They are then guided to think about the most significant events of their lives, both good and bad. This can include major job changes, meeting an important friend, graduation from college, or the death of a family member. As patients fill in where the milestones are on the timeline, they also draw symbols that represent the event. There has been a multitude of studies that show that connection to others within our community is vital to our mental and emotional well-being. The vulnerable state that many people experience when starting with art creation provides fertile ground for developing social ties that might otherwise be stunted by the presence of personal defense mechanisms and mistrust. Taking part in art therapy can provide an outlet for that energy and help people to focus on something positive instead.
There are countless studies2 that have proven the efficacy of art therapy in relation to mental health and substance abuse disorders. There is definitive proof that art therapy can help people deal with many problems, including emotional distress, emotional trauma, mental disorders, and substance abuse disorders. You don’t need special tools or a deep understanding of the arts to get started in an art therapy program for substance abuse disorders. To start art therapy and really have the program make a difference, patients need to be committed to getting clean and staying sober.
Addressing Addiction
Many addicts suffer from emotional trauma, which is often the reason for their substance abuse. One of several options for addiction treatment, art therapy for drug and alcohol addiction recovery can provide a creative outlet for addicts to express their thoughts and emotions. Conventional treatment approaches have often been criticized for failing to address women’s unique needs, and research suggests that CAM could be a useful way to account for such needs (Brady & Ashley, 2005; Feen-Calligan et al., 2008). Indeed, past research has suggested the need for treatment models that are tailored to adolescents’ unique needs (Vourakis, 2005). Music therapy is also asserted to be particularly helpful for adolescents and women (American Music Therapy Association, 2014; Cevasco et al., 2005; Feen-Calligan et al., 2008). Furthermore, Doak (2003) finds that adolescents, in particular, use music and drugs for similar objectives (e.g. reduce psychological distress), suggesting particular utility for music therapy in adolescent populations.
Art therapy is a type of experiential therapy introduced in the 1950s that is widely used as a complementary and alternative treatment for substance abuse. Art therapy can be used in inpatient or outpatient treatment, but it is often used to complement a 12-step program in aftercare. Art therapy is conducted by professional art therapists and is used to build self-esteem and self-awareness, enhance social skills, help individuals process their emotions, and reduce stress and anxiety. Art therapy is accessible to anyone regardless of skill level because the emphasis is not on the final product, but rather on the process of creative expression. Art therapy is used to help a range of individuals seeking emotional, creative, and spiritual growth. Art therapy often incorporates techniques such as painting, finger painting, drawing, sculpting, and carving.
The First Step Series
CAM includes diverse treatments, such as art therapy, music therapy, hypnotherapy, acupuncture, and herbal remedies. Art therapy can be an effective component of a comprehensive treatment program, such as the individualized care found art therapy for addiction ideas at Gateway. We believe in tailoring our treatment to the unique needs of each patient who comes to us for help. If you would like to learn more about our holistic approach to addiction recovery, we invite you to contact us today.
Art therapy has a unique ability to help address feelings of shame and denial, as it has been proven to help break down resistance to addiction treatment and build motivation for recovery. An art therapist might use fluid mediums to help patients experience the sensation of being out of control to help prompt admission of the need for sobriety. Art therapy for drug and alcohol addiction recovery can reduce anxiety, build self-esteem, and give addicts a tool to release their emotions in a safe space without turning to destructive behavior. Patients can also learn to understand themselves better through examining their own art and engaging in meaningful dialogue with an art therapist about their work.
How to Begin a Career as an Art Therapist
Give them a moment to reflect on what activities, people, or things help them feel good. These can be as simple as notes on scraps of paper that mention goals the person wants to achieve or affirmations that evoke positive emotions. Pleasant memories with loved ones and favorite places and things are our cornerstones, evoking positive, sentimental emotions that promote healthy recovery. Besides, a self-care box reminds individuals of positive self-affirmations and goals, keeping them on the right path. Using a creative approach, participants are encouraged to express their emotions and connect inward to achieve a deeper understanding of themselves and the origins of their addictions.
We used two dependent variables for our analyses – art therapy and music therapy. Interviewees indicated whether or not these approaches were used in the organization. Treatment programs that used art therapy or music therapy, respectively, were coded “1” and non-users were coded “0” on the dichotomous variables.
The History of Art Therapy
Recent research suggests art therapy may help individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia see improvement of some of their symptoms, although trials are still being conducted. It’s important to remind participants that this activity is not about who can draw the best and that there’s no wrong way to draw zentangles. The participants will put together inspirational words or phrases that they feel define their core values. Glue the phrases onto the cardboard to create a collage of positive, self-healing words. Negative, judgmental thoughts can cloud the mind, creating a harsh environment in an individual’s head and hindering recovery.
This can be anything from old letters, movies or bus tickets, photos, etc. As they fill the jar with these emotion-evoking items, they’ll remember positive moments in their lives and bring up good sentiments. For adults, it can be intimidating to try, especially if youve never done art before, but we work with them, encourage them and engage them in the creative process.