Can Sweat Lodges Help with addiction recovery
Addiction to drug and substance abuse in itself is a very destructive disease. It can have drastic physical and mental effects. These can be short-term and long-term at the individual level or the entire community.
The Native Americans are among the leading populations with the highest number of people struggling with addictions. Unfortunately, the number of programs addressing this unique need remains limited.
At Akasha Recovery, we acknowledge the need to address the impact of this generational trauma. We subscribe to the studies that spiritual and cultural connections, both modern and ancient, can help people move through the recovery process. This combination has been helpful when coupled with other treatment modalities. This recovery process has been successfully catalyzed by a renowned tradition known as the sweat lodge ceremony.
A sweat lodge ceremony is a Native American healing and purification ceremony. The ceremony takes place outside a dome-shaped dwelling standing on a portion of land considered sacred. The lodge has a sauna-like environment, and the prayer chooses the location. It is then cleaned up, cleansed, and procedurally prepared.
The lodge is typically a structure made of natural materials or wood frames from tree branches. Often, it is covered using animal skins or blankets. It has an earthen-dug fire pit at the center, a place where hot rocks are placed by the firekeeper. Water is poured over the heated rocks periodically to create hot steam in the room.
Leaders of the ceremony build a huge fire outside the structure to heat the rocks. They bring these hot stones into the lodge once the participants settle to add heat into the enclosure.
The fire keeper or the leader accompanies the participants throughout the session in the lodge. The leader will offer songs and prayers while encouraging the participants to join.
The main reasons for the ceremony are:
- Create a spiritual reunion with the creator
- Build a respectful connection to the earth
- Purge toxins out of the physical bodies of the participants through excessive sweating.
What is a Sweat Lodge Ceremony?
How hot can a Sweat Lodge get?
The temperature of the lodge depends on the temperature preference of the ceremony’s leader. Sometimes, it can get extremely hot, above 100 degrees.
Both men and women are encouraged to go barefoot and wear loose shorts and t-shirts. It is advised to wear that can keep them comfortable during intense heating. The extreme heat is meant to bring participants to their present situation and intensify their mental state and prayers.
Typically, the entire ceremony requires four rounds of heat addition. The time frame for each addition varies. The participants are encouraged to get out between the rounds. But they can also get out any time if they cannot stand the temperatures in the lodge.
Participants frequently become thirsty in the lodge due to the extremely high heat intensity. They are encouraged to hydrate well before entering because no drinks are allowed inside. They can also hydrate during the breaks between the fire rounds.
How long does a Sweat lodge ceremony
In most cases, the ceremony lasts between 2-4 hours. This method of healing is unique in the Native American culture. It is designed to strengthen the connection between participants in the lodge, nature, the creator, and mother earth.
It also allows participants to reflect on the current issues they face with their active addiction from a unique perspective. The experience makes them create a new emotional attachment to substitute the old destructive ones.
America is one of the leading countries with the largest number of people struggling with drug and substance addiction. Yet most recovery centers have few people undergoing rehab. Probably because most people don’t know if they are struggling or are aware but ignore it.
Some signs of alcohol or drug addiction are:
- Taking drugs for nonmedical reasons. For example, some take drugs because they love their taste or smell.
- Using drugs against the doctor’s prescription. Some may take an overdose or consume alcohol while under medication.
- Frequent sadness, agitation, depression, or hostility with no root cause
- The urge to take alcohol or drugs throughout the week
- Unable to limit the amount of alcohol or drugs intake, even if you want
- Increased borrowing of money to purchase alcohol or drugs
- Frequently feeling guilty about your current alcohol or drug journey
- Withdrawal from family and friends
- Drop in performance or failure to attend classes.
- Negligence of duty and reduced performance at work and home
- Missing prescriptions or evidence of drug paraphernalia
- Experiencing difficulties when you want to stop using drugs or alcohol
Drugs or alcohol addiction can affect people differently. If someone finds themselves experiencing less than four of the signs mentioned above, they can recover on their own upon proper drug and alcohol management.
But if a person experiences more than four signs, they will probably require help. They can attend a reputable addiction recovery rehab center to detox. They can get the best counseling at a treatment center to help them lead a drug-free life.
DON’T JUST GET SOBER. CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
How are Sweat Lodges Beneficial to addiction
The heat in the sweat lodges can be extreme, sometimes far greater than the conventional sauna. The participants may sweat for hours, and some may require frequent breaks. However, the environment is seen as a connection between the ground and the spirit, creating harmony between participants, the “higher power,” and the world.
Therapeutically, sweat lodges help addicts find peace with their pasts, themselves, the world, and God. The experience also strengthens them against recovery temptations to alcohol and drug abuse.
This physical metaphor for Mother Earth has been used for ages in aboriginal traditions for its spiritual cleansing and healing properties. It is perceived as a powerful spiritual and cultural tool that helps in addiction recovery.
Rehab Center for Drug or Alcohol Addiction
The sweat lodge ceremony plays a significant role in drug or alcohol rehabilitation. But alone may not entirely create the desired long-term sobriety and after-rehab counseling. At Akasha Recovery, we have various treatment options and modalities to help participants lead sober lives after recovery.
As one of the leading rehab facilities in Encinitas, CA, we focus on helping you break free from active addictions. We aim to restore families and improve the entire community. Contact us today to help us help you achieve your desired long-term sobriety.