Self-esteem and leisure patterns of persons in a residential chemical dependency treatment program.

Occupational therapists who work with persons who are alcohol and drug dependent often provide services to enhance self-esteem and to promote healthy leisure activities. This article describes a study conducted in a residential chemical dependency program with 101 subjects. Each subject was assessed for selfesteem and leisure interest patterns. Although for the entire group self-esteem was not found to be strongly correlated with a variety of and involvement in leisure activities, decreased past involvement in activities was found to be prevalent in those subjects with a low self-esteem. Treatment and evaluation implications for the occupational therapist in a chemical dependency setting are discussed.