The Role of Therapeutic Hobbies in Veteran Recovery

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The structure, purpose, and camaraderie of military life often contrast sharply with the process of civilian reintegration. This is especially true for veterans coping with PTSD, anxiety, depression, or substance use disorders. For those in addiction recovery, rebuilding a life after service can feel like an overwhelming journey. 

Traditional treatment models like 12-step programs, counseling, and medication-assisted therapy are vital components of recovery. Yet many veterans find that hands-on, engaging hobbies provide an essential supplement to their healing path. These offer three major benefits for veteran recovery: 

  • Healthy outlets for processing emotions

  • Structure, consistency, and accountability

  • A sense of purpose

Incorporating hobbies into a veteran’s recovery plan doesn’t mean replacing traditional therapies. Rather it means enhancing them. Hobbies are a practical, engaging way to reinforce recovery principles. Families and caregivers can even reinforce the healing power of these hobbies through emotional support and participating in activities. 

Veterans who embrace hobby-based therapy gain more than just a skill; they regain stability, confidence, and joy on their path to long-term sobriety.

Understanding the Challenges Veterans Face in Recovery

A veteran seeks help through therapeutic hobbies

Veterans face specific challenges in recovery that can stem from the physical, psychological, and emotional toll of military service. While traditional treatment models provide essential support, they fall short in addressing the underlying issues that make sustained sobriety difficult.

The Impact of PTSD, Anxiety, and Depression on Sobriety

Military life is built around discipline, schedules, and a strong sense of purpose. Transitioning to civilian life often means an abrupt loss of structure. This leaves many veterans feeling disconnected and lost. Veterans are often conditioned to prioritize resilience and self-reliance. This makes it difficult to acknowledge struggles with addiction or mental health.

However, combat experiences and high-stress situations common during service can have a lasting impact: 

  • Some veterans live with service-related injuries that cause chronic pain and emotional distress that make daily life feel impossible to manage. 

  • Many veterans turn to substance use as a coping mechanism for pain, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression. 

This attempt to self-medicate can temporarily numb distress, but also reinforces the challenging cycle of addiction. 

How Therapeutic Hobbies Can Heal: Therapeutic hobbies provide veterans with an alternative, healthier outlet for processing emotions. Structured activities can be powerful ways to manage stress and improve mental well-being. They bridge the gap by providing non-verbal, hands-on ways to engage in healing that feel less clinical or stigmatized. 

The Importance of Structure and Adaptive Programs

Integrating creative and physical activities into daily routines helps veterans replace destructive habits with constructive ones. Therapeutic hobbies encourage engagement in meaningful activities, which can restore a valuable sense of purpose. 

Adaptive programs help all veterans, especially those with service-related disabilities, access and participate in hobby-based therapy. These specialized programs focus on modified activities and adaptive hobbies for veterans. Customized programs like these ensure veterans, regardless of ability, can find vital healing and connection through engaging hobbies. 

Therapeutic Hobbies and Their Benefits

A veteran and her dog explore a new therapeutic hobby in hiking

For veterans in recovery, hobbies are a great way to pass the time and create fulfilling, substance-free routines. Studies have shown that those that engage in creative hobbies report significantly higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction. 

Therapeutic hobbies offer a multitude of benefits by addressing both psychological and physiological effects of addiction and trauma: 

  • Encouraging Mindfulness & Stress Reduction. Activities like painting, photography, and gardening promote present-moment awareness, minimizing intrusive thoughts and anxiety.

  • Rewiring Neural Pathways. Creative expression and movement-based activities stimulate the brain, increasing cognitive flexibility and emotional processing—key factors in overcoming addiction.

  • Building Emotional Resilience. Engaging in activities that require patience and persistence, such as woodworking, dance, or model-building, helps veterans process setbacks and frustrations in a healthy way.

  • Fostering Social Connection. Many hobby-based therapy programs offer group settings that help veterans reconnect with a supportive community and combat isolation.

Research reveals that engaging in structured activities reduces relapse rates by reinforcing routine and providing alternative coping mechanisms. 

Keep in mind that in order for therapeutic hobbies to be truly effective, they must be accessible to all veterans. The suggestions below offer adaptive programs, non-profit funded programs, and online or at-home hobby options to help all veterans along their recovery journey. 

