A form of holistic therapy, creative arts therapy is sometimes used in combination with traditional treatments for addiction recovery. People with substance use disorders benefit from creative arts therapy because it allows them to express their deepest thoughts, feelings, and emotions in a nonjudgmental, healthy way. Often these emotions and feelings are too difficult and painful to verbalize. Creative arts gives individuals recovering from drug or alcohol addiction the opportunity to express and work through these feelings so they can attain lasting sobriety.
Many published studies support using creative arts therapies. Research shows creative art therapies enhance addiction treatments, reduce trauma symptoms, and help individuals process traumatic events. They encourage healthy coping skills, boost self-esteem and self-awareness, and improve concentration and coordination. The person learns to express themselves in new non-verbal ways, increasing their creativity and confidence.
Additional benefits of creative arts therapies include:
Improving communication skills, social skills, and social integration and bonding
Providing a means of self-expression, communication, positive engagement, and emotional support
Increasing feelings of relaxation, calm, peacefulness, and satisfaction
Reducing feelings of anxiety and stress
Boosting mood and increasing mental skills
Gaining insight into past events and experiences while attaining personal growth
With the professional therapist guiding them through their sessions, the person in recovery will eventually find they can talk about their painful experiences instead of using alcohol or drugs to escape from them.