Adventure Therapy for Young Adults with Substance Use Disorders: A Feasibility Study of Psychosocial Empowerment Outcomes

This study examined the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of an adventure therapy (AT) intervention for young adults in outpatient Substance Use Disorders (SUD) recovery settings. This research sought to understand participants’ experiences and evaluate the program's impact on critical psychological resources. Twelve young adults from a SUD recovery program in Greece participated in a four-day structured adventure therapy intervention involving sea kayaking, camping, and reflective processing. A quantitative approach utilized the Adventure Therapy Experience Scale (ATES 5.0) to assess program dimensions, while paired-samples t-tests compared pre- and post-intervention scores on the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE). Quantitative results indicated high participant appraisal of interpersonal cohesion (M = 9.17) and the restorative role of nature (M = 8.85) in the group. Statistical analysis revealed significant improvements in both self-esteem ( p < .001, d  = 0.96) and general self-efficacy ( p < .05, d  = 0.28) after the intervention. The findings suggest that short-term AT interventions can effectively strengthen internal coping mechanisms and facilitate identity reconstruction. By providing mastery experiences within a supportive natural environment, AT serves as a potent complementary tool for enhancing resilience and preventing relapse during substance use recovery.