Art Therapy For Addiction
At our Clearbrook rehab in Massachusetts, using art therapy for addiction recovery is an inventive method for people to express their pain or help them find joy in their suffering while on the road to recovery. Our professional staff takes addiction and mental health very seriously, which is why we offer residential mental health treatment along with unique therapy programs, including art therapy. We utilize an approach that makes the treatment process less traditional and more adaptive so the patient can receive what they need to reach their goals. Art therapy includes a creative and unique approach to recovering from a disorder that is a difficult and distressing experience.
Using Art for Therapy
Adult coloring books have become more popular as of late to encourage relaxation during times of stress. These coloring books encourage adults to focus on the present, relax, and detach from unpleasant thoughts. Despite this connection between coloring and stress relief, experts don’t consider this art therapy.
However, it does illustrate the advantage of using art therapy for addiction recovery. Art therapy honors the transformational capacity of creative expression and is founded on healing through art. This method has been used to help with anxiety, eating disorders, cancer treatment, and the management of substance use disorder recovery.
Art therapy incorporates art-making through a creative process, applying psychological theory, and adding expressiveness through the recovery process. Art therapy techniques such as painting, drawing, photography, sketching, sculpting, or doodling are used to improve cognitive and sensory-motor functions, promoting insight while enhancing social skills and reducing distress.
Benefits of art therapy for addiction include:
- Improved self-esteem
- Improved communication skills
- Pain management
- Reduced stress and anxiety
Our master-level clinicians honor individuals’ values and beliefs while challenging a person to express themselves if they are enduring a mental health disorder or fighting addiction. Art therapy can help a person grow in character as they are seeking emotional and spiritual awakening.
Finding Art Therapy Near Me
Many people tend to have a difficult time opening up when needing to verbalize their emotions. Yet, art therapy uses kinesthetic, sensory, perceptual, and symbolic opportunities for patients to challenge themselves in a healthy manner that invites alternative modes of receptive and expressive communication. Our art therapy ideas for addiction include line art, making meditative artwork, painting emotions, or even finger painting, relieving tension and stress from cravings, and positively distracting and encouraging the mind.
When used alongside other treatments, art therapy can be highly successful. At our Massachusetts inpatient drug rehab, the programs are built with a compassionate and professional medical team of doctors, nurses, and licensed therapists. If you or a loved one is suffering from substance abuse, we know how to safely get you through withdrawals and help you see recovery.
As one of few art therapy programs in Massachusetts, Clearbrook’s art program for addiction offers unique and hard-to-find support for you or a loved one. For more information about our levels of care, contact Clearbrook Treatment Centers today.
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