Guest Post: Art as a Means to Fight Addiction

Today I am proud to welcome Eve who is guest blogging in The 7 Things today. Eve’s post is based her experience working with the Coalition Against Drug Abuse, during which time she discovered the important role that art and creative pursuits played in recover from drug addiction.

Art as a Means to Fight Addiction

By their nature habits are difficult to break and even more so when this has taken the form of an addiction to alcohol or drugs. The reasons for addiction are very complex and the process by which you can free yourself from their grip is not straightforward. Friends and family can provide vital support, but often this alone isn’t enough to help someone break their substance dependency. Substance abuse recovery programs however recognize this fact and take a holistic approach, helping to address all angles; this is indeed what the scientific evidence shows to be effective. The professional help that can be received from outpatient services or the likes of inpatient drug treatment in New York and beyond can help to set you on track through a range of medical and psychological input. However, these facilities also encourage participation in activities, as interests can prove invaluable during the recovery process. Art, in all its forms, is one of the activities known to be beneficial.

A constructive activity

Becoming lost in a world of drugs, alcohol or another addiction, it’s often the case that activities that were previously enjoyed – whether socializing, sport or other hobbies – are ceased. Addictions take over, but when seeking to remove these from your life, it can feel that life seems empty without them. If positive activities are not introduced, this can lead to feelings of boredom, which can itself be a temptation to restart old habits. However, picking up a musical instrument again, starting to write or experimenting with photography are all constructive ways to fill your time. If old habits are craved, creative activities can also be used as a distraction technique; if you can ride out a craving for half an hour, it will often pass. Some find that they rediscover their love of certain art forms, while it’s also the opportunity to try something new. Who is to say that this hobby won’t even lead the way to a potential career opportunity?

No better way to express yourself

Not always, but often, people turn to addictive substances as a way of dealing with difficulties they come up against in their life, which might be anything from the breakdown of a relationship to financial worries. They may make this choice, as they struggle to express themselves verbally; after all, when things have gone wrong in a major way and are still a problem, it can be difficult to talk about them. However, when you put pen to paper, pick up a paintbrush or devise a melody, this can all serve as a way for someone to release how they are feeling. This positive release of emotions means that there is now no need to use alcohol or drugs if this was the previous motivation and additionally, can prevent anxiety and low mood which can also be factors in substance abuse.

An opportunity to achieve

Self-esteem can crash during difficult times and the use of alcohol and drugs typically only compound the problem; after the initial high, you will end up feeling lower. Even during addiction treatment, if self-esteem can’t be boosted, this makes someone more susceptible to resume bad habits. The availability of opportunities to succeed is a great way to improve how you feel about yourself and art can certainly provide the chance for this. Take music. If you record a piece that you perform proficiently – whether you’ve composed it or not – and upload it to say YouTube, seeing the number of hits you get and the positive comments can lift someone’s self-esteem. Alternatively, developing a portfolio of photos you have taken and receiving recognition from an experienced photographer, also has a positive impact on the way you view yourself. Managing to get some of your writing published, whether in print or online – even if on someone’s blog or website – is yet another possible achievement.

A chance to become more focused

To kick an addiction, you need to be determined and focused. This can be easier said than done, but creative activities are a means by which someone can develop their focus, which can be applied to the road to recovery. For instance, developing new skills with regards to musical composition or performance, photographic techniques and writing in all its forms, requires dedication to continue to practice these despite any setbacks that you might cross along the way; an ideal analogy to the process of achieving freedom from an addiction.

Written by freelance writer Evelyn Blackwell.

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