Art Therapy

Through painting, drawing, sculpting, and other creative outlets, veterans can express complex emotions that may be difficult to articulate in traditional talk therapy. Art therapy is a powerful way to process trauma and regain a sense of control over one’s emotions. 

Art therapy serves an important role in treating PTSD, helping trauma processing and reducing stress. Completing an art project also provides a sense of accomplishment and personal growth, reinforcing a positive self-image in recovery.

Non-Verbal Emotional Expression: Many veterans find it hard to put their emotions into words, especially when coping with trauma. Art therapy allows them to channel their experiences into visual storytelling, helping to release bottled-up emotions in a healthy way.

Reducing Stress & Anxiety: Engaging in creative activities triggers relaxation responses in the brain, lowering cortisol levels and reducing symptoms of anxiety and PTSD.

Enhancing Self-Awareness & Emotional Regulation: The creative process encourages reflection and insight, helping veterans understand their emotions and develop healthier coping mechanisms.

Several organizations specialize in providing art therapy programs tailored for veterans, offering workshops, virtual sessions, and community-driven initiatives:

  • Art4Healing – Provides expressive art workshops for veterans dealing with PTSD and emotional trauma.

  • CreativeVets – Offers immersive art and music therapy programs designed to help veterans process trauma through creative expression.

  • Patriot Art Foundation – Provides art workshops, exhibits, and mentorship programs for veterans interested in using art as a healing tool.

  • Help Heal Veterans – Distributes free therapeutic arts and crafts kits to veterans recovering from injuries and PTSD.

Veterans interested in exploring art therapy as part of their recovery can join a veteran-focused art program through one of the nonprofit organizations above, or simply engage in self-direct creative activities at home. The goal is simply to express experiences in a safe, non-judgmental space.

Dance and Movement Therapy

Dance and movement therapy (DMT) is a powerful, body-based approach to healing. Unlike traditional talk therapy, which relies on verbal communication, movement therapy helps veterans to release trauma stored in the body and develop healthier emotional regulation skills.

Trauma can be held in the body through muscle tension, posture, and movement patterns. DMT encourages physical expression of these emotions. Science shows DMT has many benefits: 

  • Regulate breathing, heart rate, and stress responses

  • Promote greater control over emotions and reactions to triggers

  • Improve balance, coordination, and flexibility

  • Naturally lift mood and counteract and withdrawal symptoms

  • Foster camaraderie, trust, and connection with other veterans

Several organizations offer specialized dance and movement therapy programs for veterans, including adaptive options for those with limited mobility:

There are several veteran-specific movement therapy groups and resources. Check with local VA or community centers for group dance or fitness programs. A community dance or meditation class can also help veterans experience the benefits of movement in a supportive, low-pressure environment.

Equine Therapy

a veteran engages in equine therapy

Working with horses requires patience and emotional awareness, which are excellent tools for veterans coping with PTSD or recovery. Equine therapy, also known as equine-assisted therapy (EAT), helps veterans build trust, improve emotional regulation, and develop coping skills through interactions with horses. 

Horses are highly attuned to human emotions, responding to subtle shifts in energy, tone, and body language. This unique connection can help veterans recognize their own stress and emotions. Studies show that caring for and working with horses can significantly reduce PTSD symptoms by helping veterans engage with their healing process without needing to verbalize their experiences. 

Many organizations offer equine-assisted therapy programs tailored for veterans:

  • Horses for Heroes – Provides equine therapy programs specifically designed for military veterans and first responders.

  • Operation Wild Horse – Offers equine therapy programs that integrate horsemanship, mindfulness, and veteran support networks.

  • EAGALA Military Services – Specializes in ground-based equine therapy for veterans with PTSD, addiction, and reintegration challenges.

Equine therapy provides a unique, deeply personal healing experience for veterans in recovery. Veterans interested in exploring equine therapy can find a local equine therapy provider or attend a structured equine-assisted therapy program offered by one of the nonprofit organizations above. You may also find opportunities by: 

  • Volunteering at a local horse ranch or stable

  • Participating in group equine therapy sessions

  • Locating providers through VA hospitals or veteran support organizations

By fostering trust and mindfulness, working with horses helps veterans navigate trauma and strengthen their recovery journey.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychotherapy technique designed to help individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences. EMDR has been shown to significantly reduce PTSD symptoms, ease anxiety, and improve emotional regulation. For many, it’s an essential tool for processing addiction and service-related trauma.

