Move a Muscle,
Change a Thought
Every aspect of Surfside’s program was built with intention, particularly the integration of daily physical movement and activities for our residents. Our mission to end the cycle of chronic substance use demands that we incorporate a variety of tools and adjunctive therapies to tackle addiction and mental illness head-on. There’s a growing mountain of research that reveals regular moderate and high intensity exercise can decrease cravings, improve self-reported depression/anxiety, and start to rebuild substance-induced neurological damage.
Why Movement?
What Makes Surfside’s Programming Unique?
A 2015 survey of participants in substance use programming reports that 70% of patients want an exercise program to be part of their treatment, and 76% of them want to be offered multiple fitness modalities. Participants in this study reported the biggest barriers to regular physical activity were lack of equipment, direction, confidence or motivation – very few reported that they didn’t have the time to work out (Stroutenberg et al., 2015).
Surfside’s variety of outlets for physical fitness seeks to remove the barriers reported in different studies. By providing a massive fitness center (Saltwater Athletics) directly next door to Shore Break Recovery, equipment is easily accessible. We offer a structured trainer-led fitness class multiple days a week, as well as the freedom to build one’s own workout on “open gym” days. From bicycles to paddleboards to one-wheel skateboards and a range of team sports, we open the door for residents to explore the physical movement that feels right for them. And on the days that motivation is lacking, we simply ask residents to bring the body & the mind will follow… just like we do in recovery.