Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Picasso, Monet, Michelangelo, Kandinsky, O’Keefe, Dal — they were all great artists. Their creations have inspired millions of people, and their works hang in the best museums in the world. Did you know that discussing and interpreting art, including artists like these, can be a form of therapy in substance abuse treatment? Art therapy is another type of therapy that can help those in treatment to heal with creativity.
How Art Therapy is Used in Treatment
Art therapy has been used in the treatment of mental health ailments since the 1950s. Rather than just create art or talk about it, art therapy is conducted by a licensed therapist. The purpose is to use art to support personal and relational goals, as well as increase the ability for communication of one’s feelings, according to Bitonte and De Santo’s Art Therapy: An Underutilized, yet Effective Tool.
Using various methods, those in treatment are given creative tasks that can help them improve both cognitive and sensory-motor functions. Through the creative process, they can develop emotional resilience, increase self-awareness and self-esteem, and promote personal insight. Art therapy can help resolve conflicts and help participants to increase social and communication skills.
Learning Expression Through Art
For some, communication is difficult. Others may find that after an extended period of time in active substance abuse, their communication skills have waned. Art therapy allows creative, non-verbal communication and enhances the overall therapeutic process.
Some experiences may be too painful to talk about. Using art therapy can unlock the pain and allow participants to express the pain related to those experiences. Art therapy can also unlock emotions and help process feelings in ways that traditional therapy may not be able to access. By using imagination and creativity, art therapy can increase vulnerability and expression and promote healing.
Types of Artistic Activities
Therapists will use many types of media during art therapy. Each activity has a therapeutic purpose, though; it is not just craft hour. Some of the different types of activities used to engage and heal include:
- Incident drawings – draw an incident that occurred during substance use
- Drawing or painting emotions – helps recognize and get in touch with emotions
- Stress painting – using painting as a way to release stress
- Art journal – documents the individual healing process through art
- Creating sculptures – allows a tactile experience to heal
- Discussing and interpreting existing art – group experience to increase communication and access emotions
The concept is by using different methods, each individual will benefit from the therapeutic process. The specific projects allow the art therapist to examine different areas of the treatment process.
While art therapy can be done individually or in a group, it can be particularly successful within group therapy. Participants do not need to have any artistic skills or experience; rather, they are encouraged to participate at whatever level they are comfortable with. The goal is the therapy; the creative process is simply the means to accomplish it.
Benefits of Art Therapy
According to the Journal of Addictions Nursing, these are just some of the specific benefits of using art therapy in addiction treatment:
- Motivation to stay in treatment
- Decreasing denial
- Reduces stress levels
- Providing an outlet for communication
- Decreasing shame
- Motivation to change
- Inspiring a move from reflection to action
While all of these are goals of therapy within treatment, art therapy can help participants reach these and other goals with greater success while also making the process more enjoyable. Art therapy is particularly successful with women and adolescents and has also been shown to be effective with those who have suffered physical or sexual abuse.
Art therapy can make all the difference for those struggling with motivation or committing to stay in treatment. Those who are creative find value and healing, as do those who struggle to express themselves or communicate verbally.
Why Art Therapy?
Art therapy is a complementary therapy, meaning that it is not meant to replace evidence-based therapies for addiction treatment. Instead, art therapy is meant to supplement traditional therapy and provide an alternative method for healing. When used together with group or individual therapy, art can enhance the process and increase the benefits of treatment.
While some supplies are needed, art therapy does not need to be a particularly expensive form of therapy. Activities can be simple and low-cost and still be effective. Art itself is not the goal, as projects do not need to be museum-worthy. The goal is healing through art. Art therapy can be life-changing for those who participate and even inspire a new hobby in recovery.
Art therapy is a complementary therapy that aims to help with self-expression and communication in treatment. Using a variety of activities and media, the benefits range from increased motivation to stay in treatment to decreasing denial and shame. Through creative expression, art therapy can help reach those who may not otherwise open up in traditional therapy. Rancho Milagro Recovery is a residential treatment center that is located on a sprawling ranch in Temecula, California. Come and be inspired by our many friendly rescue animals, and enjoy the seclusion in a natural setting. Call us to find out more about our facility and our compassionate staff. We understand treatment for substance abuse because we have been there. This family-owned facility is easily accessible yet remote enough to help you get away from the daily grind. Let us help you find your healing. Your recovery from addiction begins by calling (951) 526-4582 today.