Therapeutic Recreation Activities Combined with a 12-Step Faith-Based Program for Adults Experiencing Addiction, Mental Health, and Homelessness: A Case Study

ABSTRACT

The aim of this case study was to explore the changes in emotional well-being for 12 adult (13 males, 1 female) residents with addiction, mental health, and homelessness issues who participated in a program that combined recreation therapy complementary physical and creative arts activities followed by a 12-step Christian meeting, twice a week for 2 hours over a 6-week period. Results revealed a 27% reduction in anxiety and a decrease in perceived stress of 24%. Negative mood symptoms also reduced by 13%. Resiliency, positive mood, and enjoyment showed 9%, 4%, and 13% improvements respectively. Depression remaining unchanged. This program showed promise in improving common symptoms for adults experiencing addiction, mental health, and homelessness issues.

KEYWORDS:

• Recreation therapy
• complimentary physical activities
• creative arts
• addiction
• mental health
• homelessness
• anxiety

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the University of Lethbridge Health/Medical Sciences Grant [14663].