in recovery from alcohol and substance abuse.
We hope you enjoy our resource on this compelling form of support, and invite you to call us confidentially at any time if you would like more information on our detox and treatment programs.
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What is Garden Therapy for Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment?
Horticultural therapy can help you heal from alcohol and drug use. Gardening has many benefits for your emotional, physical, and mental health. It gives you a chance to slow down. You learn to nurture and be present, two skills that support your recovery journey.
This doesn’t mean that you have to have a “green thumb” or do anything complicated, though.
Anyone can dig in dirt to plant seeds or water, and tend to vegetables. Even arranging flowers or just standing barefoot in the grass with the sun on your face can promote well-being.
One of the unique things about horticultural theory is how it reflects your recovery. Think of the way that growing a flower takes time and consistent care. Your recovery is the same. Every time that you take an action to support your recovery, you are creating sustainable, meaningful change.
Our campus at Ingrained Recovery is the perfect setting for garden therapy. Surrounded by nature, daily routines like gardening in our community garden remind you of the beauty and benefit of steady progress.
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What Should I Expect in a Horticultural Therapy Program?
There are no prerequisites for horticultural therapy. You don’t need a green thumb or even any experience with plants. Sessions are different for each person. You might help plant a garden bed, water and prune plants, or even just sit among nature while you quietly reflect.
Gardening on its own can be beneficial, but gardening therapy happens with trained counselors.
Our staff will guide you to make sure the experience is focused on mindfulness and intention, but it doesn’t look the same for everyone. Some people choose gardening therapy to channel restless energy into something productive. Others look to it as a way to build patience and purpose after the chaos of addiction has finally left your life.
How Can Garden Therapy Support My Recovery Journey?
You might think that “being sober” is the end goal for recovery, but it’s not. You’re rebuilding something more than you had before, a new (or renewed) sense of self and overall health. Recovery helps you find emotional and mental stability, so you can build a better foundation.
Garden therapy gives a simple, calming structure that supports what you are building. It restores your sense of control and accomplishment that may have been missing. With somewhere to direct your energy, you also find yourself less anxious and restless.
As you care for another living thing, even a plant, you’re also reinforcing self-worth and moving further away from a return to any form of alcohol or substance use disorder.
You see real growth. This reinforces the idea that even after destruction or self-doubt, you can create something beautiful. This “something beautiful” is a garden, and your life.
Additional Benefits: Reduce Stress, Build Self-Confidence, and Develop New Skills
Beyond emotional healing, gardening can improve physical health and confidence. The combination of gentle exercise, fresh air, and sunlight promotes overall well-being. It releases endorphins and relaxes muscle tension.
Gardening also comes with tangible achievements and quiet victories. From managing soil health and identifying plants to growing herbs and vegetables used in meals, you’ll find self-esteem. It’s a reminder that you are more than just “recovering”. You are building a meaningful, productive life.
Integrating Garden Therapy with Other Holistic Treatments
Garden therapy fits naturally into the holistic approach we take to healing at Ingrained Recovery. It’s used alongside evidence-based therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy, group counseling, and other nature-based treatments.
Horticultural therapy also complements mindfulness practices, yoga, and meditation. It pairs well with art or equine therapy, which offer a creative outlet for emotional release.
Every person’s healing process is different. One of the beautiful things about holistic therapy is that it can be used however it will benefit you most. Whether you’re tending a small plot of flowers or walking through the garden after therapy, these moments of connection with nature can help you breathe, focus, and feel grounded in your progress.
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Bountiful gardens start with a single seed, and every recovery journey starts with a single step for something more, a need to break the cycles and feel whole again.
Call Ingrained Recovery to start making progress, no matter how small, today. We use garden therapy alongside other holistic approaches to help you find a sense of connection in nature.
Please reach out confidentially now and let us help you grow in recovery!
FAQs on Horticultural Therapy for Addiction and Mental Health
What Are the Mental Health Benefits of Garden Therapy?
Research shows that time spent in “green” spaces reduces stress hormones, lowers blood pressure, and boosts serotonin. This is the same brain chemical responsible for mood regulation and happiness.
At its root (pun fully intended), gardening can be an incredible tool for mental health. And mental health is a strong supporter of sobriety and holistic ‘human health.’
The therapeutic benefits of gardening make a real difference in addiction recovery. It’s all too easy to feel overwhelmed by anxiety, depression, or other negative emotions. But as you breathe fresh air, feel the sun on your face, and dig in the soil, you can let go of these emotions.
You learn to exist in the present simply by using your senses. You don’t have to sit still or meditate like you would during more traditional mindfulness exercises. This can lead to better sleep, better mood, and even a sense of peace.
How Does Gardening Teach Patience and Responsibility in Recovery?
Recovery (and gardening) takes time. Seeds won’t sprout overnight, and it’s going to take time for you to adopt new habits. It also teaches you to show up and care for yourself every day.
Even when you don’t feel motivated, caring for yourself matters. Just imagine the way neglecting a plant leads to wilting. When you neglect self-care, it can lead to setbacks.
At its core, gardening is a gentle reminder of personal responsibility and the rewards of staying consistent.
Can Garden Therapy Improve Relationships and Teamwork?
Many people who enter addiction recovery feel isolated. Drug and alcohol use damages trust and your ability to communicate with friends and loved ones. During garden therapy at Ingrained
Recovery, you’ll work side-by-side with others in recovery. Tasks like planting rows and dividing duties require teamwork and communication. However, the peaceful, outdoor setting feels a lot different than the typical group exercise.