Art therapy, also known as art psychotherapy, refers to the practice of having patients create art as a way to promote and advance the mental, physical, and emotional growth, healing, and recovery of those struggling with a substance addiction. Art therapy is typically combined with other forms of therapy as part of a holistic and comprehensive substance addiction treatment program.
Addiction professionals believe that art therapy is an effective way to provide patients with a much-needed emotional outlet that can help them learn to better express themselves in the future. In addition to its use in addiction treatment, art therapy has also been used in the treatment of clinically diagnosable mental health disorders like schizophrenia and anorexia and is commonly used as a way to help those struggling to overcome trauma or suffering from physical diseases like cancer or chronic illness.
While most art therapy programs will involve the creation of art, like paintings, drawing, and sculpture, to help the patient gain insight and work through their issues, sometimes it will involve the viewing of art, with the therapist asking the patient to describe the feelings they experience in reaction to the art.
The Asana Recovery Center offers a supervised detoxification and residential treatment program that includes a variety of different behavioral therapies as well as art therapy. Call us at (949) 438-4504 to learn more about our treatment options for substance addiction today.
