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Exploring the Benefits of Art Therapy as a Complementary Approach in Addiction
Treatment
Emily Corbett
Nipissing University
ACAD 1601: Academic Writing
Dr. Marc Plamondon
March 11, 2023
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Exploring the Efficacy of Art Therapy as a Complementary Approach in Addiction
Treatment
Addiction is a condition characterised by compulsive and repetitive engagement in
behaviour or substance, despite harmful consequences. It can involve substances such as drugs or
alcohol and gambling, shopping, or gaming. Addiction can cause changes in the brain's reward
system and lead to physical and psychological dependence. It can also negatively impact an
individual's health, relationships, and overall quality of life. The history of addiction dates back
thousands of years, with evidence of substance use and abuse found in ancient civilizations such
as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, who used substances such as opium, wine, and cannabis
for medicinal and recreational purposes, "these substances were not necessarily seen as
problematic in and of themselves, but rather as tools for achieving certain states of mind or
experiences" (Berridge and Mars 172). In the 19th century, addiction was primarily focused on
alcoholism; however, the 20th century saw a shift towards a more scientific understanding of
addiction, with research identifying the physiological and psychological processes involved. The
development of new drugs and technologies also led to the emergence of new forms of addiction.
Today, addiction is recognized as a complex and multifaceted disorder requiring a
comprehensive treatment and management approach. Addiction treatment often involves a
combination of behavioural therapy, medication, and support groups. However, a new form of
modern treatment involves art therapy. Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses creative
expression to help individuals explore and process their emotions and experiences. It can be a
valuable tool in treating addiction, as it allows individuals to express themselves in a non-verbal
way and help them gain insight into their addiction and the underlying causes. Art therapy can
take many forms, including drawing, painting, sculpting, and collage. The therapist may guide
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the individual through the creative process, using prompts and interventions to encourage
self-reflection and exploration. In this essay, I will explain how art therapy is a useful holistic
tool in combating addiction when combined with traditional treatment techniques. However,
when used alone, these more rigorous methods warrant more room for relapse and severe mental
health issues.
The overall history of addiction treatment has evolved from an ethical and spiritual
approach to a medical and scientific one. Early approaches to addiction were primarily focused
on punishment and shame, with little understanding of the underlying causes of addictive
behaviour. In the article "History of Addictions" by Virginia Berridge and Sarah Mars, the
authors note that "addiction has existed as a cultural concept throughout human history, with
various substances and behaviours becoming associated with problematic use in different times
and places" (Berridge and Mars 171). The 19th century saw the emergence of the disease model
of addiction, which viewed addiction as a disorder rather than a moral failing. This led to the
development of new treatments, including psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. The 20th
century saw the expansion of the concept of addiction to include a broader range of substances
and activities. Today, addiction treatment involves a range of approaches, including behavioural
therapies, medication-assisted treatments, and holistic approaches, such as art and music therapy.
The history of addiction treatment highlights the importance of understanding the complex
factors that contribute to addiction and the need for ongoing research and innovation in addiction
treatment.
In the essay "The Use of Art and Music Therapy in Substance Abuse Treatment
Programs" Aletraris and the contributors explore the benefits of integrating art and music therapy
into substance abuse treatment programs. The authors note that the "main assumptions
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underlying art therapy are that the patient will be able to express him/herself through a
non-verbal, imaginative, and creative exercise" (Aletraris et al. 2). They also highlight how these
therapies can promote self-awareness and help individuals develop coping skills, "such as
decreasing denial, reducing opposition to alcoholism treatment, providing an outlet for
communication, and lessening shame" (Aletraris et al. 3). The essay discusses the role of art and
music therapy in addressing underlying trauma and stress, noting that art and music therapy
interventions provide a safe space for clients to explore their past experiences and express their
emotions. Additionally, they highlight the potential for these therapies to further treatment goals
and “motivate patients to change by moving them away from reflection and into a state of
action” (Aletraris et al. 3). As well as improve mood and reduce stress levels. Overall, the
authors conclude that "use of MET [Motivational Enhancement Therapy] was positively related
to art therapy and use of CM [Contingency Management Therapy] was positively associated with
music therapy. This could suggest that art and music therapies are being used as complements to
other psychosocial treatments, which may ultimately improve patient outcomes by offering more
robust treatment options" (Aletraris et al. 11-12). They emphasise the need for further research to
fully understand the benefits of these therapies and their potential for enhancing the effectiveness
of substance use disorder treatment programs.
I strongly agree with Aletraris et al. on the main argument of this essay. The authors
argue that incorporating complementary therapies such as art and music therapy into substance
abuse treatment programs can effectively support lasting recovery for individuals with addiction.
I agree with this argument, as I believe that art and music therapy can provide a unique and
valuable form of self-expression and emotional processing that traditional therapy methods may
not always be able to offer. Art Therapy is shown to be a valuable tool when treating addiction,
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as the authors provide strong research and analysis to back up their initial theories while
displaying how to further discuss this topic. This research aligned with my experience in a
substance abuse treatment program, where I have seen firsthand the positive impact of art and
music therapy on individuals' recovery journeys. While I acknowledge that there may be
limitations to the effectiveness of art and music therapy for all individuals with addiction, I
believe that incorporating these complementary therapies into substance abuse treatment
programs can provide a more comprehensive and holistic approach to treatment that can improve
outcomes for many individuals.
