Pet-friendly rehab refers to a drug or alcohol treatment program that allows clients to bring their pets with them during treatment. This is a relatively new concept in addiction treatment, and it has become increasingly popular in recent years. The idea behind pet-friendly rehab is that clients will have a better chance of success in recovery if they are able to maintain their bond with their pets during treatment. At Riviera Recovery, we are dedicated to being a safe, pet-friendly, sober living home for those struggling with addiction.

In this article, we will cover the benefits of pet-friendly rehab, the types of animal-assisted therapies, and how Riviera Recovery can help you in your recovery process.

What is Pet-Friendly Rehab?

Pets, especially dogs and cats, are known for reducing stress and anxiety and providing emotional support. For people struggling with addiction, having their pets with them during treatment can provide a sense of comfort, reduce stress levels, and even motivate them to stay in treatment longer.

Pet-friendly rehab centers typically have specialized staff who are trained to care for animals and provide support for clients who bring their pets. They also have pet-friendly facilities, including designated areas for pets to sleep and play, and may offer pet therapy as part of their treatment program.

Benefits of Pet-Friendly Rehab Centers

Pet-friendly rehab centers offer several benefits for individuals seeking addiction treatment. These benefits can ultimately lead to greater success in recovery and a more fulfilling life in sobriety. Some of the benefits pet-friendly rehab centers offer are:

Improved emotional well-being
Reduced risk of relapse
Increased social support
Enhanced quality of life
Greater sense of responsibility
Reduced anxiety and depression

The Types of Animal-Assisted Therapies

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) involves using animals to promote emotional, physical, and cognitive healing. AAT can be used in various settings, including healthcare, education, and mental health treatment. There are many different types of animal-assisted therapies, depending on the type of animal used and the purpose of the therapy.

Equine-Assisted Therapy

This type of therapy involves using horses for emotional and psychological healing. Equine-assisted therapy can treat various issues, including addiction, depression, anxiety, and trauma. The therapy involves interacting with horses, such as grooming, leading, and riding, which can help promote self-awareness, empathy, and communication.

Canine-Assisted Therapy

This type of therapy involves using dogs to provide emotional support and companionship. Canine-assisted therapy can treat various mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The therapy may involve interacting with the dog, such as petting, walking, or playing, which can help reduce stress and promote relaxation. This is a common form of therapy and can be seen in the popularity of support dogs.

Feline-Assisted Therapy

This type of therapy involves using cats to provide emotional support and companionship. Feline-assisted therapy can be used to treat a variety of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Like canine-assisted therapy, this therapy may involve interacting with the cat.

Rehab with the Comfort of Your Friendly Pet

The decision to deal with your addiction and enter sober living treatment can be very emotional. You may be concerned about leaving your responsibilities and “old life” behind. But that’s the healthy fresh start you need to get on the path of sober living for recovery. There is one part of your life that you don’t need to leave behind – a very important part, indeed – and that’s your pet. Riviera Recovery is a high-end sober living facility that is totally pet friendly. Sober living and rehab should be a place of peace and contentment, and for many of us, we can’t achieve that peace without our special and friendly pet near us.

Riviera Recovery is proud to offer pet-friendly sober living, allowing our residents to feel safe, secure, and totally at peace during their stay. There are many benefits to having pets with you during the sober living part of the recovery process, including:

Feeling comfort and connection: We have an unbreakable bond and deep connection to our pets – and having them there with us on our sober living journey allows a patient to feel a strong sense of comfort and connection during a time in which they may often feel uncomfortable and disconnected from their “old life.”

A familiar face: The decision to enter a sober living facility can have some people feeling very lonely – and as if they’ve completely lost touch with family and friends. A pet allows a person to maintain a sense of normalcy and familiarity without having to deal with the often toxic baggage and stress that people from their past can cause them.

The ability to self-soothe: There are many complex and uncomfortable emotions that arise during the drug rehab and sober living process. In the past, an addict would have turned to drugs or alcohol to deal with these issues. Now, they are learning healthier ways to process complex emotions and to self-soothe. One of these healthy ways to process emotions is to bond with your animal companion. Animals have the innate ability to provide comfort to their owners during difficult times.

Pet-Friendly Treatment Options

Now that we’ve discussed the benefits of pet-friendly rehab and the types of animal-assisted therapy, we can look into the pet-friendly treatment options available at Riviera Recovery.

One of the primary pet-friendly treatment options at Riviera Recovery is pet-friendly housing. Individuals in recovery can bring their pets to the treatment facility and keep them in their living quarters. This helps create a sense of comfort and familiarity during the treatment process, which can help reduce stress and anxiety.

Another pet-friendly treatment option at Riviera Recovery is animal-assisted therapy. At Riviera Recovery, we offer equine, canine, and feline-assisted therapy. These options are meant to give our clients emotional support, stress management skills, and a sense of companionship.

In addition to these pet-friendly treatment options, Riviera Recovery offers a range of evidence-based therapies to help individuals overcome addiction. These therapies include cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and individual and group therapy.

Overall, Riviera Recovery recognizes the benefits of pet-friendly rehab and animal-assisted therapy in addiction treatment. By offering pet-friendly housing and animal-assisted therapy, they are helping individuals in recovery develop greater self-awareness, empathy, and communication skills, which can be valuable for long-term addiction recovery.