A program that encapsulates all these disciplines gives the patient more tools to self-reflect and develop an education to improve their lives beyond simply giving them medication. 
The last two years, from the start of the pandemic to now, have contributed to a notable deterioration of some people’s mental health, which can lead to an increased chance of drugs and alcohol abuse. People dealing with mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder while dealing with addiction are becoming more common. Our treatment program, Back2Basics Outdoor Adventure Recovery, is seeing more and more of this complicated situation. If paths to addiction are becoming more multifaceted, then treatments must adapt and become more multifaceted. Qualified treatment programs should stop just looking at patients already in the throes of addiction, but be more proactive by considering accepting patients with mental health issues that correlate with a higher risk for addiction but are not at that point yet. This means potentially accepting patients who have mental health conditions but are in the early stages of addiction or who may have no drug or alcohol addiction at all.
Many patients with underlying mental health issues can benefit from long-term treatment programs even if you would not label them as addicted to drugs or alcohol. Being proactive and taking preventative measures can lead to better mental health outcomes and help patients get ahead of negative behaviors that can lead to addiction. Ideally, you want to intervene during less dire circumstances.
Treatment programs can benefit people with underlying mental health issues because it gives them access to many of the same resources that benefit those looking to treat their addiction. A patient dealing with a mental health disorder can benefit from having access to a primary therapist and an individualized treatment plan that takes into account their initial diagnosis and problem behaviors. An inpatient treatment program can also give these patients a chance to participate in multiple groups a day to build camaraderie with other program participants and practice coping skills. They would also have the opportunity to participate in process groups and feedback groups. These socialization therapies help those struggling with mental health issues similar to the way they help those dealing with addiction. People with debilitating mental health disorders tend to isolate, and rebuilding those social connections can help remedy depression and anxiety.
Outdoor adventure therapy programs offer those struggling to maintain good mental health a holistic treatment program that interweaves physical activity, diet, community and mental health treatments. A program that encapsulates all these disciplines gives the patient more tools to self-reflect and develop an education to improve their lives beyond simply giving them medication.
Outdoor adventure therapy is a benefit to people struggling with mental health because being outdoors is a benefit to mental health. Studies show that exposure to natural environments can be associated with mental health benefits and proximity to green spaces is associated with lower levels of stress and reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety.
The outdoors puts patients in a setting that allows them to develop resiliency by taking them on challenging outdoor excursions that show them that they can succeed at difficult things.
Treatment programs such as outdoor adventure therapy should take a more proactive approach in the way they treat patients, and we should be open to seeing the benefits these programs can have on patients who might not be traditionally struggling with addiction. Patients dealing with mental health issues and early addictive behaviors or no addictive behaviors at all can find benefits in these treatment programs. Treat these issues early before they manifest themselves as severe drug and alcohol addiction. FBN
By Laini Roberts
Laini Roberts is a clinical therapist at Back2Basics Outdoor Adventure Recovery. She has been working within the social work profession for five years within a variety of settings. She has experience working with individuals, groups, families and parent coaching. She is trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), as well as being a Certified Clinical Adventure Therapist. Laini completed her bachelor’s degree in Social Work and Psychology at Bethany College, and her master’s degree in Social Work with an emphasis on mental health and substance misuse from The Ohio State University.
