Week 5: AT Research

Topic: Pick one of the outcome areas of AT research and link them to research in one or more of the following areas: Abnormal, Behavioral Neuroscience, Cognitive, Developmental, Learning, and Social.

In Adventure Therapy: Theory, Research, and Practice, Gass, Gillis, and Russell include the results of a few studies that showed a decrease in client substance abuse after an AT experience (2012). The key word here is ‘few’. The authors make it clear that more research with greater significance must be obtained to understand the relationship between AT and clients with substance abuse. With much time and attention, AT researchers will better understand this relationship, the AT elements that impact substance abuse reduction most, and how to best implement this knowledge and form programs that consistently report significant research results.

In chapter 13, the authors mention the “black box effect in AT research.” Essentially, clients enter an AT program, the “black box,” and exit a changed person. It is clear that the client has been transformed, however placing a finger on the exact elements of the AT experience which facilitated the transformation proves difficult.

In a best-case scenario: a client enters a program with a drug abuse problem and exits with the skills necessary to abstain from drugs, live a fulfilling life, and become a positive force in society. 

In a best-case scenario: the AT program providing this experience knows the exact aspects of the experience that facilitated the transformation and knows how to adapt them to other clients to produce positive results time and time again. 

 AT has great potential for clients with substance abuse problems due to the fact that the population with the greatest need for treatment falls in the age range of most AT programs. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Drug use is highest among people in their late teens and twenties. In 2011, 23.8 percent of 18- to 20-year-olds reported using an illicit drug in the past month (Drug Facts, 2012).”

From much research, the National Institute on Drug Abuse also reports “Principles of Effective Treatment”.  The nature of substance abuse and its effects on the individual are explained in regard to effective treatment. The various principles are easily linked to each of these schools of psychology: 

• Abnormal: 
• Principle 9. "Many drug-addicted individuals also have other mental disorders."

• Behavioral Neuroscience:
• Principle 1. "Addiction is a complex but treatable disease that affects brain function and behavior."

• Cognitive: 
• Principle 3: "Treatment needs to be readily available."
• When individuals think they may want help, it needs to be available because before long, the individual may reconsider. 

• Developmental: 
• Principle 8: "An individual's treatment and services plan must be assessed continually and modified as necessary to ensure that it meets his or her changing needs."

• Learning: 
• Principle 5. "Remaining in treatment for an adequate period of time is critical." 
• Three months or longer is advised for substance abuse treatment.

• Social: 
• Principle 6. "Behavioral therapies—including individual, family, or group counseling—are the most commonly used forms of drug abuse treatment." 

Overall, it is clear that AT research has a long way to go in determining the magic inside the black box. Multiple schools of psychology and respective research need to be in constant consideration and regularly utilized in the ongoing development of AT research and program development. It seems clear that the major difficulty will be determining the most successful practices and treatment programs for varied individuals. Between client factors of age, drug(s) of choice, co-occuring mental health diagnosis, family, education, and other demographics and AT therapeutic factors of instructor, therapist, location, activities, and discussion AT researchers have many variables to take into account and twiddle around with in the black box until the box turns crystal clear.

                                                                                                                  Picture done by me in Paintbrush

References:

Gass, M. A., Gillis, H. L., & Russell, K. C. (2012). Adventure therapy: Theory, research, and practice. New York: Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group.

National Institute on Drug Abuse (December 2012). Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide (Third Edition). Retrieved from: http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/principles-effective-treatment

National Institute on Drug Abuse (December 2012). Drug Facts: Nationwide Trends. Retrieved from: http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/nationwide-trends