The value of recreation and FUN in recovery should not be underestimated.

Recreation in recovery gives people a chance to enjoy themselves, to release stress, and to socialize with like minded people dealing with the same addiction and recovery challenges. But there are other benefits to incorporation recreation activities into recovery programs.

Many suffering from addiction disorder put many things they previously enjoyed such as outdoor activities, art, music, cooking aside during periods of addiction. Perhaps the most important benefit of recreation and fun in recovery is that it gives individuals the opportunity to reconnect with their passions and to develop new interests. While there are a number of reasons why a recovering addict may relapse, one of the most common is a lack of meaning and fulfillment in life. Having interests and hobbies provides individuals with an emotional outlet as they progress in their recovery journeys. As well, developing hobbies will give them productive activities with which they can fill their time rather than risking relapse by having no way to fill their time. Therefore, recreation and fun in recovery serve as a means for individuals to rediscover what gives them joy so that the pursuit of those recreational and fun activities can help to fortify their sobriety.

IAR incorporates creative and fun recreation activities into group counseling and outdoor activities including group walks, hiking, museum visits, drum circles, expressive art making for healing and journaling.