Westwind Recovery partnered with Bikes and Hikes LA to provide an outdoor experience for individuals recovering from addiction.
Bikes and Hikes LA offered free bike rentals, lunch and a 36-mile tour of LA County for a group of Westwind Recovery clients this past weekend as a way to give back to the recovering community. The outing provided physical activity and social contact (with social distancing) for individuals in early recovery. It was a way to let these individuals know that they are supported by the business community.
“It’s vital during these times of COVID-19 to get out of isolation as a recovering addict and to fellowship with other addicts and create community,” said Michael Shahin, Housing and Alumni Officer for Westwind Recovery. “Getting outdoors and participating in active exercise feels great and gets the endorphins going. I’m a big advocate of getting out of the house and having fun.”
“Biking is a lifesaver and has helped keep me sober,” said Danny Roman, CEO of Bikes and Hikes LA. “When the going gets tough, I get my ass on my bike and pedal away. Since COVID-19, biking has exploded all over the world. People are taking to biking to exercise and keep sane. Research has found that in cases of mild or moderate depression, exercise is at least as effective as, if not more useful than medication. Cycling can give you a sense of purpose and allow you to take control of your life.”
Shahin added that while the story of how people are introduced and begin abusing drugs varies, the facts are stark. “In 2019, there was an increase in the number of opioid overdoses in America,” he said. “Nearly 71,000 Americans died of drug overdoses last year, a new record that predates the COVID-19-19 crisis, which the White House and many experts believe will drive such deaths even higher. On September 14, police began investigating how seven men suffered from opiate overdoses in less than 24 hours in Pasadena, including three who died. The number of opioid overdoses and deaths during the COVID-19-19 pandemic as many people face depression, unemployment, and isolation.”
Bikes and Hikes LA is based in West Hollywood, at 8250 Santa Monica Blvd. Founded in 2008, the tour company offers a wide variety of daily outdoor LA biking and hiking tours, corporate group activities, and private tours all over Los Angeles. They host bike tours through top LA neighborhoods like Hollywood and Beverly Hills, the best hikes in LA, and many more outdoor Los Angeles activities to get individuals out of their car and into the sunlight. To learn more, visit: https://bikesandhikesla.com/.
Westwind Recovery is a recovery center based in Los Angeles. While The Greater Los Angeles area has a long list of recovery treatment programs to choose from, Westwind Recovery is on the shortlist of recovery programs offering care services that span from detox, inpatient, outpatient, residential, and addiction treatment therapy in Los Angeles. What was once a collection of client-centered sober living homes that provided a safe space to live, practice the 12-step principles, and work a robust program of recovery, has expanded to multiple medical and clinical recovery facilities. Westwind Recovery facilities offer broader services to the sober community regardless of age, race, sex, or sexual identity. To learn more, visit: https://www.westwindrecovery.com/.
It’s a good cause and they do have sex parties after meetings, sometimes with supplements.
Good times.