Art Therapy for Drug Addiction

In deciding to gain treatment for addiction, addicts have more options today than ever before. Beaches Recovery in Jacksonville, FL provides art therapy for drug addiction, as one of a multitude of recovery treatment options. Usually used in combination with other therapies, art therapy provides addicts with a medium for self-expression and healing.

If you’d like to know more about art therapy in addiction treatment, call us today at 866.605.0532.

Types of Art Therapy for Drug Addiction

Art therapy allows patients to use their imagination and creativity to express their emotions within a healthy and productive art form. Art therapy enables patients to communicate more effectively, better relating to personal experiences of addiction and other aspects of their lives.

Many forms of art therapy for drug addiction may be used. Some of these forms include:

• Painting: This is a popular form of art therapy that is useful for expressing feelings and emotions.
• Drawing: This is a form of art therapy that is often used with people who have experienced trauma. It can help them express their feelings and thoughts in a safe and controlled environment. Drawing can also help to improve communication and problem-solving skills.
• Sculpting: Working with clay or other soft materials can help someone express emotions that may be difficult to put into words.
• Dancing: Dancing is an excellent way to express oneself, and it can be a great form of art therapy. When dancing, people can let go of their inhibitions and emotions, which can be helpful when dealing with addiction.
• Acting: This is where the person does scenes from a play or movie related to their addiction. It can be a way to examine issues at some emotional distance through another character’s eyes.
• Playing music: Playing music is a form of art therapy that can help reduce stress and anxiety. It can also help people to focus on their emotions and express themselves.
• Poetry: One form of art therapy that can be useful to help those struggling with addiction is poetry. This type of therapy can help individuals process their thoughts and emotions and provide a creative outlet.

The Science Behind Art Therapy

Art therapy is an expressive group therapy where individuals suffering from addiction can freely convey their innermost thoughts and feelings. This form of expression empowers them to communicate things they may not be able to verbalize. Many people find art therapy for drug and alcohol addiction helpful. This is particularly true for those who with a history of abuse.

There are three techniques in use in art therapy for drug addiction. Those include:

• Gestalt: As part of these methods, the therapist helps addicted individuals recognize and work through feelings and experiences.
• Active imagination: This free association form of art enables addicts to create without overthinking, opening them up to greater self-awareness through introspection and discussion.
• Third Hand: Within this method, the therapist helps to produce the art while addicts are still in control of the overall direction of the creative work.

Gaining Art Therapy for Drug Addiction

A great means of working out experiences, issues and emotions that contributed to addiction, art therapy is a safe form of nonverbal expression. Some addicted individuals are particularly wary of verbal communication about their past or feelings. Therefore, art therapy can provide a means of opening up and relieving the burden of those unexpressed issues.

If you or your loved one need freedom from drug addiction and are interested in using art therapy as part of recovery, call Beaches Recovery today at 866.605.0532. Your new life awaits and is one you can both imagine and design through art therapy.