What is Art Therapy?
Art therapy is defined as:
Individuals participating in it will learn many things about themselves by expressing their feelings through their artwork. Also, art therapy can be an effective supplement in a comprehensive addiction treatment process. Plus, it allows recovering addicts to learn new skills that can help them manage their addiction.
How Does It Work?
Art therapy uses three methods to help individuals overcome their problems: gestalt methods, active imagination, and the “third-hand” approach.
- Gestalt Methods — With this technique, the therapist helps the individual to recognize their current feelings and problems. The person will create a piece of artwork. The piece is analyzed to find deeper meanings and inner thought processes.
- Active Imagination — Individuals use their artwork as a starting point. They let their minds wander and see where their art goes. The artwork can reveal a deeper message about the person’s true feelings. The active imagination technique can help to uncover underlying problems.
- “Third-hand” Approach — Individuals create artwork, but it can include help from the therapist. This approach helps people who are unsure of the process to create the best forms of artwork that they can.
What Can Be Learned from Art Therapy?
- Self-Expression — Art can help people express their emotions in a way that words cannot. Some people may feel uncomfortable talking about a certain subject. But, they could voice their feelings about it in the artwork they produce. Furthermore, the individual’s art can be a reflection of their inner feelings. It allows them to discover many unknown things about themselves.
- Creativity — Art allows people to express themselves in ways that they never thought possible. Things such as mixing various colors to testing new textures can be a rewarding experience. Also, art therapy can help people of all artistic backgrounds bring out their inner creativity.
- Stress Management — When people become stressed, they tend to find some outlet for it (healthy or unhealthy). Art is a healthy outlet for stress, and this concept is learned by participating in art therapy. Learning how to manage stress healthily is vital to managing addictions.
- Communication Skills — This activity can be a group or individual process. When creating artwork with a few people around, individuals will be able to communicate with them and enhance their social skills. Since addiction often results in relationship problems, group art therapy can help them learn how to communicate more effectively.
How Can Art Therapy Help an Addict?
All in all, the many skills learned in art therapy can help addicted individuals. Different art therapy ideas are effective forms of therapy to help people come out of their addiction because they provide them with the tools they need to recognize their feelings. Art therapy allows individuals to express their emotions in a way that they typically couldn’t with an everyday conversation so that it can be beneficial in the addiction treatment process.
Not only can art therapy help drug or alcohol addicts, but it can also assist them in preventing relapse in the future. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), 40% to 60% of people who were once addicted to substances will relapse in the future. Art therapy equips individuals with the skills they need so that they can manage their drug cravings, triggers, or distractions in the future. It is beneficial in helping addicts overcome addiction as well as prevent addiction from occurring again once their treatment has ended.
Art Therapy at A Forever Recovery
Are you or a loved one is suffering from addiction? If so, you might be interested in programs like art therapy. Call A Forever Recovery at our toll-free number today. We’ll get you started on your journey to a healthy lifestyle. You’ll find that our program is flexible and can adapt to your specific needs. We offer a wide range of program options such as a Self-Help Track, Faith-Based Track, or Cognitive Track. Specifically, your daily activities can include group and individual counseling, skills training, nutritional guidance, meditation, role-playing groups, and much more. Our goal is to help you heal mentally, physically, and spiritually for lasting recovery.
A Forever Recovery wants to help those suffering from addiction to find the best treatment and recovery options for them so that they can maintain a substance-free lifestyle. Call A Forever Recovery today!
- ncbi.nlm.nih.gov – The Use of Art and Music Therapy in Substance Abuse Treatment Programs