Published: Friday, 1st September, 2006 13:15
Galloping success for scheme to help addicts
By Hannah Jefferson
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ADDICTS taking part in drug and alcohol recovery programmes at a Peeblesshire clinic are being given a helping hand – by horses.
Castle Craig near Peebles is cantering ahead of other UK rehabilitation centres, with its use of new equine therapy techniques.
And the therapeutic ponies are proving popular with patients taking part in the local drug and alcohol programme.
Therapist Oreal Gillan traveled to Utah in the USA to learn about the unusual treatment for those who have suffered through addictions.
And she says the technique known as Equine Assisted Therapy is proving a great success in Peeblesshire.
She told the Peeblesshire News: “The feedback we have had about the therapy has been very encouraging.
“People are amazed by how much they can learn from it and because it’s different it sticks in their mind.”
Residents at the centre are given simple exercises to complete with the horses as part of a broader programme of therapy to help combat addiction.
Oreal explained: “Recovery is about changing behaviour patterns that have been ineffective in the past.
“The horses are just a tool to help identify those behaviour patterns.
“Patients are given a task to do without any further instructions about how to do it.
“The main point is to then look at the process of problem solving and coping skills that they use and relate that to other areas of life.”
The centre is the first place in Scotland to use the hoofed healthcare scheme.
Jane Chambers who has been taking part in the treatment at Castle Craig says she would definitely recommend it to other recovering addicts.
She said:”I’ve loved being with the horses and it’s really opened my eyes to things about myself, which has been really helpful.
“The whole process is marvelous. I would definitely recommend it.
“I just wish I had known about it sooner.”
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