When we imagine substance abuse treatment, most of us picture medication-assisted detox and some intensive, evidence-based therapy. While these things are absolutely helpful and even necessary, there are plenty of alternative treatments out there as well. Some people are naturally skeptical of things that fall outside the lines of hard science, and they might be unwilling to try therapies that sound a little out of the box. It’s only natural to be a little wary of things you don’t understand, but you might be missing out on an important opportunity to further your recovery.
One possible alternative is art therapy. It probably has one of the worst – unfounded – raps, simply because it sounds silly or because people who are no good at art think they won’t be able to do it. There’s a soap opera on television right now where a reformed serial killer/artist managed to get a job at a hospital doing art therapy with kids. Putting aside the serial killer aspect (it was a brain tumor! He’s clearly not responsible according to the laws of daytime TV), this man has absolutely no training or experience with therapy. Most of the sessions appear to be kids drawing terrible representations of trees while occasionally having outbursts about their parents.
Luckily, real life doesn’t have much in common with television, and art therapy can be a real help to people looking for an outlet for their emotions. Art therapists should be trained in both art and psychology, and instead of setting you loose on a canvas to paint your feelings, they help guide you through exercises meant to help you express yourself and identify your emotional responses. It’s like journaling, in a way, because it gives you an outlet to express your creativity while also channeling your emotions into something positive and productive.
Art therapy could be beneficial for people who aren’t having luck with more traditional counseling. Some people might be so introverted or anxious that they find it impossible to speak in front of a crowd or even to a single therapist. Or maybe they’re too overwhelmed with embarrassment and shame to want to share their stories. Using art, they can find an outlet for some of the things they aren’t able to talk about. Sometimes, once you’ve got whatever is on your mind on the page as an image, it can be easier to actually speak about it.
You don’t have to be any good at art to benefit from art therapy. If the best you can manage is some colorful blobs but you still found it therapeutic to create, then you’ve accomplished what you set out to do. It can also be good stress relief. Anyone who’s ever picked up a coloring book as an adult knows that there’s just something soothing about losing yourself in a place where all you have to worry about is what color to pick next.
If you or a loved one need help with quitting drugs or alcohol, consider Asana Recovery. We offer medical detox, along with both residential and outpatient programs, and you’ll be supervised by a highly trained staff of medical professionals, counselors, and therapists. Call us any time at (949) 438-4504 to get started.