However, I don’t believe it is discussed thoroughly how traditional therapy methods
alone cannot help a wide range of different people. For example, Cognitive-behavioral therapy
(CBT) is one of the most common psychology-based treatments offered and is a type of talk
therapy that focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviours. It involves
identifying and challenging negative beliefs and replacing them with positive ones. CBT also
includes behavioural techniques, such as developing coping skills and problem-solving strategies
(Vedel and Ellen et al. 2008). Art therapy instead involves using art-making as a form of
expression and exploration. Art therapy does not focus on verbal communication but instead
encourages individuals to express themselves through creativity. The art itself is used as a tool
for the exploration and understanding of emotions and experiences. While CBT can be effective
in addiction treatment, there are common limitations as it is often used to address specific issues,
such as cravings or triggers, and may not be effective for everyone. Some individuals may have
difficulty engaging with CBT due to a lack of motivation, not addressing the underlying trauma
and contributing issues, or other factors that impact their ability to participate fully in therapy.
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In some cases, trauma-focused therapies or other forms of therapy may be necessary to
address the root causes of addiction fully. Art therapy can help individuals explore and express
emotions nonverbally, especially for individuals who struggle with verbal communication.
Scientific and academic research studies also support this concept, “[art] fosters spiritual
development through both the creative process itself and in contemplating a work of art which
moves one to a higher level of understanding… and offers a model in which art therapy can be
used in treatment programs to facilitate spiritual recovery from addiction” (Feen 2013). In the
essay “Creativity and Psychopathology: A Shared Vulnerability Model”, a further study is
conducted using molecular genetic studies to show how creativity and psychopathology are
different outcomes of biological vulnerability factors, art, music, or writing therapies may
improve symptoms of psychopathology by increasing protective factors associated with
creativity (Carson 144). The author states that “people with mood disorders, SSDs, and addiction
disorders who have not displayed creative propensities may benefit from the addition of one of
the many creative therapies, such as art, creative writing, drama, or music therapy, to their
treatment regimen. Because several factors that may predispose a person to these types of
psychopathology may also predispose them to creative modes of thought, redirecting patient
interest into creative fields may help them to find a voice for their suffering and provide
productive activity” (Carson 151).
In conclusion, the essay "The Use of Art and Music Therapy in Substance Abuse
Treatment Programs” supports my argument that art therapy can be a valuable and holistic tool in
combating addiction when used with traditional treatment methods. By incorporating art therapy
into the recovery process, patients can access various benefits, including improved emotional
regulation, increased self-awareness, and enhanced communication skills. However, it is
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essential to note that art therapy should not be used as a standalone treatment for addiction.
When used alone, more rigorous treatment methods are necessary to address addiction’s
physical, mental, and emotional aspects. Furthermore, relying solely on art therapy may leave
patients vulnerable to relapse and severe mental health issues. Therefore, it is recommended that
art therapy be integrated into a comprehensive treatment plan that includes traditional therapies,
medication, and support systems. By doing so, patients can receive a more comprehensive and
holistic approach to addiction treatment, leading to better outcomes and improved quality of life.
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Works Cited
Aletraris, Lydia, et al. “The Use of Art and Music Therapy in Substance Abuse Treatment
Programs.” Journal of Addictions Nursing, vol. 25, no. 4, 2014, pp. 190–196.
https://doi.org/10.1097/jan.0000000000000048.
Baker, Felicity A., et al. “Music Therapy and Emotional Exploration: Exposing Substance Abuse
Clients to the Experiences of Non-Drug-Induced Emotions.” The Arts in Psychotherapy,
vol. 34, no. 4, 2007, pp. 321–330. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2007.04.005.
Berridge, Virginia, and Sarah Mars. “History of Addictions.” Journal of Epidemiology and
Community Health (1979-), vol. 58, no. 9, 2004, pp. 747–50. JSTOR,
http://www.jstor.org/stable/25570478. Accessed 7 Mar. 2023.
Brown, Asa Don. “Psychological Benefits of Art Therapy.” Canadian Counselling and
Psychotherapy Association, 3 July 2015,
https://www.ccpa-accp.ca/psychological-benefits-of-art-therapy/.
Carson, Shelley H. “Creativity and Psychopathology: A Shared Vulnerability Model.” The
Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, vol. 56, no. 3, 2011, pp. 144–153.
https://doi.org/10.1177/070674371105600304.
Fatayer, Jawad. “Addiction Types: A Clinical Sociology Perspective.” Journal of Applied Social
Science, vol. 2, no. 1, 2008, pp. 88–93. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/23549240.
Feen, Holly. (2013). The Use of Art Therapy in Treatment Programs to Promote Spiritual
Recovery from Addiction. Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy
Association. 12. 46-50. 10.1080/07421656.1995.10759123.
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Fuller, Jesse. “The Role of Art Therapy in Addiction Recovery.” Art Business News, 29 Sept.
2022, https://artbusinessnews.com/2022/09/the-role-of-art-therapy-in-addiction-recovery/
Mangan, Fiona. “Drug Use, Addiction, and Treatment.” Illicit Drug Trafficking and Use in
Libya: HIGHS AND LOWS, US Institute of Peace, 2020, pp. 16–21. JSTOR,
http://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep24927.6.
Murray, Krystina. “The Healing Power Of Art Therapy.” Reviewed by David Hampton,
Addiction Center, Recovery Worldwide, 28 May 2020,
https://www.addictioncenter.com/treatment/art-therapy/
Pantiel, Travis. “Treatment.” Reviewed by Dr. Ashish Bhatt, Addiction Center, 27 Jan. 2017,
https://www.addictioncenter.com/treatment/
Vedel, Ellen, et al. “Individual Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Behavioral Couples Therapy
in Alcohol Use Disorder: A Comparative Evaluation in Community-Based Addiction
Treatment Centers.” Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, vol. 77, no. 5, 2008, pp.
280–88. JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/48511101.
Wilson, Marie. “Art Therapy in Addictions Treatment: Creativity and Shame Reduction.”
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NY, 2003, pp. 281–293.
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