There’s no doubt that addiction recovery is a lot of hard work. Changing old habits and developing a new perspective on yourself and the world requires a lot of emotional strength and mental energy. However, this isn’t to say that the recovery process needs to be a somber ordeal with no fun, humor, or joy. On the contrary, games and recreational activities can be a great way to approach difficult emotions in a more lighthearted way. There’s a wealth of games that can aid recovery while providing an enjoyable distraction.
Card Games Focused on Recovery
Card games have been a popular recreational activity for centuries. Currently, hundreds of different card games are on the market, so it makes sense that recovery-themed ones are becoming increasingly popular. The Courage to Change games are a popular option. They are specially designed to facilitate discussion on many sensitive topics regarding recovery. They can be used to stress the importance of resilience and developing effective coping mechanisms. On the other hand, tools like Sober Cards provide inspirational quotes and motivational messages that can be comforting and uplifting during challenging moments.
Board Games for People Struggling with Addiction
Board games can be an excellent medium for those struggling with addiction to work through their triggers in a low-stakes way. They can provide an opportunity for self-reflection and increase understanding of how addiction impacts one’s life outcomes. Games like Inspirado are informed by modern psychological theories and are specially designed to aid recovery. They are built to facilitate meaningful discussions in group sessions or between peers by transforming group sessions into highly interactive experiences. Playing CBT is a science-backed game based on the popular clinical modality. It can be used by mental health professionals and peers to enable the development of practical coping skills and provide opportunities for self-reflection, ultimately leading to an improvement in one’s mental health.
Video Games Can Help Too (Yes, Really!)
Recent research has found that video games can be a helpful tool for managing the desire to use addictive substances. It turns out that playing Tetris, even for just a few minutes, can dramatically decrease cravings for nearly anything — food, coffee, alcohol, and drugs. Researchers hypothesize that playing an immersive video game occupies the same areas in the brain responsible for imagining yourself using your drug of choice, so it’s nearly impossible to think of both of these things simultaneously. Video games can be an excellent way to manage your recovery, but don’t be tempted to spend all day gaming, as this can get in the way of building more sustainable daily habits.
Are You Ready for the Journey to Recovery?
Here at Hickory Treatment Centers, we draw upon a range of science-based approaches to addiction. Developing highly-effective treatment plans that suit each patient’s unique needs is our number one priority. Please get in touch with us and we’ll be more than happy to discuss the best treatment options for you, as well as to address any questions or concerns.
