A Systematic Review and Critique of Recreational Therapy-Specific Literature Regarding Substance Use Disorders
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18666/TRJ-2024-V58-I4-12283Keywords:
evidence based practices, outcomes, Recreational Therapy, Substance Use Disorder, systematic reviewAbstract
Just over four out of 10 Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (CTRS®s) identify that they work with people who have substance use disorder (SUD); however, there are few SUD-specific recreational therapy (RT) resources available to guide practice with this population. A systematic review and critique of SUD-specific RT literature was conducted to examine the basis for the current state of practice of RT within SUD treatment. Peer-reviewed journal articles from 1981-2021 and current RT textbooks and manuals from four publishers were reviewed to highlight the existing evidence base for SUD-specific RT practice, and critiqued for shortcomings. Gaps and needs in research are discussed, as well as recommendations for the development of SUD-specific evidence-based practices in RT.
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