Expand Positive Recreation Opportunities
Introductory Paragraph
Positive recreation and activity may benefit mental health and protect against substance use. For those with substance use disorder finding positive leisure and recreation activities may promote healing and reduce mental health and substance use stressors. Engaging in positive recreation activities in general reinforces positive health and social well-being.
Key Information
Finding activities that you enjoy that don't involve substance use is an important part of recovery and play a role in relapse prevention. Positive recreation reinforces social and community supports that enhance and support recovery.
Relevant Research
Associations Between Multiple Leisure Activities, Mental Health and Substance Use Among Adolescents in Denmark: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study [1]
The Dynamic Association between Healthy Leisure and Substance Use in South African Adolescents: A State and Trait Perspective[2]
Impactful Federal, State, and Local Policies
Please list any federal, state, or local laws, policies, or regulations that support this topic or ones that could be a possible barrier. Are there laws or policies other states should know about and replicate for success?
Available Tools and Resources
Using Sport for Drug Abuse Prevention Handbook for the use of sport to prevent substance use problems among youth.[3]
Have Fun in Recovery Staying Sober and Having Fun[4]
Recreational Therapy Practice Recreational therapy also referred to as therapeutic recreation is a type of therapy that involves using social activities to help promote the overall health and wellness of individuals with disabling conditions, addictions, and illnesses.[5]
Promising Practices
New Choices-a substance-abuse recovery program with staff who specialize in treating adolescents age 13 to 17, and now, young adults up to 21.[6]
Sans Bar Sans Bar started a revolution by challenging the way we think about socializing and creating community.[7]
Great Lakes Recovery Center Expanding Coping Skills Through Recreation[8]
Sources
- ↑ https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnbeh.2020.593340/full
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4059549/
- ↑ https://www.unodc.org/pdf/youthnet/handbook_sport_english.pdf
- ↑ https://sscouncil.org/2019/12/having-fun-in-recovery/
- ↑ https://www.americasrehabcampuses.com/blog/drug-addiction/exercise-and-recreational-therapy-for-addiction-recovery/
- ↑ https://www.catholiccharitiestrenton.org/addiction_teens_expanding_age_21/?print=print
- ↑ https://www.thesansbar.com/press-and-praise
- ↑ https://www.mibluesperspectives.com/2020/09/22/active-recovery-grant-funding-expands-recreational-opportunities-at-teen-recovery-center/