Creative Sobriety

Using Art Therapy to Treat Addiction

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April 2020

UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF ART THERAPY

Art therapy is simply the act of using art in any form of treatment. Art therapy can come in handy in the treatment of addiction, mental health problems and a host of others.

The major aim of art therapy is enabling the individual to communicate better when it comes to relating experiences associated with his or her health problems.

Also, art therapy equips the individual with the ability to properly manage past unpleasant experiences and live beyond the stigma associated with mental health problems and addiction.

One of the major aspects of art therapy is painting. During the course of painting, the individual is allowed to paint all his or her emotions on paper. Now, the individual does not have to be a professional painter, he or she would be given guidelines on how to go about it.

Painting helps the individual too brighten up and have a new approach to life. In addition, people in therapy who paint are boosting their self-esteem unknown to them. They are also helping themselves to reduce anxiety and depression.

Drawing is another major aspect of art therapy. During the course of drawing, the individual makes use of lines and symbol for the purpose of communication and expression of ideas and feelings.

Drawing during art therapy allows you to express yourself with the use of drawing instruments.

If the individual is someone who loves drawing, he or she can develop the skills and employ it in the management of common mental health problems and addiction. He or she would use drawings to express his or her emotions instead of indulging in addiction.

Art therapy is an important tool that comes in handy when the psychological aspect of recovery is to be treated. When the individual finds it difficult to vocalize some experiences, it can be done via art and this has proved to be efficacious.

When art therapy is combined with recovery services like family counseling, group and individual therapy and a host of others, it becomes a great way to boost the healing phase.  



HOW ART THERAPY HELPS ADDICTION TREATMENT

Art therapy is a treatment process which assist in helping addicted individuals to recuperate.

Art therapy is therapeutic in nature and individuals who take part in it, employ the creative pattern and process that comes with artwork to express their emotions and feelings. 

Art therapy comes in handy when you want to handle emotional conflicts, personal improvement, behavior management, mental health treatment and control of addiction.

Art therapy helps you to understand visual interaction. At the start of a rehab, it could be challenging for you.

However, when you remain consistent and with the help of people who are around you, you will be fine. Art therapy can be regarded as a suitable act of communication and it appropriately replaces vocal communication.

So, people who have problems communicating would find art therapy as a great alternative, particularly those who find it difficult to narrate what they are going through.

Also, the use of art therapy ensures individual breakthrough. People who are going through unfavorable situations will find art therapy a proficient means of visual communication.

Someone who exhibits positive recovery signs during the course of art therapy will definitely want to know more about himself or herself. In addition, he or she will learn to put trust in therapists.

In addition to this, addicted individuals who undergo art therapy will have a better form of self-reflection. For instance, you might be given images illustrations where the negative and unpleasant effects of addiction would be displayed.

Having a graphic representation of these would give you more reasons why you should not indulge in your addiction.

For people who do not have a good dose of self-confidence, art therapy helps to build it. If you observe closely, you will notice that people who do not think well of themselves are those who get addicted.

With art therapy, they are bound to get better with themselves, and they would carry on with their lives as usual.

Emotional restoration is one of the benefits of art therapy and this helps an individual recovering from addiction to readjust positively.




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