Art Therapy for
Addiction

Benefits of Art Therapy for Addiction Recovery and Mental Health

Art and creative expression have been utilized in treatment settings for more than 70 years to help alleviate symptoms of mental illness and substance abuse.

Art therapy works by engaging the mind and body in unique ways that cannot be accessed through verbal processing. [2] By activating the right hemisphere of the brain, providing sensory input, and offering alternate modes of communication, art therapy helps individuals process their thoughts and feelings in new ways.

Research suggests that creating art and engaging in the creative process can result in many benefits for those with mental health disorders or addiction, including:

• Breaking through denial
• Providing a communication outlet
• Making addiction treatment easier
• Decreasing shame [1]

Like many creative therapies, art therapy and artistic expression have also been shown to boost self-esteem and self-awareness, improve social skills, relieve stress, and contribute to a heightened state of mental well-being. [3] It can be particularly useful for those who have a difficult time expressing their thoughts and emotions verbally, or who find relief and joy in the creative process.

Types of Mental Illness an Art Therapist Can Treat

Substance abuse patients often present with co-occurring mental health disorders. There are many mental illnesses that art therapists are trained to recognize and treat. These include: [5]

• Autism
• Anxiety
• Cognitive impairment
• Depression
• Post-traumatic stress disorder

Substance abuse and addiction often stem from underlying mental and emotional issues. This could be past trauma, overwhelming stress, or even mental health conditions like anxiety.

Talking about these issues can be tough. It can be hard to explain what’s going on inside, and some people may not have healthy ways to deal with difficult emotions. They might turn to drugs or alcohol to numb the pain.

Art therapy rehabilitation can help.

Art therapists can support the substance abuse treatment process by offering alternative ways to understand and process emotional and psychological symptoms. They are trained in identifying and treating mental health problems and substance use disorder in innovative ways that supplement other treatments, such as talk therapy.

What to Expect in an Art Therapy Session

Infinite Recovery provides art therapy classes every Saturday as part of our comprehensive substance abuse treatment programs. Our art therapists utilize many different art therapy activities for addiction to help clients get in touch with their creative sides and process their thoughts and feelings.

Each activity is designed to activate the senses in a way that allows for emotional processing or emotional release as well as having an overall calming effect.

During an art therapy session, a therapist or facilitator will provide a general overview of the activity and provide instruction on how to use the materials. However, they will also allow plenty of room for creative interpretation and for clients to customize the process in a way that feels best to them. One of the benefits of art therapy is that there really is no “wrong” way to do it.

Our art therapists are experts. They have a master’s degree and follow strict guidelines to make sure your sessions are safe and effective.

Here’s an overview of what you can expect in a session:

• You might draw a picture of yourself, make a collage about your goals, or try drawing with your non-dominant hand.
• The therapist might ask you about your artwork, but sometimes the focus is on simply enjoying the creative process.
• Insights gained from art therapy can be further explored in talk therapy sessions.