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How Art Therapy heals Addiction
Art therapy for addiction treatment | Healthbiztips
Did you know that art therapy has been used to treat addiction in as early as 1950s.
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| Art therapy for addiction treatment | Healthbiztips photo credit: Hin Bong Yeung @hinbong @unsplash |
@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan
Art therapy for addiction is a therapeutic technique that offers individuals a creative and positive outlet to communicate their thoughts and feelings which ultimately lets them overcome their addiction and bad behavior. It is a form of psychotherapy that is done under the supervision of a therapist.
Addiction, especially to tobacco, illegal substance, and regulated drug is a health problem that's a global threat. Treatment and rehabilitation for those people afflicted remains a challenge.
A lot of smokers find it hard to quit their detrimental addiction to nicotine.
Using art therapy is an old and effective strategy to fight addiction. It is used by rehabilitation facilities in addition to other forms of therapy to help an individual to eliminate an addiction.
Expressing creativity fosters a good mental health. It's application can not be underestimated.
People who want to get rid of addiction finds art therapy as an outlet of their emotions and a way for them to express their thoughts. Art therapy remarkably reduces anxiety, stress, and depression.
Art therapy can be a valuable coping mechanism that individuals can employ to lessen the urges brought about by their addiction.
It has several forms
Art therapy to treat addiction can take several forms such as drawing, painting, sculpting, dancing, singing, and playing musical instrument.
The purpose of art therapy
Through engaging in an artistic work, the person not only is able to communicate feelings that are often hard to put into words, with proper guidance, he can also gain valuable insights into the inner workings of his mind, thereby, know himself better.
In art therapy, you are not alone.
Art therapy treatment for addiction is guided by a therapist who helps individuals interpret their artistic work and find hidden meaning that are often overlooked by the naked eye.
It's not about how good you are at it.
The success of art therapy to manage addiction is not dictated by the craftsmanship and superiority of the artwork made. Art therapy is simply a valuable medium to enable self expression, improve self awareness, and redirect negative emotions. You don't need to be artistic or talented to engage in art therapy.
Art therapy is not enough
Addiction can't be treated by art therapy alone so it is used together with other forms of therapy such as group therapy to achieve success in treatment. Furthermore, art therapy may not work well for all individuals. It is crucial that treatment plan for addiction be tailored to the person's unique needs.
The emergence of correction center to treat addiction is important to help people be cured. However, it is a reality that a huge percentage of people needing treatment for addiction do not receive treatment.
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Resources:
Aletraris, L., Paino, M., Edmond, M. B., Roman, P. M., & Bride, B. E. (2014). The use of art and music therapy in substance abuse treatment programs. Journal of addictions nursing, 25(4), 190–196. doi:10.1097/JAN.0000000000000048
