How Creating Art Can Reduce Anxiety, Stress and Addiction

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How, exactly, can creating art help someone deal with negative emotions such as anxiety and stress? What happens in an art therapy session? Why are holistic, comprehensive approaches for managing inner turmoil more effective than treatments that only revolve around talking or taking medication?



As an artist sharing content online, I've made it a priority to not only share helpful tips and tutorials that help others progress their technical skills, but also articles and videos providing insights and habits I've set in place that have allowed me to improve my mindset and wellbeing.  

Our physical and mental health permeate, quite literally, into all areas of our lives (personal, professional, interpersonal).

Plus, being an artist can not only be incredibly challenging in a variety of ways, but lonely too. 

In the past, I've shared how I've struggled with Generalized Anxiety Disorder since my teenage years and how, since making my mental/physical wellbeing a priority and started embracing more positive practices and routines, I've become way happier, as well as more focused and energized.  

This, of course, has helped me be a lot more productive, which has led to much greater success with my art creation and business overall. 

Alongside my art creation and everything I do revolving around my business, I'm constantly reading, researching and putting to use new information that I feel could help me improve my life, as a working artist and educator, even more. 

And I'll keep sharing with you guys, in hopes that some of you may find it helpful too. 


Because of the current worldwide pandemic, its negative effects on our economies and the social injustices/inequalities that are becoming more and more evident, a lot of us are struggling with negative emotions such as worry and overwhelm at a deeper level than we normally would. 

This is why I'm incredibly happy to be sharing an article written for us by professional writer, Patrick Bailey, who has studied the fields of mental health and addiction for years. 

Patrick's article helps clarify what happens during an art therapy session and why creative activities are such a great way to cope with negative emotions.

This information is enlightening even for those of us who don't struggle with severe mental illnesses.


​Without much further ado, let's get into his article!

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How Creating Art Can Reduce Conditions Such as Anxiety, Stress, and Addiction

by Patrick Bailey


Chronic stress and anxiety are leading underlying causes of substance use disorders (SUDs) or addiction. These conditions can make it more difficult for you or your loved one to quit. 

In the context of addiction treatment, creating art can help you relax and be more willing to address drug or alcohol use disorder. Art therapy provides a healthy, alternative way to cope with stress, anxiety, and other conditions that often co-occur with substance abuse.




What is Creative Art Therapy?

Art therapy is a form of experiential therapy that has been used to treat substance abuse since the 1950's. There is scientific evidence that backs up the efficacy of using creative expression to confront past trauma that triggers stress or anxiety, or leads to self-destructive behaviors.

Substance abuse is often caused or exacerbated by co-occurring conditions such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Alcohol and drug rehab centers are still using art therapy as part of a multidisciplinary and holistic approach to substance abuse treatment.

Treatment specialists initially focused on using evidence-based treatments such as medication therapy, behavioral therapy, and contingency management as recovery tools.

Today, holistic therapies such as art, poetry, music, and dance help individuals in rehab to connect with their emotions and express them in various ways.

Other forms of creative expressions are:

• Crafting
• Art journaling
• Creating collages or mosaics
• Drawing, painting, or sculpting emotions​​

​These and other creative activities also provide a way for people to process
negative emotions and anxieties that may show up during their treatment.
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The Role of Art Therapy in Substance Abuse Treatment 

Psychotherapy is also known as talk therapy, but talking is not always the most effective way to express the emotions that emerge in the recovery process.

Artistic creations give you a less stressful way to describe your emotions and help your therapist better understand your recovery needs. Your therapist may also encourage you to discuss them during individual talk therapy and group therapy.

The ultimate goal of using arts-based methods for rehabilitation is to improve the mental, physical, and emotional well-being of the person. 

The creative processes also are a good addiction management technique that can make recovery easier by:

• Providing a safe, non-addictive way of emotional release
• Helping the client admit the addiction
• Motivating change in behaviors
• Stimulating a desire to sober up
• Reducing the shame and guilt of addiction

Artistic activities help by acting as a door that opens up to a place or part of themselves from which patients are running. 

There is a type of art therapy called incident drawing that lets you illustrate your feelings and experiences of feeling out of control or self-destructive via drawing. 

Seeing the images on paper is a powerful way to help you connect the dots and see the role stress and anxiety play in substance abuse. 

Finally recognizing that addiction is a problem makes you more willing to stay in treatment and commit to long-term sobriety.



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What Happens During Art Therapy Sessions?

Art therapy is facilitated by a professional art therapist, someone who is trained in using art as a medium for healing and recovery. Therapy takes place at an inpatient or outpatient treatment center in a structured and supportive environment.

Interestingly, you don't need to have a special talent or a background in the arts to get involved. The purpose of art therapy isn’t to produce quality artwork but to help clients become healthy.

You only need to be open to the idea of speaking your truth using art-based methods when words alone cannot explain it all. The art therapist needs to be ready for all the mixed emotions that may emerge from the process. 

Expect your therapist to provide a variety of art supplies such as paper, canvas, cloth, paint, crayons, and clay. Don't worry. There is no need to create anything that looks perfect; the focus will be on the creative process rather than the finished product.

Some programs allow you to create your art pieces independently or work on a group project with others. The program structure and your schedule will help determine the approach.

After you're finished, your therapist may interpret your creation or encourage you to focus on the healing the process brings. You may be asked to explain how you feel the art—painting, drawing, or crafting, for example—helps you.

​Enrolling in an Art Therapy Program

Art therapy helps clients in rehab overcome addiction and live a healthy life.

It allows you to release stress, anger, and frustration, regain confidence, build self-acceptance, and improve self-esteem.

Many addiction treatment centers offer a creative arts program as a part of a comprehensive treatment program that addresses the "whole person." 

Other modalities include individual therapy, group therapy, 12-Step meetings, family counseling, fitness, nutritional counseling, and recreational outings.

When looking for a treatment facility, it's important to consider one that uses an integrative approach to recovery.





Sources:
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07421656.2016.1166832?journalCode=uart20 -  Reduction of Cortisol Levels and Participants' Responses Following Art Making
​- https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/evidence-based-approaches-to-drug-addiction-treatment - Evidence-Based Approaches to Drug Addiction Treatment
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4268880/#R2 - The Use of Art and Music Therapy in Substance Abuse Treatment Programs
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​Sending out a huge thank you to Patrick for this enlightening article. 

​To find more of his helpful wellness articles, visit his website here. 

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Cheers!

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