Psychological effects of an adventure therapy program in the treatment of substance use disorders. A Greek pilot study. (4th March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Panagiotounis, Fotis; Theodorakis, Yannis; Hassandra, M.; Morres, Ioannis
• Is Part Of: Journal of substance use. Volume 26:Number 2(2021)
• Page Start: 118
• Page End: 124
• Publication Date: 2021-03-04
• Subjects: Addiction counseling -- adventure therapy -- substance use disorder -- self-efficacy -- self-esteem; Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Medication abuse -- Periodicals; 362.2905
• DOI: 10.1080/14659891.2020.1807630
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1465-9891

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The aim of this pilot study was to examine the effects of a short-term adventure therapy program on the self-esteem and self-efficacy of individuals in treatment for substance use disorders. Adventure-based therapy intervention is an experiential approach, utilized by mental health clinicians, which can be used as a clinical tool to promote therapeutic change in participants. In this light, this pilot study investigated the effects of a 5-day adventure therapy program on the psychological resources of self-esteem and self-efficacy of drug addicts under recovery. Pre and post data were collected from 14 ex-drug addicts utilizing two self-report instruments: General Self-Efficacy Scale and the Self-Esteem Scale. The t-tests and the effect sizes indicated that there is a statistically significant increment in the self-esteem ( p <.032, d =.73) and self-efficacy ( p <.026, d =.93) of the participants, supporting, that adventure therapy interventions can work an alternative to or as a complementary therapeutic tool to use into traditional addiction recovery counseling.