EMDR uses guided eye movements, tapping, or auditory stimulation to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories in a less distressing way. Veterans who undergo EMDR therapy report that they experience fewer urges to self-medicate with alcohol or drugs because it helps the brain reframe distressing memories safely. As a result, it can reduce triggers that contribute to cravings and hyperarousal. 

EMDR helps veterans in recovery through: 

  • Lowering flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance to make life more manageable

  • Teaching veterans how to process emotions without feeling overwhelmed

  • Helping veterans disconnect emotional pain from substance use behaviors

Veterans seeking EMDR therapy can access specialized programs designed to meet their unique needs:

Use the EMDRIA directory to find a licensed therapist who specializes in veteran PTSD recovery. Veterans can also ask addiction recovery centers if they offer EMDR therapy as part of their treatment programs or check with local VA clinics to see if EMDR is covered as part of their treatment plan.

Wilderness Therapy and Outdoor Recreation

Whether through hiking, camping, kayaking, or guided outdoor programs, veterans can reap mental and physical benefits of spending time in nature. Wilderness therapy combines these structured outdoor activities with therapeutic principles. This helps many veterans process trauma, reduce stress, and develop healthier coping mechanisms during recovery.

Why It Works: The structured challenges of outdoor adventure and survival skills closely mirror military training. Outdoor activities demand focus and situational awareness. Facing outdoor challenges restore confidence, discipline, and self-sufficiency—key traits veterans often miss after leaving the military.

The Benefits of Nature: Time in nature has been shown to lower cortisol levels, reduce anxiety, and improve emotional regulation. Exposure to fresh air, sunlight, and physical activity boosts dopamine and serotonin levels, improving mood and reducing cravings.

Many wilderness programs are designed for veterans, creating peer-supported experiences that help combat isolation. Several organizations offer these tailored outdoor-based recovery programs for veterans:

  • Warrior Expeditions – Provides long-distance hiking, biking, and paddling programs for veterans seeking healing through outdoor adventure.

  • Volunteers of America (VOA) – Runs wilderness therapy retreats designed to help veterans manage PTSD, addiction, and reintegration challenges.

  • Heroes on the Water – Uses kayaking and fishing therapy to promote relaxation, camaraderie, and emotional healing.

Nature has a profound ability to heal, restore, and strengthen veterans in recovery. Through wilderness therapy programs or self-guided outdoor activities, veterans can embrace a healthier, substance-free life.

Gardening and Hobby Farming

Working with plants and soil is a great hands-on, therapeutic way for veterans in recovery to cultivate mindfulness and regain a sense of purpose. Gardening and hobby farming offers both mental and physical benefits that can make it easier to cope with PTSD, depression, or addiction recovery. 

Engaging in at-home gardening, small-scale farming, or dedicated horticultural therapy offers numerous benefits for veterans:

  • The repetitive, meditative nature of gardening promotes relaxation and helps veterans process emotions in a non-verbal way.

  • Caring for plants requires attention, problem-solving, and patience, which enhances cognitive function and emotional regulation.

  • Watching plants grow from seed to harvest provides a tangible sense of achievement, reinforcing personal growth in recovery.

  • Gardening and farming involve low-impact physical activity, which helps veterans stay active and improve overall well-being.

  • Growing fresh food encourages healthier eating habits, which can support long-term sobriety and physical recovery.

The American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA) recognizes gardening as an effective form of therapy for PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Because of its measurable benefits, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has also integrated gardening programs into veteran rehabilitation centers. 

Several organizations provide training, funding, and resources to help veterans transition into agriculture and farming:

  • Farmer Veteran Coalition – Provides mentorship, grants, and career assistance for veterans pursuing agriculture.

  • Heroic Gardens – Offers horticultural therapy and gardening support for veterans.

  • Veterans Growth – Provides veteran-specific farming programs focused on mental health and skill-building.

Veterans interested in gardening as a therapeutic hobby or career path can:

  1. Start a small home garden with herbs, vegetables, or flowers.

  2. Join a local community garden for social engagement and structured activities.

  3. Participate in horticultural therapy programs available through VA hospitals or veteran organizations.

  4. Explore farming grants and training programs for veterans interested in agriculture.

Whether through a personal garden, community involvement, or a career in agriculture, working with plants fosters stability and personal growth, which is essential for long-term healing. 

