How Art and Music Help in Addiction Recovery
Recovering from addiction is one of the hardest things anyone can do. While traditional treatments focus mainly on physical effects (treating withdrawal symptoms), newer research is finding that addicts to drug and alcohol can also make use of creative emotional and spiritual therapies, such as art and music therapy, to truly find success in overcoming addiction. Here are a few basics about how art and music can serve as supplemental aids in addiction recovery.
Music Therapy
Music therapy allows patients to communicate in an unconventional manner. Music is easy to access, and people don’t have to have a background in music for this kind of therapy to be effective. Music therapy can take several forms depending on the patient: listening to music, using one’s musical ability to play songs, learning a new instrument, writing songs, discussing music and more.
Listening to music can be soothing and calming, whether you’re tuning in on the radio or visiting a world-renowned concert hall. It can release stress and anxiety, promote optimism and help patients work through the shame and guilt they feel. Keeping a journal to record your thoughts in response to various songs can also be helpful.
Creating their own music gives recovering addicts a chance to be productive and creative as they find their own expression apart from drugs and alcohol. Writing song lyrics that express emotion in reaction to their situation can also be a powerful tool for healing. Playing music together with other recovering patients can help everyone learn to work together and promote their healing as a group.
Art Therapy
Art therapy similarly allows patients to expand their methods of communication in healthy new ways, allowing them to express thoughts and feelings they may not be able to verbalize otherwise. It has proven to be especially helpful for recovering addicts who are also dealing with underlying psychological or traumatic issues that may have led to their addiction, such as abuse. Creating art is a non-verbal process, so it gives people a chance to explore issues they may not feel comfortable discussing in a normal conversation. This kind of therapy is even worth a try for people who don’t think they are artists, as they might be surprised at what they uncover about themselves.
Painting
Whether it’s watercolor, acrylic, or oils, painting is a wonderful way for those suffering with addiction to cope. Not only is painting a quiet, soothing activity, it allows an artist to bring out whatever emotions they’re dealing with onto the paper or canvas, and leave them there. Because drugs and alcohol can dull a person’s emotions, painting can bring you back to yourself, little by little.
Other Mediums
Other artistic mediums can serve in similar ways as they address the needs of the whole person. Whether it’s dancing, sculpting, drawing, acting or another medium, artistic self-expression can go a long way toward patients’ recovery as they reduce their stress, find insights into their behavior and engage their whole body in recovery. When patients use art or music therapy in a group setting, it can often lead to breakthroughs they wouldn’t find on their own. As people share experiences, they grow closer and provide support to one another. Other interactive therapies have proven useful including equine and animal therapy, yoga and even cooking.
While music and art therapy cannot heal addictions on their own, they can certainly play an impactful role as a coordinated part of a larger overall treatment program. Music and art are tools we have been given that function in a wide variety of ways, from entertainment to healing. It’s encouraging to see how they are used for good as people work to overcome their addictions and get back to living a normal life.
Photo from Unsplash
Rufus Carter has been in recovery for 9 years. For the past 6 years, he has worked as a personal trainer. His website, www.recoveringworks.com, organizes resources for anyone in recovery who is trying to choose their career path. With the site, he hopes to help those in recovery create fulfilling and lucrative careers.
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