Art is used by everyone one way or another, in various forms all around the world. This medium enables individuals to express themselves, tap into their creative sides, communicate stories, and heal. The use of art therapy from the perspective of substance use treatment and recovery provides individuals with a unique way to process emotions, build resilience, and express their identity. Traditional approaches to substance use treatments often focus on talk therapy and medical interventions, but the use of creative therapies can provide an alternative to help bridge the gap between verbal and non-verbal communication, allowing the person to explore their experiences in art form. At Stigma Ends at CU, we believe in supporting alternative approaches to fit each individual’s journey through substance use and mental health
How is art therapy used?
Art therapy is a structured form of psychotherapy that utilizes creative expression to help individuals cope with mental health challenges, including Substance Use Disorder (SUDS). This form provides a safe, non-judgmental space for people to communicate their emotions visually, which can be particularly beneficial for those who struggle to articulate their thoughts and feelings (Aletraris et al., 2014).
Art therapy can include a wide range of art-related activities; commonly used ones include incident drawing (i.e., drawing an occurrence that happened when using substances), drawing/painting feelings, stress painting (i.e., painting while anxious and/or stressed to try to eliminate stress feelings), creating an art journal, and sculpturing. Most of the artistic procedures employed for individuals diagnosed with SUD engage patients in the art process, whereby they produce the artwork; however, some specific applications also engage interpretation and reflection on those specified artworks (Feen-Calligan et al., 2008).
Benefits
Art therapy can hold numerous benefits for patients with SUDs including– increasing treatment readiness, and providing an expressive outlet. Art creation allows individuals to communicate feelings and experiences in visual terms, allowing them to identify patterns and triggers within their behaviour. Through creative expression, individuals can process trauma, grief, and emotional distress in a positive and constructive way, reducing the reliance on substances as a coping mechanism. The act of completing an art piece fosters a sense of achievement and empowerment, reinforcing an individual’s ability to set and accomplish goals (Shukla et al., 2022). Additionally, viewing, discussing, and interpreting art can enhance group discussions, offering new perspectives and motivating individuals to transition from self-reflection to active change in their recovery journey (McCaffrey et al., 2021).
Inclusive Spaces
Apart from therapy, community arts initiatives also aim to provide more welcoming and supportive spaces for those with direct personal contact with drug use. These initiatives acknowledge the significant impact that arts can bring in making people feel respected and part of a mission while encouraging community inclusion.
Since its 1987 start, the Workman Arts Association in Canada is an example of an initiative that has been devoted to the mentorship of those artists who find themselves excluded within the mainstream of the art environment. The exhibitions and training present opportunities in every field of literature, media, performance, and visual arts geared towards empowering by the redemptive force of creative expression. Each year, Workman Arts presents the Rendezvous with Madness festival, which promotes much-needed conversation and breaks down barriers by offering films, plays, and exhibitions that raise awareness about issues pertaining to substance use and mental illness. By incorporating artistic pursuits with mental health treatment, Workman Arts creates a setting in which healing, recovery, and artistic success intersect (Workman Arts, 2022).
Another crucial initiative is the art exhibition sponsored by the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) on overdose awareness. The activity showcases Indigenous art that sparks discussion on substance use and provides individual narratives regarding the overdose crisis affecting Indigenous communities. In visual storytelling, the exhibit sparks discussions, respects lived experiences and strives to minimize the stigmatization of conversations. This exhibition not only values creativity but also promotes healing and resilience in recovery environments (FNHA, 2022).
Art therapy can play a valuable role in substance use recovery, offering individuals a creative outlet for healing and self-expression. Embracing the power of art, we can build more compassionate, inclusive communities where recovery is celebrated and supported. Whether through simple line drawings, colourful paintwork, or any other adventures, artistic expression remains a powerful tool for transformation and healing. For further information please visit Ontario Art Therapy Association Website (https://oata.ca).
Author: Ann Nguyen
References:
Aletraris, L., Paino, M., Edmond, M. B., Roman, P. M., & Bride, B. E. (2014). The Use of Art and Music Therapy in Substance Abuse Treatment Programs. Journal of Addictions Nursing, 25(4), 190. https://doi.org/10.1097/JAN.0000000000000048
FNHA. “An Overdose Conversation That Comes from the Art.” Fnha.ca, 25 Feb. 2022, www.fnha.ca/about/news-and-events/news/an-overdose-conversation-that-comes-from-the-art.
Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.
Kaimal, G., Ray, K., & Muniz, J. (2016). Reduction of Cortisol Levels and Participants’ Responses Following Art Making. Art Therapy, 33(2), 74. https://doi.org/10.1080/07421656.2016.1166832
McCaffrey, T., Higgins, P., Morrison, H., Nelligan, S., Clancy, A., Cheung, P. S., & Moloney, S. (2021). Exploring the role and impact of visual art groups with multiple stakeholders in recovery-oriented mental health services. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 72, 101748. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2020.101748
Shukla, A., Choudhari, S. G., Gaidhane, A. M., & Syed, Z. Q. (2022). Role of Art Therapy in the Promotion of Mental Health: A Critical Review. Cureus, 14(8), e28026. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.28026
Workman Arts. “Workman Arts – Our Story.” Workman Arts, 15 June 2022, workmanarts.com/our-story/. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.
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