HABRI Central

Adolescent substance use and misuse continues to rise in the United States of America. Psychological, behavioral, and physical health comorbid with substance use concerns is rising commensurate with illicit drug use. Traditional or standard treatment approaches have varying levels of efficacy, though treatment outcomes remain moderate at best. In order to enhance the treatment outcomes, including treatment engagement, completion and efficacy, standard treatment strategies need to be enhanced. The purpose of this paper is to posit the integration of equine-assisted therapy within choice theory/reality therapy-based treatment to enhance the theoretical underpinnings of choice theory, thus enhancing treatment related outcomes for adolescent addiction programs.

Researchers should cite this work as follows:

1. Addiction
2. Adolescents
3. Animal-assisted therapies
4. Equine-assisted learning
5. Horses
6. Mammals
7. open access