This is not the case at The Landing, an exclusive 30-day private rehab facility for men suffering from drug or alcohol addiction. The phrase “clean and sober” takes on a whole new meaning at The Landing, where a body free from drugs and alcohol is just one component of a larger philosophy emphasizing overall health and well-being.

 

Located in an intimate six-bed facility on the sand in beautiful Newport Beach, California, The Landing incorporates outdoor activities like surfing, tai chi, sailing, and bike riding and healthy meals prepared by a gourmet chef into the daily routine. Recently listed by Forbes.com among its “Top 10 Luxury Rehab Centers” for the fourth consecutive year, one of the program’s most impressive features is its emphasis on fitness and sober fun.

 

Every week, residents at The Landing can participate in the facility’s wildly popular surf program. Waking up at the crack of dawn with wetsuit fastened and surfboard in tow, residents greet the ocean right outside their front door and learn how to ride the gentle waves of the Pacific. With plenty of instruction and supervision, no experience is necessary – just an interest and a willingness to try.

 

“Whether clients are avid surfers or have never stepped foot in the ocean, surfing can be a powerful experience,” says Kurt Greenbaum, The Landing’s full-time chef who lives and works with the residents every day. “They are actively engaged in the present moment to learn a new skill, and at the same time, they’re re-building their strength and feeling good about their accomplishment.”

 

Physical activity – whether surfing, working out at a gym, taking a dance class, or playing sports – encourages individuals in recovery to set and achieve goals, which builds confidence and a feeling of self-control. The powerful sense of accomplishment that comes from learning new skills and achieving goals is crucial to a recovering addict’s emotional and physical growth. For the first time, the addict may say to himself, “I’m not powerless anymore.”

 

 

A key part of the 12-Step program is working with other recovering addicts and alcoholics. The Landing’s surf program, as well as its extensive list of other activities, provides residents with ample opportunities for fellowship with other men who understand the ups and downs of overcoming addiction. The surf program is so popular that alumni who live in the area also continue to participate long after their stay has ended. These alumni are an excellent example to current residents of how good the sober life can be.

 

Outdoor and community activities also give residents a chance to interact with people outside the rehab group, which helps residents make a gradual transition back into society. Sometimes the general public can set a good example for having fun in sobriety as well.

 

The Landing also offers a weekly co-ed soccer club that plays in a community league. A great team-building activity, the soccer club gives residents a chance to bond with other individuals in recovery, form lasting friendships, and get ideas and feedback from people they trust.

 

The Landing’s oceanfront location provides more than a peaceful, luxurious setting for recovery, it is also immensely therapeutic. At a time when life can seem particularly chaotic and overwhelming, listening to the waves crashing at night, watching the dolphins playing in the water, and taking in the daily sunrises and sunsets can foster an appreciation for nature and invigorate a passion for life. It is also reassuring to live in a community where people love where they live and find plenty of outlets to enjoy life without drugs or alcohol.

 

“On a typical day, you’ll find our clients playing games on the beach, flying kites, practicing kung fu, surfing, and just enjoying these unbelievable surroundings,” says Greenbaum. “When you’re this busy, there’s no time to get depressed or preoccupied. Even clients who were reluctant to get involved are anxious for the next activity once they get a taste of what a little sober fun can do for them.”

 

 

Enjoying a life of sobriety greatly decreases a person’s chances of relapsing and returning to old behavior patterns. Numerous research studies have shown a strong association between daily exercise and long-term abstinence from drugs or alcohol. Studies also suggest that aerobic exercise can improve symptoms of depression, a common risk factor for relapse.

 

A Brown University study, conducted in the late 1990s by Dr. Bess Marcus of the university’s Center for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, evaluated the effects of exercise on 281 healthy but sedentary females who were trying to quit smoking. The women who participated in an exercise program were twice as likely to become and remain smoke-free as the women who didn’t exercise.

 

Dr. Marcus also completed a study that tracked 44 alcoholics in outpatient treatment, discovering that 12 weeks of aerobic conditioning increased the likelihood that they would remain sober. Researchers pointed to similarities in the effects on the reward pathways of the brain’s limbic system (particularly dopamine activity) as the reason for the association between exercise and sobriety.

 

 

Activities like qi gong, meditation, tai chi, and yoga, which emphasize awareness and reverence for the body as well as relaxation, patience, and focus, may help recovering addicts cope with stress and avoid relapse. For recovering addicts who feel restless, anxious, irritable, impulsive, or unable to self-soothe, simple breathing and relaxation techniques can provide immediate relief. Physical activity can also restore an addict’s appreciation for and confidence in what his body can do when free from the influence of drugs or alcohol.

 

For others, physical activity is a new way to experience the thrill of living life on the edge. From snowboarding and surfing to adventure sports, recovering addicts can enjoy an exhilarating rush of endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine – chemical messengers that trigger the pleasure center of the brain. The natural high brought on by healthy activities can be an excellent way to cope with stress and difficult emotions. In addition, these activities are fun ways to fill the time that would’ve been reserved for using drugs or drinking.

 

 

Achieving sobriety is just one step in the recovery process. To stay clean and sober permanently, recovering addicts must learn how to enjoy life without drugs or alcohol. In addition to the well-known health benefits of exercise, including improved cardiovascular endurance, heightened immune function, increased strength and balance, improved circulation, and better coordination, regular physical activity dramatically improves the recovering addict or alcoholic’s quality of life.

 

The addiction experts at The Landing understand that physical activity and the occasional break from counseling sessions promote a healthy lifestyle and contribute to the recovery process. That is why the facility offers an impressive variety of activities, including surfing, kayaking, sailing, kung fu, soccer, and trips to popular local destinations, designed to help residents achieve a balanced life. With a new activity scheduled every day of the week, seeing new sights and meeting new people has proved deeply enriching for individuals in recovery.

 

“The Landing provides a healing recovery experience in one of the most beautiful locations in the country,” says David Parker, a case manager at The Landing. “This is a tranquil, serene, safe place to figure it all out while creating a life that is truly worth living.”