Additionally, other evidence shows that learning techniques for mood and emotion regulation can be beneficial for treating SUDs because they can reduce cravings. Generally, people view art therapy as a therapeutic method to use with other forms of therapy. This is especially true for substance use disorders (SUDs), where ongoing recovery is so important. Professionals have used art therapy to help clients with a wide range of conditions, including emotional, physical, and psychological problems as well as with various diseases and disorders. Meditation is becoming more available as a holistic treatment for substance abuse. Individuals seeking a life of transformation can begin so by contacting a treatment provider who can place them in a facility offering yoga and meditation.
Art therapy, as a non-pharmacological medical complementary and alternative therapy, has been used as one of medical interventions with good clinical effects on mental disorders. However, systematically reviewed in detail in clinical situations is lacking. Here, we searched on PubMed for art therapy in an attempt to explore its theoretical basis, clinical applications, and future perspectives to summary its global pictures. Since drawings and paintings have been historically recognized as a useful part of therapeutic processes in art therapy, we focused on studies of art therapy which mainly includes painting and drawing as media. After carefully reading full articles, we found that art therapy has been gradually and successfully used for patients with mental disorders with positive outcomes, mainly reducing suffering from mental symptoms.
The Role of Art and Music Therapies in Substance Abuse Treatment
Fostering a nonjudgmental, compassionate approach toward yourself is essential to maintain sobriety. Foster a nonjudgmental, compassionate approach toward ourselves and our experiences. Change relationship to discomfort, learn to recognize challenging emotional and physical experiences, and respond to them in skillful ways. Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist and international bestselling author. Her books, including “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do,” have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk, “The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong,” is one of the most viewed talks of all time.
The goal of art therapy is for the individual to expand their methods of communication to convey better their life experiences, pain, joy, feelings, and hope for the future. The development of art therapy comes partly from the artistic expression of the belief in unspoken things, and partly from the clinical work of art therapists in the medical setting with various groups of patients addiction meditation (Malchiodi, 2013). Mental disorders constitute a huge social and economic burden for health care systems worldwide (Zschucke et al., 2013; Kenbubpha et al., 2018). In China, the lifetime prevalence of mental disorders was 24.20%, and 1-month prevalence of mental disorders was 14.27% (Xu et al., 2017). The situation is more severely in other countries, especially for developing ones.
Art therapy encourages clients to consider the consequences of their addiction.
The recovery process is more or less involved depending on the type of addiction. While a few people are able to “kick the habit” and detox on their own, most others will benefit from the support provided by fellow addicts in recovery and therapy. And that brings us back to the aforementioned mask project.
- According to the same study published in the Journal of Addictions Nursing, both therapies have documented benefits when used as part of an addiction treatment plan.
- Art therapy is a form of expression that opens the door to communication without verbal interaction.
- Art therapy in hospitals and clinical settings could be very helpful to aid treatment and therapy, and to enhance communications between patients and on-site medical staffs in a non-verbal way.
- Recently, one study (Jalambadani, 2020) using 40 children with ASD participating in painting therapy showed that painting therapy had a significant improvement in the social interactions, adaptive behaviors and emotions.
- A John F. Kennedy study revealed a 65% boost in the minds of participants during meditation.
- Second, the evaluation methods for the effectiveness of art therapy need to be as diverse as possible.
Music therapy, too, has a history of helping people through recovery. Music therapy promotes relaxation, decreases anxiety, depression, and stress, discourages relapse, and makes patients more willing to engage in treatment. Art therapy is a type of experiential therapy (Therapy based on doing or participating in certain activities) that utilizes the creative process and a variety of mediums (painting, drawing, sculpting, and more) to help clients heal. This approach to therapy is always completed with the assistance of a licensed art therapist, who guides the client through specific activities.
Becoming an Art Therapist
An added benefit is that feelings of stress and anxiety are lessened as someone is partaking in an enjoyable activity. Moreover, if someone struggles with a poor attention span, they can connect with each moment as they create artwork. Lastly, painful emotions are released as individuals explore their emotions and realize their potential as they create art. In a 2017 study, researchers found that practicing mindfulness in MBRP may reduce the link between craving and substance use and increase resilience for relapse. In 2014, a randomized control trial (RCT), the gold standard trial for evaluating the effectiveness of interventions, was conducted by Bowen and colleagues.