Photography and Visual Storytelling

Photography may be therapeutic for recovering veterans

Photography encourages mindfulness, emotional expression, and creativity. Visual storytelling through photography or videography offers a creative, reflective way for veterans to document experiences and regain a sense of control over their narrative.

The Potential of Visual Storytelling

Photography is more than just taking pictures—it’s an active process of seeing the world differently and focusing on the present moment. It can help veterans stay present and redirect anxious or intrusive thoughts. Learning new photography skills and capturing meaningful moments creates a valuable sense of achievement and progress in recovery. By reflecting on their own images, veterans can gain new perspectives on their experiences and emotions.

The Power of Photo Therapy

A paper published by the Arteterapia, a scientific journal about art therapy and artistic education for social inclusion, shares that photo therapy uses one’s “own personal snapshots and family photographs (and their interactions with these) to evoke feelings, thoughts, and memories—and related values, beliefs, attitudes, and expectations) in ways not possible when using other art media (or words) alone.”

There are many photography workshops and storytelling projects tailored for veterans:

Veterans can even start with a simple camera or smartphone to practice capturing meaningful moments. It can be incredibly healing to engage in personal photo projects to document the recovery journey. Through dedicated veteran-focused programs or personal projects, veterans have a way to see the world through a new lens—both literally and figuratively. 

Woodworking, Model Building, and DIY Projects

Woodworking, model building, and DIY activities engage the mind and body. These projects help improve focus, patience, and problem-solving skills, all of which support addiction recovery and emotional well-being. 

By creating something tangible, veterans can experience a sense of accomplishment, purpose, and personal growth. This can be instrumental in building self-esteem and motivation in recovery.

Keeping the hands busy often helps calm the mind. This can help veterans stay present and redirect stress. Step-by-step projects create stability, which is especially beneficial for veterans adjusting to post-military life. Learning these new skills and creating functional or artistic pieces gives veterans a meaningful and fulfilling way to pass the time and get creative.

There are many woodworking or crafting kits specifically designed for therapeutic engagement. For guidance and mentorship, you can look for veteran-focused woodworking or trade skills programs. These free or low-cost woodworking and hands-on therapy programs are designed specifically for veterans:

  • Workshops for Warriors (WFW) – Provides skills-based training in woodworking, metalworking, and manufacturing for veterans.

  • Tools4Troops – Offers free tools and woodworking resources to veterans looking to develop new skills.

  • Woodworking with Warriors – A nonprofit organization that provides woodworking training, mentorship, and community engagement for veterans.

Veterans can also attend community maker spaces or DIY workshops to build skills and meet others with similar interests. Using utilitarian tools through woodworking and other projects becomes its own emotional tool for healing, focus, and self-expression. 

Animal Care and Pet Therapy

Animals have a special energy. Interacting with animals has been shown to reduce PTSD symptoms, lower stress levels, and promote emotional healing. Caring for and spending time with animals is a valuable therapeutic tool for veterans who could benefit from companionship and structured daily routines.

Through service animals, therapy pets, or personal pet ownership, veterans can experience several mental health and recovery benefits. The unconditional companionship of animals can help veterans combat loneliness and isolation. Daily care routines—such as feeding, walking, or grooming—establish structure and accountability, which is essential in recovery. 

Dedicated therapy animal programs and veteran-specific pet organizations offer hands-on engagement for veterans with varying needs. Veterans interested in animal care or therapy pets can:

  • Adopt a companion animal to provide emotional support and structure in daily life.

  • Apply for a trained service dog through one of the veteran-specific programs above.

  • Volunteer at an animal shelter or equine therapy center for hands-on engagement with animals.

  • Explore pet therapy sessions offered through VA hospitals, community centers, or nonprofit organizations.

Many organizations provide service animals, therapy pets, and animal-assisted therapy programs for veterans:

  • Pets for Vets – Matches veterans with rescued companion animals trained for emotional support.

  • K9s for Warriors – Provides service dogs to veterans with PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and military-related trauma.

  • Warrior Canine Connection – A program where veterans train service dogs for fellow veterans, promoting healing and purpose.

The healing power of animals goes beyond companionship—pet therapy provides veterans with emotional stability, purpose, and a healthy coping mechanism in recovery. 

