Date of Award
8-2023
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Committee Chair/Advisor
Dr. Jasmine Townsend
Committee Member
Dr. Marieke Van Puymbroeck
Committee Member
Dr. Brandi Crowe
Committee Member
Dr. Lisa Loar
Abstract
Substance Use Disorders (SUD) are widespread in the United States (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2017), and treatment based on evidence may be difficult to find (The CASA Columbia National Advisory Commission on Addiction Treatment, 2012). According to the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certfication’s most recent survey of the profession, 41.69% of Certified Theraepeutic Recreation Specialists work with people who have SUD. In order to gain insight regarding the current state of practice of recreational therapy (RT) within SUD treatment, a national survey of CTRSs who work in the U.S., serving individuals with SUD as either a primary or secondary diagnosis was conducted. The initial 135- question survey had 164 respondents. Follow-up interviews with conducted with nine CTRSs across different levels of care to further understand the quantitative data from the survey. The explanatory mixed methods research yielded information on common CTRS demographics, clinical programs, intervention types, use of the APIED process, commonly used resources, and current needs and gaps in SUD-specific RT treatment. Further, a systematic review and critique of SUD-specific RT literature and RT textbooks was conducted. Peer-reviewed journal articles from 1981-2021 and current RT textbooks and manuals from three publishers were reviewed and critiqued. Gaps and needs in research were described and discussed. This study resulted in a detailed examination of current practice or RT within SUD care, and suggestions for future research to improve practice and education for RT students.
Recommended Citation
Dyke, Jacqueline, "An Exploration of the State of Practice of Recreational Therapy Within Substance Use Disorder Treatment" (2023). All Dissertations. 3444.
https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_dissertations/3444
Author ORCID Identifier
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2435-7728