Wilderness as Healing Environment: Treating Adolescent Substance Misuse in Wilderness Therapy

ABSTRACT

This paper reviews three psychoanalytic conceptualizations of substance misuse, discussing the implications for substance treatment deriving from these conceptualizations. The paper also presents wilderness therapy as an evidence-based approach, reviewing the outcomes and primary components of such programs. Finally, the paper concludes with two case studies of adolescents with substance use disorders treated in wilderness therapy.

KEYWORDS:

• Adolescent
• substance misuse
• substance abuse
• addiction
• wilderness therapy
• outdoor behavioral healthcare
• adolescent mental health

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Joanna E. Bettmann

Joanna E. Bettmann is a Professor of Social Work at the University of Utah and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a private practice.

Gabrielle M. Kouris

Gabrielle M. Kouris is a student in the Master of Social Work program at the University of Utah.

Ileana M. Anderson

Ileana M. Anderson is a student in the Master of Social Work program at the University of Utah.

Bryan Casselman

Bryan Casselman received his B.N from the University of Utah in 2019.