Finding the Right Hobby for Recovery

a veteran engages in a therapeutic hobby

Finding the right therapeutic hobby is a personal process because every veteran’s recovery journey is unique. The ideal hobby should be: 

  • Engaging and fulfilling

  • Aligned with recovery goals

  • Suited to an individual’s needs, interests, and abilities

Veterans can find the best hobby for their recovery journey by following these steps: 

  1. Assess your interests and strengths. Think about past hobbies, skills from military service, or activities that bring a sense of joy and fulfillment.

  2. Consider your needs. If dealing with PTSD or anxiety, mindfulness-based hobbies like art or photography may help. Veterans with physical limitations may benefit from adaptive movement programs or hands-on activities like gardening or woodworking.

  3. Determine the desired outcome. Are you looking for stress relief, social connection, or skill-building? Some hobbies are solo-focused, while others encourage teamwork and community engagement.

  4. Explore through trial and error. Know that it’s okay to experiment with different hobbies until you find what feels right. Many veteran programs offer free trial sessions for new activities.

  5. Join veteran-specific programs. Engaging in peer-supported activities helps veterans connect with others who share similar experiences, reducing isolation and building camaraderie.

Many organizations offer free or low-cost programs specifically for veterans of all abilities. Starting a new hobby can feel intimidating, but many beginner-friendly programs provide structured guidance and mentorship. 

Several programs provide funding, scholarships, or free access to hobby-based therapy:

  • VA Adaptive Sports & Therapeutic Arts Grants – Supports veterans in participating in sports, outdoor activities, and creative therapies.

  • The Bob Woodruff Foundation – Provides funding for veteran wellness programs, including hobby-based recovery.

  • Gary Sinise Foundation: R.I.S.E. Program – Helps veterans access adaptive equipment and hobby-based rehabilitation programs.

  • Pat Tillman Foundation – Offers grants and scholarships for personal development, including creative and therapeutic activities.

Veterans can explore local VA hospitals, community centers, and nonprofit organizations for support in accessing therapeutic activities.

Encouraging Veterans to Explore Therapeutic Hobbies

When you’re navigating recovery from addiction or PTSD, it may not always be easy to recognize the potential benefits of hobby-based therapy. It’s normal to struggle with feelings of isolation, loss of purpose, or uncertainty about where to start. Remember: empowerment, not pressure.

However, in order to reap the benefits of therapeutic hobbies, like reduced stress, improved mental well-being, and structure in recovery, it’s important to take the leap and give it a shot.

Trying Something New

Hobbies are meant to be rewarding and stress-free, not another obligation or challenge. It’s okay to start small by trying one activity at a time, such as attending a single workshop or dedicating a short amount of time each week. Veterans may feel more comfortable in peer-based hobby groups designed for military members and those in recovery.

Supporting Hobby Engagement

Family members and caregivers can play a major role in helping veterans find hobbies that fit their interests and needs. Take time to celebrate progress and participation rather than focusing on the end result, joining in when possible to make the activity a shared experience.

Starting a therapeutic hobby can be as simple as taking that first step. The only way to know if a hobby will help is to start.

Connecting Veterans with Supportive Communities and Resources

A veteran looks thoughtfully on

Therapeutic hobbies are even more powerful when veterans engage with supportive communities that share their interests and experiences. Being around like-minded veterans fosters camaraderie and emotional support. These connections provide vital motivation and accountability that can help veterans stay consistent and committed.

Community support is available through hobby-based groups or recovery communities. Veterans can find these supportive communities and structured hobby-based programs through national and local organizations. 

National and Local Veteran Organizations

These organizations offer hobby-based therapy, group activities, and networking opportunities.

Online Support and Virtual Therapy Options

For veterans who prefer virtual engagement, several online platforms provide guided therapy sessions, peer support, and digital hobby-based programs:

  • Headstrong Project – Offers free, confidential mental health care, including creative therapy options.

  • Vet Tix – Provides free tickets to events, concerts, and activities to help veterans engage with their communities.

  • VA Mindfulness Coach App – A mobile app designed to help veterans develop relaxation and mindfulness skills.

Funding and Assistance Programs

Veterans facing financial barriers to hobby participation can explore grants, scholarships, and funding options.

Veterans Can Take the First Step

For more daily inspiration and guidance on recovery, check out The AA Daily Reflection: Just for Today—a valuable resource for staying grounded and focused on your path.

Ready to explore more tools and insights to support your recovery? Visit 12 Step Reflections for articles, resources, and encouragement as you take the next step toward healing.