Effects of a therapeutic camping program on addiction recovery. The Algonquin Haymarket relapse prevention program

FRANÇAIS :
13 patients en traitement d'abus de substance ont participé à un programme expérimental résidentiel de 3 jours dont les principes étaient d'intégrer la thérapie d'aventure, le camping thérapeutique et la prévention de la rechute. Un groupe de comparaison de 18 patients reçoit un programme classique de prévention de la rechute. Un quetionnaire est rempli avant et après l'intervention, et un suivi est fait 10 mois après. Par rapport au groupe de comparaison, des améliorations significatives sont constatées après l'intervention en ce qui concerne l'éveil autonomique, la fréquence des pensées négatives et le désir d'alcool. A 10 mois, le taux d'abstinence est de 69% contre 42% dans le groupe de comparaison.
ENGLISH :
A group of 13 men and women in substance abuse treatment participated in a 3-day residential program experience based on integrated principles from adventure therapy, therapeutic camping, and relapse prevention. The experimental group is compared to a group of 18 men and women who received the usual and customary relapse prevention program. Both groups completed pre- and postintervention questionnaires. There were no differences in drinking-related locus of control, stress, or problem-solving between groups at postinterview, but there were significant improvements in autonomic arousal, frequency of negative thoughts, and alcohol craving. Participants in both groups were interviewed 10 months after the 3day intervention. Considering individuals who were unreachable as relapsed, the 10-month follow-up relapse rate was 31% for the experimental group and 58% for the comparison group. These results add to the limited body of research supporting outdoor adventure and therapeutic camping experiences integrated with traditional relapse prevention activities as an adjunct to substance abuse treatment. (Authors'abstract)