Art Therapy in Recovery: Using the Power of Creativity to Treat Addiction : Art has been a form of self-expression for years now. Meant to bring discovery, meaning, and joy, people use art therapy to express their deep emotions, feelings, thoughts, and memories without being constrained by words in order to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Art therapy also achieves different things for different people. While some use it to communicate with the world, others like therapists use it for treatment, rehabilitation, psychotherapy, and as one of the counselling therapies for addiction recovery.
While the British Association of Art Therapists defines art therapy as a form of psychotherapy that uses art as its primary mode of expression and communication, another study by National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) reports that creative art therapies are helpful in treating many aspects of addiction, such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and mood disorders.
Also, art therapy, being a therapeutic technique, help individuals:
- Cope with mental health issues, such as trauma and grief
- Explore and understand their emotions
- Manage behaviour
- Increase self-esteem
- Develop interpersonal skills
- Achieve insight
Types of Art Therapy
Some common forms of art therapy include:
- Colouring
- Sculpturing
- Collage
- Drawing
- Painting
- Graphic novels
- Digital Art
- Photography
- Scrapbook
These forms of art therapies for addiction recovery ensure that clients create something that represents their thoughts. Also, some art therapies can have a specific assignment. In the addiction recovery process, the patients can be asked to draw something that answers the question of the therapist. For example, if the therapists ask what your safe space looks like or what your ideal self would look like, the patients have to create an art piece that answers that question. Through these artworks, psychology experts or art therapists can look for themes and conflicts to read patients’ thoughts and behaviours.
Also, art therapy can take place in a variety of settings, such as schools, group homes, homeless shelters, art studios, colleges and universities, private therapy offices, hospitals, wellness centres, women’s shelters, senior centres, and community centres etc.
Benefits of Art Therapy in Addiction Recovery
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Explore and Release Emotions
People who indulge themselves in art therapy get a chance to explore and release their strongest emotions without using any words. Art therapy is a creative platform where people throw all their emotions on the drawing sheets using colours that they often struggle to share or express verbally. Through art therapy, people communicate in a way that feels safe. Also, creative art therapy helps regulate depression and anxiety.
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Learn New Skills
Through art therapy, you can explore new skills and discover talents that you didn’t know you had. For example, many people in art classes admitted that they have drawn something for the first time or that they didn’t know that sculpting can be something that they can be passionate about. Art therapy thus fosters creativity and self-expression. With different forms of art therapy available, you can choose what suits you the best.
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Personal Development and Improved Self-Esteem
Art therapy is much more than just keeping aside negative feelings and experiences. When you channel the creative side in you via art therapy, you learn to explore and visualise your authentic self. It also helps create a sense of accomplishment, self-awareness, and joy, which is responsible for increased self-esteem and self-worth.
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Reduce Stress
Art therapy provides a mental escape from feelings of stress and anxiety. Because art therapy or creating an art piece requires immense concentration and attention to detail, it creates a healthy distraction from being overwhelmed and developing intrusive thoughts.
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It is Therapeutic
Along with being colourful and interesting, the process of creating art is very meditative and calming. When you indulge yourself in creating an artistic piece, it helps people in addiction recovery, removing stress and anxiety. Also, art allows you to express your thoughts and feelings in a unique way and that too without being judged.
Help is Available
Multiple therapies for addiction recovery are available for those undergoing substance use disorder treatment and one of them is formalised art therapy. Art therapy is a psychological treatment integral to the healing process. Art therapy helps people dealing with addiction create new levels of self-understanding and reflection. It not only brings out your creativity but also helps you build social connection and revitalization. Some people in recovery also believe that having a creative platform also helps them reduce stress and the temptation to use substances.
To know more about art therapy or to participate in one, you must look for an art therapist in your community or enquire in a luxury rehab in the UK to discuss treatment plans.
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Art Therapy in Recovery: Using the Power of Creativity to Treat Addiction
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