This study looks at how organised recreational activities can contribute to making the lives of vulnerable young people who have a background of drug and alcohol use more meaningful. Recreational activities are not typically viewed as a strategy to addiction treatment. Water sports, in this case powerboating and sailing take young people out of their comfort zone and challenge them to test their limits and boundaries. For a young person whose life is in turmoil recreational activities can be used as an alternative treatment therapy. By implementing a power boating and sailing programme along with continued support a change can appear evident in the lives of young people. Emphasis on recovery rather than addiction has been a major influence on the success of this course. Using recreational activities to support young people gives them the opportunity to have an outlet in which they can achieve.