Addiction recovery isn’t easy. Finding something to help in the effort is always a good thing. A four-legged friend may very well be that special something that makes all the difference. Research shows that animals can assist with rehabilitation in various ways and can play a critical support role.
Why pets benefit addiction recovery
Animals are a natural choice for helping with addiction recovery. Studies show this is because animals can help reduce tension and improve moods. It’s been found that people who spend as little as 12 minutes visiting with an animal have a significant reduction in anxiety levels and blood pressure. Other benefits include a reduction in pain and stress levels.
Doing something as simple as petting a puppy affects humans physically. Oxytocin, a brain chemical that makes people feel connected to others, increases when interacting with a dog, cat or other animals.
Ways animals assist with addiction recovery
Working toward sobriety is a process. People in addiction recovery need support, encouragement and strategies to stay on track and prevent a relapse. Pets help a person recover and can assist during steps to remain sober. Here’s how:
Responsibility: A pet relies on the owner’s competence and care. They require food, water and exercise. A dog needs its owner to get out of bed and let it out to go to the bathroom in the morning. When someone recovering from addiction takes on the responsibility of caring for something other than themself, it is empowering. The owner develops self-worth and empathy.
Relationships: Too often, people with substance use disorders have relationships with people who trigger bad behavior. To get clean, people who are addicted need to break away from those influences. Other times loved ones who have been hurt lose patience and end relationships. Single people who get into a recovery program are advised to stay away from beginning new romantic relationships. Depending on the circumstances, the road to recovery can be very lonely. Pets provide companionship. Dogs, cats, horses and other animals help fill the void.
Having a relationship with an animal provides practice for having good relationships with humans. People in recovery can talk to their pets about anything, even tricky topics. This is a great way to start learning how to have hard conversations with people.
Additionally, pets draw attention in public. People will often strike up conversations with pet owners. They serve as great icebreakers in developing positive connections and sober friendships.
Unconditional love: An animal is always there and ready to receive love and attention. Dogs will run to the door and greet owners with the same excitement and happiness day after day. The emotions of someone recovering from addiction can range greatly, but an animal doesn’t care. A cat will still crawl onto their owner’s lap and purr on a bad day, just like on a good day. Pets have no reservations. They do not judge or criticize. They love in spite of anything. Someone struggling with recovery can feel this constant affection, and it helps rebuild self-esteem.
Emotions: Cats can sometimes be finicky and hard to read. Dogs and horses, however, do not hide their feelings. They show signs of happiness and relaxation as well as fear and anger. Dogs and horses also react to emotions. They pick up on feelings of anxiousness or fear.
Substance users aren’t typically in touch with their emotions and/or use drugs and alcohol to mask feelings. Through their pet, animal owners can begin to recognize emotions and learn (or relearn) the skill of expressing emotion.
Exercise: Studies show dog owners exercise more via walking, hiking and running. Horses also present opportunities to get out and exercise. Physical and mental health benefits include getting outside, going for a walk or run and being around nature. Being in the sunlight also helps improve moods.
