Art Therapy for Addiction in Akron, OH

Addiction treatment looks different for every person—and a lot of this is due to the fact that substance abuse looks different for every person as well.

At Skypoint Recovery in Akron, Ohio, we believe the first step to a successful recovery from addiction begins with finding the right treatment plan for your individual needs.

If you are interested in more holistic mental health treatment that gives you a safe space to process your personal journey with addiction, art therapy could be a great fit for you. Through art therapy sessions, an art therapist guides you in creative techniques as an outlet for your emotions and inner dialogue while in treatment. And one of the best parts about art therapy is that it gives you a healthy outlet that you can take with you after your time in substance abuse treatment.

Read on to learn about what art therapy looks like at Skypoint Recovery Ohio – and how you begin your substance abuse treatment journey today.

What is Art Therapy?

Art therapy is an evidence-based treatment option that is used for a wide variety of mental health issues.

Since its beginnings in 20th-century Europe, it has helped many patients put their nonverbal thoughts and feelings into physical artistic images. Types of art therapy include work in sculpting, coloring, drawing, painting, photography, collage work—and many other options. You don’t have to be an artist to benefit from art therapy, as long as you’re open to participating in the creative process!

Therapy for addiction is usually focused on two goals. First, individuals struggling with substance use disorders are encouraged to explore the root cause of their addiction to better help them understand how to make better choices in the first. And second, mental health treatment for addiction works to help a person develop healthier coping skills they can turn to in place of substance abuse in the future. Art therapy accomplishes both of these in one space.

Art therapy techniques have been proven to be effective in treating individuals struggling with autism, anxiety, depression, past trauma, personality disorders, and substance use disorders.

Types of Art Therapy

Depending on which treatment centers you are considering, the art therapy offered might vary.

There are two main art therapy techniques that are used in treating drug and alcohol addiction, both of which model similar reflections found in 12 Step programs. Each option gives the patient a safe space to process their thoughts and feelings as they work through treatment:

The First Step Series

This is a five-part art project focused on change in a person’s life.

Patients create art to manifest what led them to seek treatment and the bridge they need to cross to begin addiction recovery. They are also prompted to design a collage that expresses the costs and benefits of substance use vs. sobriety, along with a portrayal of what they could achieve a year from now after treatment. The final step includes creating art that expresses what barriers they might face in their recovery journey.

Each part of the First Step Series can help individuals in treatment better understand the power they hold each day in seeking sobriety.

Transforming Self-Portraits

This activity draws important lines between experience and emotion. Through this project, patients create three distinct self-portraits, each focused on a different part of their recovery journey. Self-portraits can be made through drawing, painting, collage, or sculpture. These self-portraits are most effective when they are more symbolic than literal.

The first self-portrait is used to express a negative experience from the patient’s past and how it made them feel. The second is a representation of where they are now in their recovery process, and the third is meant to show how they want to exist in their hopeful future.

How does Art Therapy Help with Substance Use Disorder (SUD)?

Through the creative process of art therapy, patients in addiction recovery practice important problem-solving skills that they can use in their life outside of substance abuse treatment.

This is especially true when art therapy is practiced in support groups. In group therapy options, patients can also practice talking about how their art makes them feel. Art therapists may ask questions like “What emotions are brought up by this piece of art?” and “How does this piece relate to your healing process?”

These discussions allow both the artist and other individuals in their support group to begin putting words to other thoughts and feelings they are experiencing as part of recovery.

Skypoint Recovery Ohio: Frequently Asked Questions

You are not likely to find a substance abuse treatment center as dedicated as Skypoint Recovery anywhere else in Akron, Ohio. Our team of addiction specialists stands apart because we believe in treating the whole person through every step of addiction recovery.

Finding the best substance abuse treatment for your personal needs can feel overwhelming. To help get you started in the right direction, check out these frequently asked questions from our previous clients.

Do I have to be an artist to enjoy art therapy?

Not at all! In fact, some of the best patient experiences with art therapy involve individuals who wouldn’t describe themselves as creative at all. Art therapy encourages presence over perfection, which is a crucial mindset for individuals in substance use recovery.

How do I know if art therapy is right for me?

Art therapy can be especially helpful for individuals who are struggling with co-occurring disorders. If you are battling mental health issues like depression or other mood disorders on top of substance abuse, art therapy can help.

By improving your self-esteem and giving yourself a positive outlet for negative feelings, art therapy can ultimately help you believe you deserve a life of sobriety.

Is art therapy covered by insurance?

Most mental health insurance coverage will not pay for art therapy on its own. However, art therapy can be a great tool that is used as part of other therapy treatment options.

If you are especially interested in how art therapy could help you, make sure to ask if it can be included as part of traditional cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) sessions.

The Skypoint Recovery Difference

As one of the largest cities in the state of Ohio, Akron is known for its diverse art scene and beautiful historic buildings. But when you choose the road to a sober life at Skypoint Recovery, you will get to enjoy the quiet and peaceful side of Akron culture.

At Skypoint Recovery, we will help you get away from the noise and chaos of your daily life so you can focus on your individual mental and physical needs. Our main goal of Skypoint Recovery substance abuse treatment is to help you take control of your life again!

Contact Skypoint Recovery today to learn how we can best help support you on your journey toward rehabilitation.